Seeking

Actively seeking answers about spiritual things. Exploring Christianity and other belief systems.

"I am still looking for answers!"

People in Seeking are constantly looking for answers to spiritual questions, which are often about something other than Christianity. They are exploring Christianity as well as other very different belief systems.

What people in Seeking say

“If someone is super anti-Christian, they might see a demon; if they are super Christian, they might see an angel. They get what they put into it.”

“There are multiple religions in this world with each religion having its own god. But I believe God is one be it Jesus, Allah, Buddha, or Shiva. I want to find out the true meaning of life and understand what God is and where does he live. Is he close to us or is he far away?”

“My boyfriend is a Christian. Since we started dating, I’ve been looking into Christianity more…to understand his belief system…”

At-a-glance

Usually has experienced a positive Christian influence
Typically exploring multiple belief systems; Christianity may just be one of them
They seek Christianity or spirituality for themselves, not just out of curiosity
Unlikely to be “de-churched”

Insights & attributes

How They Explore

Typically they explore by talking with a Christian friend or by using an online search engine.

Sources of Truth

Logical reason, personal experience, and science are the typical sources of truth those in Seeking rely on.

Likely Know a Christian

Usually have experienced a Christian who was a positive influence on them.

Seeking Broadly

They are seeking potentially many belief systems, and Christianity is just one of them

Actively Seeking

Those in Seeking are actively and consistently looking for answers to spiritual questions. They are not passively seeking.

Difference in Religions

Typically seeking answers in a variety of belief systems and do not see a big difference between Christianity and other religions or belief systems.

Where and why people move

No Christian Community

Not having access to a healthy Christian community where they can ask questions and explore.

No Freedom to Explore

Not having access to safe spaces where they can explore Christianity on their own terms.

Move to Professing or Growing

Typically move to Professing or Growing when they become Christians.

Meaningful Community

Movement toward Professing typically happens within the context of a loving, trusted community setting.

People in Seeking actively seek the truth, but they do it on their own terms. Ask God to give you wisdom and patience.
Ask God to lead them to reliable sources in their search for truth.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal the truth of the gospel to them. Express to God that you believe that their faith journey is ultimately beyond your control, and you believe that you are free from having to manipulate them.
Pray that God would lead you to these people in your community - they may be found in unexpected places.

Offer a safe environment to hear about their journey. What are they learning? What questions do they have? What are the deeper needs at the root of their questions?
If they are open to it, offer a book or resource from someone who went through a similar process of spiritual exploration in their journey to following Jesus.
As one important source of truth is their own experiences, ask them if they ever had an experience that they could only explain with God’s intervention. It gives you a good starting point.
Be ready to vulnerably, yet appropriately, share the difference that Jesus makes in your life today. Following Jesus doesn’t solve your problems, but He is with you in the midst of your failures and life’s challenges.
Online search engines are often one of the first places a person in Seeking will go to look for answers to their questions about spirituality. How can you make sure your ministry’s offerings for this stage are findable and accessible in a way that makes sense to them?
Do your own research - what are the results for searches they are doing online? What can you learn about them and their process from this?
What are some resources that helped you explore your own faith? How could you freely offer these without adding any pressure on them? (curation)
Consider how you might give them exposure to a safe Christian community where they can experience positive relationships with Christians.

Remember, people in this stage are likely seeking out multiple worldviews, and Christianity may be one of them.
Be aware of the tendency to try and control the outcomes or to be impatient with them in their journey. Do not try to force them to take the step of faith to follow Jesus. Be aware of the tendency to feel insecure or center yourself in your ministry efforts. You can trust the Holy Spirit’s timing.
If they share a negative experience with Christians, resist the urge to respond defensively or in a way that diminishes their experience. Use it as an opportunity to talk about the love of God, our mistakes, and God’s grace.
Be tactful, but at the same time, do not be ashamed of the Gospel - this is the power of God for their salvation.
Many times, these people may be found in places that we tend to avoid (e.g., New Age conferences or other spiritual but non-Christian places). You may need to connect the dots for them how Christianity answers their very questions.
People who do not follow Jesus are not our enemies. Resist the urge to speak negatively about people they are learning from even if they are “leading them astray.”
We can have a tendency to believe that everyone we meet is in this stage. As you have spiritual conversations with people, be sure to love them where they are and not where you wish they were. Don’t engage them as Seeking if they are not here. It will not communicate love to them.

Experiments, Tactics & Studies

Solutions and resources that have been created or used to better understand or reach this audience.
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