Lauren starts this week's episode by talking about how she sees so many people on social media (specifically Facebook) feel like they must be right, no matter what, which can lead to comment wars. Rick jumps in by sharing that he sees how social media can allow people to vent inappropriately without feelings like there are consequences. Rick also shares that there's a difference between sharing something that is factually correct and sharing something that's just your opinion, but pretending that it's a fact. There's nothing wrong with disagreement, Rick says, but we have to disagree in a respectful way.

Lauren then discloses that she can struggle with listening to understand instead of just listening to reply. Rick agrees and voices that it's important to truly listen when someone shares their strong opinions, and not just write someone off as being "that person." Rick stresses that you have to have empathy in a relationship in order to have real dialogue and trust. Rick shares a personal example from his background of putting people in a stereotype box.

Lauren moves the conversation along by asking how do we learn how to talk about our different opinions with each other and not be divided. Rick answers by saying that we have to see others' opinions through their experiences, and respect each others' differences. He shares a perfect example of the pastors of Fellowship's multiple campuses; these pastors vote differently, think differently, and act differently, but trust has been built in their relationships, so they can all work together. Lauren shares her own example of a recent situation where she was wrong about a button in her car, but insisted at first that she was right. She also shares the example of learning things in regards to her bi-racial daughter from the people of color in her life.

Rick and Lauren then spend some time discussing how important it is to sit with people and learn their perspectives and experiences without an agenda, because that's how we will grow trust and build the relationship. Rick emphasizes that it's not a threat to our personal opinions to hear the perspective of others.

To close, Rick expresses that the more we move away from adversarial conversations to hospitable and invitational conversations, the better we will be as a society.

For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org