A Listening Community

Listening is a necessary element of being in community and being a community. Desiring to participate in God's work in Oxford and the surrounding areas requires us to grow as a listening community.

Acts 17 demonstrates the influence of healthy listening.

These characteristics include: listening with humility and an open mind, listening along with others, and listening to those around us. Typically noted for their dedication to examining scripture, the Bereans first model listening with an open-mind. While holding strong beliefs and convictions, this group of Jews eagerly receive Paul's message despite it being contrary to what they would have believed. Challenged, they then search the scriptures together to verify Paul's claims. Since none of them were likely to have their own copies of the Old Testament scrolls, they do this in the context of community.

Paul's experience in Athens shows us how listening to those around us invites dialogue and encourages others to lean in. His familiarity with pagan philosophers allowed Paul to connect with those around him on their terms, relating to them in ways they were able to receive.

In reflecting Christ, His followers will exhibit these same characteristics. As some of you recognized yesterday, Christians in our context do not have a reputation of being open-minded or willing to listen to those around them. As we continue, my hope is we will continue to embrace the gift that is
listening - together!