Prompting those post-church conversations

Leading our church service last Sunday, I remarked that church was like a lot of different things:

• A school: we come to learn from God's Word
• A Family: to spend time with our brothers and sisters, and just enjoy being together
• A hospital: we all come spiritually sick, and in need of care, nurture and God's forgiveness.

It was a throwaway line to introduce the confession we said together but, in a way I hadn't planned or foreseen, its real value came after the meeting as we mingled for coffee.

I find it quite awkward sometimes to open up conversations with people at a level deeper than "How was your week?" I usually find myself talking about the kids rather than about Christ.

But on Sunday, I just asked people this simple question: "What did you need most this morning - a school, a family or a hospital?"

It opened up a series of brilliant conversations about the sermon, our human needs, and about some doubts and other issues people were concerned about. It felt like fellowship ought to. Real, natural, open, non-judgmental and caring.

Why not try it this Sunday morning... and why not help me for next time I lead a service, by leaving a comment suggesting another way to prompt some Christ-centred post-church conversations?