Family gatherings can be beautiful—and hard.
Old wounds, different beliefs, health worries, and unspoken tensions can sit right there at the table next to the casseroles and desserts. You might feel a tug to say something about God, faith, or prayer… and at the same time, feel completely unsure how to begin.
At the Neighborhood Christian Clinic, our providers feel that same tension every day—except their “family table” is an exam room, dental chair, or counseling space.
So how do we navigate spiritual conversations here at the Clinic? And how might those same principles help you with the people God has placed in your life?
Recently, our staff spent a lunch hour digging into those very questions.
A Lunch Hour That Looked a Lot Like Ministry
Once a month, when the Clinic closes for the noon hour, our whole team gathers for Spiritual Care training.
We sit around tables sharing a simple meal—paid for by a generous donor—and often catered by one of our own patients, a widow who cooks on the side to make ends meet. That alone is a picture of the Clinic’s mission: donors, patients, and staff woven together by the love of Christ.
At our most recent meeting, Dr. Paul opened our Spiritual Care curriculum, developed in partnership with Grand Canyon University (GCU), to help Christian healthcare providers share the Gospel with gentleness and respect.
He took us to the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:19 (NIV):
“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.”
Paul understood that the people he ministered to came from many different backgrounds—Jews and Gentiles, religious and skeptical alike. So does every exam room at NCC.
Our calling is the same: to serve, to listen, and to share Christ in a way that honors the person in front of us.
And sometimes, when a lab result comes back better than expected—a lower A1C, a healthier blood pressure—you’ll hear a patient say two simple words that capture it all:
“Gracias Dios.” Thank you, God.
That’s spiritual care in action.
Why Spiritual Conversations Matter
At NCC, we believe whole-person care means tending to body, mind, and spirit.
That can look like:
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Asking if a patient would like us to pray.
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Listening to their fears and burdens.
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Sharing how faith in Christ has made a difference in our own lives.
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Offering Scripture or simple Gospel truth when the Holy Spirit opens the door.
We train our providers and volunteers to:
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Build trust and rapport first.
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Ask thoughtful, respectful questions about a person’s beliefs and support system.
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Watch for “faith flags” (comments like “I’ve been praying” or “It’s in God’s hands”).
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Share their own faith story briefly and personally.
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Present the Gospel clearly when invited, then trust the Holy Spirit with the results.
As 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) reminds us:
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect.”
That’s the heart behind our Whole Person Care curriculum—and it’s also a beautiful guide for your own life, especially during family gatherings that feel tender or complicated.
What Our Whole Person Care Training Can Teach Us at Home
Here are a few simple principles from our curriculum that you can carry into your next family meal, coffee date, or holiday visit:
1. Start with care, not debate
At the Clinic, spiritual conversations start with listening—to symptoms, fears, and stories. The same is true at home.
Instead of preparing your next point, try:
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“How have you really been doing lately?”
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“What’s been the hardest part of this year for you?”
Genuine interest often opens more doors than arguments ever will.
2. Ask gentle, spiritual questions
In a clinical setting, we sometimes ask about a patient’s spiritual history. Around the table, that can become:
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“Do you ever pray when things feel overwhelming?”
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“Has your faith helped you through this?”
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“Is there anything I can pray for you about?”
You’re not forcing a conversation—you’re inviting one.
3. Look and listen for “faith flags”
Just as providers notice a cross necklace or a comment about “God’s plan,” you can pay attention to small clues from family and friends:
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“I’ve just been asking God for help.”
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“I feel like I’m being tested.”
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“I don’t know what I believe anymore.”
Those are moments to gently respond:
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“I’m glad you brought God into this.”
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“Can I share something that helped me when I felt that way?”
In our training, we summarize it with four simple words that often begin powerful conversations: God. Prayer. Blessing. Faith.
4. Share your story, not a speech
At NCC, when patients are open, providers are encouraged to share short, personal stories—not sermons.
You can do the same:
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“When I was going through something similar, I started praying and sensed God’s peace.”
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“I’ve seen God answer in ways I didn’t expect.”
Your story is often easier for someone to receive than a list of truths—even though your story rests on those truths.
5. Trust the Holy Spirit with the outcome
In healthcare, we talk about “sowing seeds.” We rarely see the whole harvest. We simply share, pray, and trust God with what comes next.
Family conversations are no different.
You don’t have to say everything in one sitting. You don’t have to fix anyone. You can:
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Offer love and truth.
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Pray silently as you listen.
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Speak when the Spirit nudges.
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Rest in the fact that God cares more for that person than you ever could.
As Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 10, God is present even in difficult conversations and sends us out with His authority and care.
How Your Support Fuels Spiritual Care
Every time you support the Neighborhood Christian Clinic, you help make this kind of spiritual care possible:
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Training Christian healthcare providers to share their faith wisely and compassionately.
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Creating space in the schedule for prayer, not just procedures.
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Keeping a light for Christ shining in central Phoenix for patients who might say, with relief and gratitude, “Gracias Dios.”
Patients leave with more than a prescription—they leave knowing they are seen, loved, and never alone.
If this vision resonates with you and you’d like to help deepen our Whole Person Care work, you can explore our 12 Days of Healing Gift Catalog and see how your support can bring both medical care and Gospel hope to uninsured neighbors.
🎄 Give a gift that brings both health and hope 🎄 |