Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community

by Suzanne G. Farnham, Joseph P. Gill, The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton (Foreword)

This 30th anniversary edition presents the unique approach of Listening Hearts to the spiritual practice of discernment for a new generation. Written to make the often elusive and usually clergy-centered spiritual practice of discernment accessible to all people, Listening Hearts features simple reflections and exercises drawn from scripture and from Quaker and Ignatian traditions. The seminal work in the Listening Hearts Series, this book has been a beloved resource for tens of thousands of individual readers, retreat participants, small groups, and church leaders listening for and responding to God’s call in their lives. “With updated language, revised appendices, and added stories, Listening Hearts can impart the deep wisdom embedded in its pages to new generations of those who seek to answer the call of Jesus to ‘follow me’.” –The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Theology, Christian, Christianity

177 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 1991

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short book discusses the call of God to ministry and how to discern it. It would be easy for a book like this to overpromise by providing "10 easy steps" or "5 quick ways." Thankfully, it avoids this. Over and over, statements about how to recognize the call of God are qualified with caveats and cautions, to the point where I was left wondering if there's really any way to discern such a subjective thing. No doubt this is why the authors advocate so strongly for a community approach, something that might sound odd to an American religion that embraces individualism –but which is more in keeping with the tradition of the church. Well worth reading if you're struggling with whether God is calling you to ministry, ordained or otherwise.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening Hearts describes a way of thinking about and making major life choices. Written by a Quaker, the book outlines how to gather a group of like-minded people and conduct sessions consisting of question-asking, prayer, and (lots of) silence. The idea is to sense what the Spirit is already doing in the life of the person making a decision, and discerning together where She might be calling the discerner next. I thought it was an intriguing process-- I appreciated a lot of the values behind it (silence, community, attentiveness), and would love to try it out some time.

[Jean Marie Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Live the questions,” urges Rainer Maria Rilke. I have spent the past four years studying theology in preparation to enter the Diaconate of the Episcopal Church. My journey will continue with the discernment process. This will be a year, or more, of questioning and discussion. This thin, but powerful volume, outlines the deep questions and reflection that help focus on true calling. Prayers, scripture, and prose are offered throughout. This is likely a book I will be rereading throughout this year.

[Margaret McCamant]

Rereading this, after many years, because I've been asked to serve on a discernment committee for someone considering ordained ministry.

Although I read this yesterday, it is very clear that rereading it, repeatedly, is what is called for. For that reason, I'm leaving it on my currently-reading shelf. It's basically a 75-page book.

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good foundation for the process of discernment in faith communities.
I especially find the various appendices useful to keep on hand for reference.
Whether you use it in a group setting, or individually to better understand the process, this brief book is a valuable addition to any theological library.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a simple little book with a lot of meat to it. I was asked to read it in preparation for convening a discernment group for a person at my church who is struggling with a life decision. The book is rather intimidating in laying out the discernment process; but it has a lot of practical advice. I can probably write a better review later after putting the book into actual practice.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really benefited from reading this book. It's a really interesting amalgam of spiritual discernment practices drawn from many traditions. I read it and finished, wanting to learn more about the organization that has formed around the "Listening Hearts" movemnet.

[Carl Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most wonderful handbook, defining, exploring, and discerning, both individually and with a faith community for those who feel a call to God's work. Full of queries, quotes and ideas. A great Quaker read

[Matt Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction on forming discernment groups, what their purpose is, and some guidelines. This very slim volume rewards multiple readings. A great way to ground an enterprise that is easy for many of us to confuse with "career counseling."

[Brook Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy and approachable guide for the gift of discernment. The short chapters have a theological weight due to their practicality. A great book for those seeking to deepen their relationship with God and faith community by trusting in both to receive guidance.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but very powerful book on making decisions related to both secular and religious vocations.

[Nell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great tool for groups to use for discernment processes.

[Kathy Duffy Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a start to finish book, but a start and reflect and read again book. If you are looking for a workbook you will be disappointed.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book with deep spiritual resonance, it provoked a deep focus within that helps me to think more of my direction. I ended up making substantial highlights and notes in my Kindle edition.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short but dense read on spiritual discernment. The authors come from a Quaker background and strong belief in the power of listening for the Spirit's prompting in silence.

[J Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a good introduction to the idea of discernment, especially group discernment for those who have not really thought about it. Its an easy read and pretty practical.

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, practical guide on spiritual discernment as a community process.

[D.J. Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't always read silly books...lol..
This non-fiction book was written by four Quakers (I believe possibly all four are Quakers) after or during their research into Listening and Discerning Call in Community so I have to chuckle a bit at the one star reviewer who thought who was full of pop psychology from corporate thinkers. This book was an optional read for a listening class I am taking. After reading a number of books written by Quaker writers, I'd say it sounds like a Quaker book rather than pop psychology (just writing that comment again makes me laugh). I'm fairly certain one of my classmates did not get much out of the book, but that could be because he was already familiar with all the nuts and bolts of discernment groups. I was vaguely familiar via Parker Palmer, and I have always wanted to know more. I'm a bit jealous that I don't know of any discernment groups.

I underlined a lot in the book, and I have a number of bookmarks. I did read the intro and then skipped to the appendices, and then came back to the opening chapters. That might help other readers. Would my mom read it? No, she's not interested in such matters.

[Johnny Mettlach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal book on the two year journey these folks did diving deep into community and all the scripture and church history around discernment, listening together, being community. Beautiful, gripping, lifegiving, integrated/holistic/nondualistic and desperately needed for any group of followers of Jesus who want to go beyond the corporatized decision-making so rampant in the American church, so different than the apostolic and other healthy eras (or communities). We have seen God move in mighty, healing, consensus guided (with wide margins for the HS to work), missionary thrusting ways.

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not care for the writing style. What is this habit that people have gotten into of dropping definite and indefinite articles from words?

Did not care for the intrusion of jargon from new age pop psychology and corporate management.

Did not care for the page layout, neither for the long commentary in endnotes that would have read better as footnotes, nor for the double-spacing between paragraphs, nor for the lack of an initial indent of the first line of each paragraph.

Would not have read it if it were not required. Not recommended.

Whether any of the advice in the book is useful remains to be seen.

[Terrance Lively · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really is a great book that leaves the reader with more questions than answers, but that is part of the intrigue. Really the book is encouraging us to live out the questions and hopefully in that process of living through discernment, find answers. There is good wisdom here for anyone trying to make sense of a calling for ministry, as well as a framework with which to work with others to find guidance, support, and accountability. If you want a clear, black and white answer, this book isn't really for you. It firmly dwells in the grey complexity that is the world.

[Marianne Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of a church discernment committee, this is standard.

[Kate Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine. Nothing objectionable, but nothing particularly helpful either. A great primer on discernment; I probably would have valued it more if I had come across it earlier in life.

[Deborah Gaspar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helps with understanding your own calling.

[Rebecca]

Would be great to have a community like this.

[Denise Kettering · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a helpful guide for someone seeking to discern whether they have a particular vocational call to ministry or for other vocational calls. The information is presented in a straightforward and helpful fashion that can help those who want to approach communal discernment in an organized fashion. While this model draws predominantly on the practice of Quaker clearness committees, much in the suggested practices will be helpful to many Christians. This book will not necessarily help you determine whether or not a person has a call, but may help them assemble some people to help with the process of discernment.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half of book was frustratingly void of meaning, simply because the authors tried to reflect on every side of every point. "X could be true...then, also, X might not be true." Appendixes were more helpful. Perhaps describing discernment is easier than defining what it is.


Must Read - 1
Kept My Attention - 5
Well-written - 3
Important - 3
Accessible - 5

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening Hearts is a practical, terse, and clear guide to the Quaker clearness committees. It outlines how to practice this style of discernment prayer and gives guidelines for setting up and running a discernment meeting. Incredibly helpful for anyone entering into a discernment process, and it's useful for our interns.

[Shannon T.L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was all right. it's all about how to discern vocation and God's call on your life, but it's not written in a very coherent manner and i don't think it's all that helpful. the appendices of the book were more helpful than the actual text.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read, only about 75 pages. I read it as part of my discernment. I didn't give me a whole lot of new information, but it did provoke some thoughts, solidify some information and offer more insight into what 'call' is.