Christian Listening

We all hear but do we listen? Christian Listening is about listening to others, to ourselves and to God. Learning to listen well offers us the opportunity to improve relationships, grow as human beings and deepen our spirituality. Listening is possibly the greatest gift you can give to another and it is life changing!

Providing a safe place for someone to come as they are and tell their story.

Isn’t this world a NOISY one! In our daily lives, we’re probably pretty good at dishing out advice, maybe giving a quick fix to friends in need, nodding sympathetically when we’re really thinking about what’s next on the “to-do” list, just so that we can feel we’ve done our bit and move on - probably to the next friend that needs a friendly ear. Exhausting, isn’t it?

So, we can all probably say that we hear, but, do we really listen? There is a big difference. Christian Listening gives you the tools to listen to others, to ourselves and to God.

Learning to Listen course participant: Listening is a ministry that’s within – one that everyone can do. It transforms chance conversations into something different.

What is Christian Listening? Leaflet

What’s the point?

In beginning to understand more about Christian Listening, we can improve relationships, grow as human beings and deepen our spirituality. This really is life changing stuff! Being taught how to listen can bring empowerment, clarity, self-esteem and promotes healthy lives and relationships. Christian listening also opens the doors (and our ears!) to show us the variety of ways that we can listen to God.

What’s in it for me?

Ever had one of those times where you’re just desperate to share something which is on your heart, but whoever you’re sharing it with just isn’t listening to you. How did that make you feel? What if that same person came alongside you, offered you space, security, was reflective and respected you for what you were giving them the privilege to hear? That’s what Christian Listening can teach you.

Christian Listening isn’t designed to sort people out, it’s designed to:

• Help people to get out what’s locked in
• Help people to move forward
• Help them identify feelings
• Affirm people by reflecting back in their own words

Participant, Harrow, North London: I needed someone to talk to, to clarify my thinking and to talk about my insecurities and feelings. Also feelings of unsureness from previous counselling…also support while weaning off antidepressants. I would recommend it to others.

Christian Listening or Counselling?

It’s not necessarily and “either, or” question. Christian Listening may resolve a person’s issues to such a degree that they do not need to go on to counselling. In other cases, Christian Listening will provide important preparatory work before more intensive therapy.

Christian Listening in Action

We can all embrace and become great practitioners of Christian Healing. Did you know that Acorn Christian Healing Foundation is particularly committed to resourcing the setting up of Listening Initiatives  in a variety of local settings, e.g. drop-in centres, doctor surgeries and hospitals.

What have participants learned?

1. That there is much more to listening than everybody thinks
2. How important it is for people to know that they are being listened to
3. The value of being able to listen without interruption.