Member-only story

Winsome Conviction: Disagreeing Without Dividing the Church

Vernon Blair

·2.7k Followers· Follow

Published in Richard Langer

4 min read · 1 week before

419 View Claps

24 Respond

Save

Listen

In a time of increasing polarization and division, it is more important than ever to be able to disagree without dividing. Winsome Conviction by Amy Orr-Ewing and Greg Gilbert offers a much-needed guide to having difficult conversations in a way that preserves unity and builds up the body of Christ.

What is Winsome Conviction?

Winsome conviction is the ability to hold our convictions strongly while still treating others with respect and kindness. It is not about winning arguments or silencing dissent, but about seeking truth and unity in the midst of disagreement.

Winsome Conviction: Disagreeing Without Dividing the Church

by Richard Langer

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2336 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	206 pages

Orr-Ewing and Gilbert argue that winsome conviction is essential for the health of the church. When we are unable to disagree without dividing, we create a toxic environment that drives people away from Christ and from each other.

How to Practice Winsome Conviction

Orr-Ewing and Gilbert offer a number of practical tips for practicing winsome conviction. These include:

Listen first. Before you speak, take the time to listen to what the other person is saying. Really try to understand their point of view, even if you don't agree with it.
Be respectful. Even if you disagree with someone, treat them with respect. This means listening to them without interrupting, avoiding personal attacks, and using polite language.
Focus on the issue. Don't let the conversation get sidetracked by personal attacks or irrelevant issues. Stay focused on the issue at hand and try to find common ground.
Be willing to compromise. In some cases, it may be necessary to compromise in Free Download to reach agreement. This doesn't mean giving up your convictions, but it does mean being willing to find a solution that both parties can accept.
Pray for unity. Prayer is a powerful tool for building unity in the midst of disagreement. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your conversations and help you to find common ground.

Benefits of Winsome Conviction

Practicing winsome conviction can have a number of benefits for the church, including:

Increased unity. When we are able to disagree without dividing, we create a more unified church. This is a church where people feel safe to share their thoughts and opinions, even if they are different from the majority.
Greater understanding. Winsome conviction allows us to better understand different perspectives. This can help us to grow in our own faith and to be more effective in our witness to others.
More effective evangelism. When the church is unified and able to disagree without dividing, it is more attractive to outsiders. This can lead to more people coming to faith in Christ.

Winsome Conviction is a timely and important book that offers a much-needed guide to having difficult conversations in a way that preserves unity and builds up the body of Christ. If you are interested in learning more about winsome conviction, I encourage you to read this book.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful: