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Listening Groups

A small group liturgy for listening to God, each other, and our own hearts.

Listening Groups are a unique small group experience with clear guidelines that create a safe space for listening to God, one another, and our own hearts. 

Drawing inspiration from 12-Step meetings, Quaker discernment circles, and Renovaré Spiritual Formation groups, the two-hour meeting structure eliminates advice-giving, promotes active listening, and creates generous space to value God’s voice over our own.

  1. We value a high Christology regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ.
  2. We value Scripture as a sure guide for growth into Christlikeness.
  3. We value worship and prayer as central in our lives.
  4. We value people as God’s image bearers. In our interactions we resist the temptation to manage impressions, leverage relationships, and fix one another.
  5. We value community as vital to our transformation into Christlikeness. We offer availability and vulnerability as we honor each person’s unique journey with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  6. We value listening. As a community we seek to be attentive to the Holy Spirit and one another. This facilitates a welcoming and confidential culture where it is safe to know and be known.
  7. We value honesty and openness, seeking to love with wise boundaries and discern without judgement.
  8. We value humility and the freedom it brings, drawing us into a life of gratitude, joy, laughter, creativity, and lightheartedness.
  9. We value loving respect. We are for one another. 
    We give encouragement as often as possible.
    We share advice once in a great while.
    We bring correction only when absolutely necessary.
    We condemn never.
  10. We value hospitality of heart, seeking to learn from our differences.
  11. We value stability, anchoring ourselves in these Core Values and the practices, places, and people through which God is forming us, remembering that discipleship is a long obedience.
  12. We value various local expressions of spiritual formation efforts—relationships, families, small groups, and churches. Spiritual formation always has a local address.

The Order of Meeting and Core Values make these Listening Groups different from other formats of Christian small groups. The liturgy is read at every meeting and makes space to:

  • hold prayerful silence with one another
  • forgo fear of judgment, impression management, and advice giving
  • listen without fixing one another
  • grow in the capacity to discern the voice of God
  • be intentional about spiritual growth with others on a similar journey

We are developing online training for starting a Listening Group. We’ll announce availability soon.

The best way to learn about Listening Groups to experience one through an online Drop-in Listening Group. Please join us as your schedule allows. Meetings are free, and we have different days and times to accommodate various schedules and time zones. Join us as often as you would like. See the schedule below.

Experience a Listening Group

We’re developing a directory of Listening Groups and online training to start one. In the meantime, the best way to learn about Listening Groups is to experience one. 

Register below to join us for a free drop-in Listening Group:

  • 1st Saturday of the month from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
  • 2nd Tuesday from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
  • 3rd Thursday from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
  • 4th Wednesday from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. 

Times listed are in Eastern Standard Time.

Groups are led by one of our experienced Listening Group Coordinators. When you register, we’ll send you a video teaching to help you understand the process and come prepared for a special time. 

Register Free