Okay, okay...in case some of you didn't catch the sarcasm of the last post, I have something else to post about Chapter 15. I think this is the shortest chapter in the book, but it does have something very crucial to our succeeding as a church plant in our community. When you and I listen to the people around us, what do we hear? You see, listening is more about observing than abut hearing. It's about really "knowing" the people around us.
"When you hear the word listen, you probably think it's about setting up a coffee time and trying to ask probing questions. It may include that, but our kind of listening is really more about what you do with your eyes instead of just your ears." (p132)
If all we do is rely on demographic data in order to provide for our community, we will miss it. That is superficial listening and is "about generalities and stereotypes." We learn a lot more from sitting at a local pub or coffee shop for an hour watching and listening to the people around us.
How would our perception of our neighborhoods be different if we took some time to really listen to the neighbors around us. Sit down for dinner or sit out in the driveway and ask questions about them. It's not that you are trying to "get somewhere" with that person, but simply getting to know that person better. This kind of listening can't be done in 30 second soundbites at the mailbox or a wave from the car. We have to invest...don't we?
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