Listening for mission

In the first of a new series, Lesley Hamilton-Messer highlights the importance of deep listening.

WORKING in the national offices of the Church of Scotland means I have come across many encouraging stories of mission in numerous forms and contexts.

Our churches tackle poverty and climate change, provide community for the marginalised, minister to children and young people, provide opportunities to learn and serve, support families, challenge injustice, share the love of God with those around them, and so much more. The mission of our churches is as unique in every setting as are the congregations and communities they are part of.

There is one thing that unites all our examples though, that is that starting point for fruitful mission, and that’s listening. Deep listening has several characteristics:

Curiosity

Genuine curiosity comes from an interest in others, and the humility to believe we can learn something from their experience. It requires an open mindedness to do that without feeling defensive about our own position. When we feel personally challenged we tend to stop listening and begin preparing our rebuttal. Curiosity, by contrast, asks ‘why’. ‘Why am I reacting this way? Why aren’t they excited by this? Why do they want to do it that way? Why is that such a big deal for them?

Generosity

Listening can be costly in time and energy, but it is a gift to others. Remember how it feels when we’re not heard? To connect with our community, or hear God’s plans, we need to listen. It may also mean sacrificing something – holding our own plans lightly – allowing others to question them. In letting go of what we hold dear, we may become free to receive something even better.

Patience

Listening takes time, and it never really stops. The pressure to do something can tempt us to act too soon. Ideas can quickly emerge, but not everyone will arrive at the same point at the same time. It’s tempting to get a project underway when the first idea presents itself, but take time to ponder. Have we listened to all the voices? Have we waited on God?

If you give the conversation time to ferment, people time to gather and process information, the rest follows more easily. Rush it, and there’s a greater risk of ending back at square one, having already expended a lot of time, resources and energy. Remember, listening is a verb – it’s not what you do before you start the activity. It is the start of the activity!

Stories 

Two examples of mission projects that have stood the test of time are:

Havilah, an initiative of Arbroath St Andrews which provides support for addicts where listening is a vital component. www.arbroathstandrews.org.uk/index.php/ what-we-do/serve/locally/havilah/

Hot Chocolate in Dundee, which started by intentionally listening to the young people hanging around outside the Steeple Church. https://www.hotchocolate.org.uk/

Getting help

Listening for mission is multi-faceted; listening to God, each other, the wider church, and our context. In such a complex task it’s challenging to hold everything in tension, particularly over an extended period, or when you feel that no-one is listening to you. Doing this as a congregation or group is even more complex and can be daunting.

To help you, Faith Action offers Future Focus – afacilitated process for congregations designed to help discern and plan for mission. Contact Rob Rawson in the Faith Action Programme of the Church for further details (rrawson@churchofscotland.org.uk). ¤

Lesley Hamilton-Messer is Mission Development Manager within the Faith Action Programme.