"Listening is about being present, not just about being quiet." Krista Tippett
One of the best skills I learned growing up on the farm was to pay attention and listen to all the things happening around me. I listened for sounds in nature; sometimes those sounds were full of life and other times they were sounds of death. I listened to friends in school, at sporting events, and in the classroom. Some of these friends needed a place to dump their problems, others just needed a place to sound ideas. I listened in the dark when God was speaking to me in a still small voice. Listening was so comfortable for me I grew up to be a quiet extrovert.
The world needs more people who are willing to listen, willing to take time and pay attention, and to give others a helping, healing hand.
At St. Luke's, we have a ministry that does this called Stephen Ministry. A Stephen Minister is a minister who is trained to listen and gives time to one person each week for an hour to listen.
Our church is offering a class this fall starting in September every Tuesday night until December from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm to become a Stephen Minister. Would you be interested in knowing more about how to listen to someone in need?
If you would consider this ministry practice and commitment as a follower of Jesus, contact me at regina.proctor@stlukesumc.com and I will get you started.
God listens to us and we in turn listen to others to be the help of God.
I hope you will consider your ministry to be one of listening
See you Sunday!
Pastor Regina