May 25, 2010

Say "YES AND..."


Last fall I got to do a video interview with Recycle Your Faith. We sat and talked for a couple hours, and they posted one clip a while back. Here's another clip ...

I was talking about a rule in improv: never deny what someone brings into the scene. Don't say NO BUT ... say YES AND ... here's how I try to apply it to faith ...


Just Say Yes from Recycle Your Faith on Vimeo.

Wonder if this rings true or false to you in your discussions with others, or as you wrestle with your own faith??

8 comments:

Heather Palacios said...

The "Yes, and" reminds me of the convo Jesus had w/ the poor skanky chic who was hanging out at the well. Because He guided the convo in a "Yes, and" way the bible teaches she RAN to her CITY & told the whole town about this wonderful Jesus.

I was a skanky girl hanging out at "wells," when a loving group approached me in a "Yes, And" way. Today, as a pastor, I'm so grateful they did.

Great thoughts, Susan. This is book content! For real!

Big Chaff said...

Susan this is really wonderful, something we all need to hear.

KristyWes said...

Hey Susan, found your blog after reading ACWG. Great video! I'm a Christian and an Improviser, and I love when those two facets of my life intersect & inform one another. Thanks for this reminder to keep "yes and-ing" outside of Improv. I think that's a key way to keep dialogue open and ongoing, especially when discussing personal beliefs. Loved it!

Unknown said...

I like your approach, because it makes for genuine conversation, versus just shooting down someone else's ideas if they don't match up with a "Christian answer."

The thing I always ask myself in conversations--what type of response would I appreciate from the other person? I want to feel that I've been heard. Don't we all? Thanks for this post.

Claudia said...

Great way to express how to come alongside someone. Reminds me a little of the approach in a book called 'Evangelism made slightly less difficult' (great title, huh?) that I read a few years ago - really thought provoking.

I think as Christians we can be antagonists, because we fear that if we really listen to what that person is saying (about reincarnation, for example) and engage with it, then we will have to admit that actually, God doesn't have the answer to how they see the world, or that actually somehow the gospel IS irrelevant to them. But he always does. And it never is.

I'm going to consciously be thinking 'yes, and...' next time... thanks!

Tyler McCabe said...

This is so great! Thank you.

Anonymous said...

So that's what I've been doing wrong all these years in the improv class that is life.

Evelyn said...

I just finished reading ACWG, so of course I immediately checked out your blog!

This is such a good idea!

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