| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
By Dennis McCallum & Doug Patch “What kind of dinner party would you like to go to if invited?”If there is something special about the evening, it would make it more attractive. If the food was going to be exotic and unusual, this would be intriguing; high quality standards are important. We stay away from commonplace or simple menus for this reason. A discussion after dinner on an interesting topic might add to the evening. Knowing the atmosphere will be relaxed and that beer and wine are served would appeal to some as well. A Conversation and Cuisine event normally involves a weekend-evening dinner party where home group members invite their non-Christian friends and family to socialize, dine and join in a discussion afterward. Naturally there is no cost to the guest. We arrange for a facilitator to present and lead a discussion on an interesting, yet not highly controversial topic. Sometimes the facilitator is from that home group, often not. Regardless, they have researched and are knowledgeable about the topic. They will help keep the discussion moving forward, bring to light facts that are interesting to everyone, and hopefully have helped demonstrate that Christians can be respectful of all views. One "touch" that helps set the evening apart is the written invitation that is designed and used. This visually communicates the evening is worth coming to, and describes the food and discussion succinctly, yet attractively. We should ALWAYS verbalize to our guest as we invite them, that “our home Bible study hosts the event, although the evening is not in the least a Bible study; all views are welcomed.” Not acknowledging the connection between the C&C and your home group would be a “bait & switch.” Menus, facilitators and invitation designs are shared between the various home groups who host C&Cs. This significantly minimizes "reinventing the wheel" and even more, adds to the quality and enjoyment of events as we share ideas. >> 1. What is Conversation & Cuisine? |
|
