Hearing Beyond the Words: How to Become a Listening Pastor

by Emma J. Justes

Only when pastors hear beyond the words, can they care-fully minister. Pastors listen all the time. Or do they? Listening is more than a developed skill; it is an awesome gift of hospitality offered to others. According to Dr. Emma Justes, hearing beyond the words signifies an intimate relationship characterize by humility, thoughtful availability, vulnerability, and mutuality. Listening requires focused attention and openness. To help the reader learn this essential skill, the author includes exercises at the end of each chapter to build needed competency for this healing ministry.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Nonfiction

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2006

Reviews

[Charlotte]

Not Just for Pastors...

For anyone in a caregiving field. Justes uses scriipture and other typical scenarios to illustrate ways in which we listen or fail to do so. Great exercises to use withingroup study or even between couples. ideas for improving listening skills and much more.

[Susan Simpson]

Review

The book was everything I expected. It was readable, insightful and I thought provoking. I will use this book as a valuable reference.

[Susannah Carter]

2.5 stars. good concepts, just really repetitive. it highlighted important do's and don't's of listening but felt a bit more commanding than thoughtfully instructive. i would have loved more examples of dialogues/visits and actually HOW to navigate the challenging topics brought up by the author! being two months into my hospital chaplaincy internship, i wasn't surprised by much of what this book discussed, but i wish i had interacted with it before i started CPE - it's a helpful introduction to listening in a ministry context!

[George]

A “must read” for all in any type of Christian ministry.

Great insights to humbly consider taking into oneself for effective ministry.
The title “Hearing Beyond the Words” says it all.

[Jenny Phillips]

3.5 - solid best practice, offered in a Christian framework

[Gladys Davis]

Excellent. Highly recommended

[Melody]

This book is amazing. I highly recommend it to anyone who is or who wishes to be a listening pastor.

[Catherine Wicker]

This was a good book and had good information for a new clergy member. I found it slightly repetitive and I wish it had different examples.

[Marcus]

Don't get me wrong, this is definitely a good book about listening, especially to nonverbal communication. But as someone who's already done CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) and is a hospital chaplain intern currently, it wasn't that groundbreaking to me. But it's still a very good read for those who are just starting on this pastoral caregiving journey. Truly, it is about listening and all that hinders that endeavor.

[Sylvia Johnson]

I liked it. It has some very good points to listening effectively.

[Will Waller]

Great book! Good learning tool for pastors.

[Aimee]

Thought provoking and wise.