Why the Spiritually Curious and Practicing Christians Struggle to Connect

Practicing Christians' need for closure makes it difficult for practicing Christians to have spiritual conversations with the Spiritually Curious.

A Few Definitions from Mark Matlock

Practicing Christians- have made a commitment to Jesus that is still important in their life today and attend church at least monthly. 

Spiritually Curious- “adults who are not part of the Christian church (meaning they are non-Christians or Non-practicing Christians), yet they believe there is a real spiritual dimension and show high levels of curiosity."

The Need for Closure and Curiosity (descriptions also from Mark Matlock)

Practicing Christians have a higher need for closure than the general population. Someone with a high need for closure:

• Prefers quick decisions over prolonged uncertainty
• Feels uncomfortable with open-ended or unresolved situations
• Relies on familiar patterns or stereotypes to make sense of things
• Is less willing to revisit or revise a decision once it’s made

The Spiritually Curious

• Enjoy spending time thinking about new ideas
• Believe being open to wherever faith leads is more important that being certain about religious beliefs
• "Growing" is the top adjective they use to describe their spirituality.

The difference over the need for closure means that when Practicing Christians and the Spiritually Curious discuss faith, cultures will clash. The Spiritually Curious want safety around doubt, while many with a high need for closure are made nervous by doubt.

What's the path forward?

Luke and I discuss on the newest episode of "To Know and Love God."

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4jKdwKTo5uSl0SZUlhBw1F?si=kNXxYVfXT02Epox33Abx0w