Tag: Listen

What’s the Word Wednesday

“Save your energy. Guard your time. You’re not supposed to be willing to die on every hill. Just the ones that God has called you to. Those are the ones we need to climb to the pinnacle so that you can plant the stake of truth in the ground. Be wise. Be prayerful. We need you.”

– Get to know Priscilla Shirer by heading to her site and finding out more about her ministry. 

In this day and age, it feels like everyone has a voice about something. Politics, COVID-19, racial injustice, the weather…the list goes on. By scrolling through social media, you can see that people have some pretty strong convictions on just about everything. It’s good to have convictions but when those convictions cause you to not think of others or for you to act unkind, maybe you need to take a step back. Some people get so worked up and I have to ask – is it worth it? Is it worth the damage that your words may cause? Is it worth losing a friend because of their political stance. Is it worth you not being right just this one time? Evaluate the things you’re saying on social media. Think about the words you’re saying to those around you. Be prayerful about the convictions that you have. Ask God to point out the times and situations that He needs you to be vocal and to stand up. Pray that God would help you speak when you need to speak and listen when you need to listen. Be kind and be respectful!

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Listen Up!

Pastor’s are known as talkers.  They speak to people every week.  Forty-five minutes during a Sunday morning.  Thirty minutes at a Bible Study.  Twenty minutes at a prayer group.  They talk.

Worship leaders are known as singers.  They sing to people every chance they get.  Sunday morning church, rehearsals, private lessons, weddings…always singing.

But when have we, as pastors or leaders, just listened?

Franklin D Roosevelt (32nd President) loved to entertain guests at the White House.  His desire for connecting with people become so popular that he had to create a line and have everyone pass by while he shook hands and conversed.  One day he had been feeling as if people weren’t really listening to him so he tried something… as he greeted each guest he would whisper as they were walking away, “I murdered my grandmother.”  Everyone gave similar responses, “You’re doing a great job,”  or “Nice to meet you,” or “Great, keep up the good work.”  Roosevelt became pretty upset until the ambassador to Bolivia come by.  When Roosevelt whispered, “I murdered my grandmother,” the ambassador leaned in and said, “Well sir, I’m sure she had it coming.”

The people we serve have a story they are living, and they need to share it.  The job promotion they just received, the news of an illness, personal struggles, they all are happening in the people around us every day.  And we need to hear about it.  But that requires a skill very few have mastered:  listening.

My challenge to you this week is simple…stop talking long enough to allow others to tell their story.  When given the space to be heard, you will be amazed at what people will share with you.  And when you are a good listener to them, you will better know how to speak to them.

Written by: Dave Feltman

Dave is a Search Coach for Froot Group, a worship staffing & consulting company.