DEEP LISTENING - December 2007
I have come to realize with special force over the past few months that there are very different kinds of listening. There is that kind of listening which hears the words but leaves it at that. Listening has undoubtedly taken place but it might be described as surface listening. But then there's deep listening. Listening which not only hears the words, but listens to the meaning and emotions behind the words. In deep listening you give yourself completely to the other person and, as far as you can, enter into their world and stand in their shoes. You share their joy and feel their pain.
The Baptist Union Council in November was an astonishing experience of deep listening. As we reflected on the Transatlantic Slave Trade we listened hard to one another. The slave trade disfigured human history to such an extent that it continues to produce tidal waves of pain and indignity. It continues to distort international relationships and contribute to social dislocation. In the three days of Council we explored these issues with honesty and with grace. For me the most moving aspect of the whole Council was to hear people speak of the way in which they had been led to change their minds. That can only happen when deep listening is taking place.
Baptists have always believed that the life of the local church should be founded on deep listening. That's why we have church members' meetings. We believe that God still speaks to his church and, miraculously, we believe that he does that through one another. However, as we well know it doesn't always work out like that. So often we have focussed attention on the right that every member has to "have their say" and to get things off their chest. This may provide wonderful therapy for the speaker and be a triumph of democracy. But we were never called to be a democracy. A local church is called to be a Christocracy - a community where Christ rules. And if Christ is to rule then a local church will need to be made up of people who come eagerly to church meetings to hear what Christ has to say. To put it another way a church meeting needs to be time when people come to "have their listen" far more than to "have their say".
Deep listening will only ever take place where there is humility. No wonder Jesus informed his disciples that the only way into his kingdom was to humble themselves and to become like little children.
Previous articles...
On Our Knees Again...and again (November 2007)
Living With Danger (October 2007)
Summer Reflections (September 2007)
Moving On (August 2007)
Looking at old age with new eyes! (July 2007)
To assemble or not to assemble?! (June 2007)
Freedom - The Search Goes On! (May 2007)