Christian Listening is three dimensional: listening to others, listening to ourselves and listening to God. Listening to others improves the quality of relationships in the home, church and workplace; learning to listen to ourselves helps us to grow in wholeness; and learning to listen to God helps us to deepen our spirituality.
Courses range from one to twelve sessions. They are all highly interactive in nature and they value the life experience of participants. Introductory courses teach the importance of a listening attitude whilst more advanced courses give training in specific listening skills. Those who successfully complete Called to Listen qualify to be Christian Listeners and may use their skills in more structured listening sessions in church groups and secular or medical situations. At the heart of Acorn’s beliefs is the conviction that good listening provides an excellent foundation for healing and health care.
Acorn is particularly committed to setting up listening care in the local community through developing Listening Initiatives
This training pack includes video or DVD and course book. It is best suited for study in a small group setting. The course is broken into 6 modules. Typically, groups will do the course in two 2– hour sessions. In a lively presentation, two tutors are filmed leading a group through the course material. The course book provides notes of the teaching, and instructions for group discussion and activities. The course is suitable for any who are interested in developing a listening attitude, and can be led by anyone with experience of facilitating a small group.
Importance of Listening
We also offer tutor-led half day or one day workshops as a complement to Just Listen! Please contact your Regional Coordinator for more details.
This is a course of four two and a half hour sessions which teaches effective listening, both in every day life, and in caring situations. Because the learning is cumulative it is essential that people come to all four sessions.
Time to Listen
This course builds on the training in Learning to Listen and focuses on particular times in life when good listening is necessary. Thus there are units on such areas as listening to life’s changes, listening to the bereaved and listening to those who are sick. The course can be broken down into units or taught in its entirety over six sessions.
This builds on the attitude training of the introductory courses and teaches listening skills using the mirroring method as a foundation. It also invites participants to listen carefully to themselves as part of their growth in wholeness, and to listen to God in a variety of ways. Participants are usually recommended by their church leader and need to have completed an introductory course. At the end of this course they are offered an assessment of their listening skills. Recognised Christian Listeners are then available to listen within their church and community with appropriate supervision. Some may go on to be trained as tutors in their local church and area.
Schools Work
Acorn also offers listening training resources for young people. Learning to Listen—A Course for Young People is available for use in secondary schools and youth clubs and is led by trained tutors. The aim is to teach young people the gift of offering good listening to each other.
A Consultant Gynaecologist
Christian Listeners is run by a network of regional staff who train tutors to run courses in their churches and locality. All our courses are interactive and provide plenty of practice in listening. You can find out who your Regional Coordinator is by clicking here.
You can also write to us at the address on the back of this leaflet and we will gladly send you more details. The Regional Coordinator will be glad to recommend the course to suit your needs and will advise you about costs and other details