To listen to another person is to offer a gift.
To listen with caring to another person is to offer a gift of awareness.
To listen with acceptance to all facets of another person is to offer a gift of healing.
To listen with patience for new ways to see the past events of another person is to offer a gift of freedom.
To listen with reverence for new becomings emerging within another person is to offer a gift of grace.
Such are the gifts of listening as Robert Brizee portrays them in this provocative book. The author draws on the biblical notion of God as Abba, insights from process relational theology, and his extensive experience in pastoral psychology in developing a very practical "theology of listening." He illustrates his approach by weaving stories of an imaginary family and a hypothetical congregation to show how the church's unique ministry of listening can come alive.
