How is Sacred Listening Helping Peoples Church Practice Resistance?

I have been serving as chair of the Sacred Listening Team for the past six months. The team includes David Miessler-Kubanek, Kathleen Mavity, and Susan Petersmith. What follows is a brief review of the project so far, along with an update on where we are in the three-phase process.

Phase 1: Sacred Listening 

We want to begin by thanking all of the listeners and story-tellers who agreed to participate in this project. In total, 13 listeners met one-on-one with approximately 52 story-tellers.

Based on feedback from those conversations, this phase was a very positive experience for those involved. Connecting with other congregants on a deeper level proved to be a meaningful and different way of ministering than what we have typically done.

These conversations felt deeper for two main reasons. First, listeners were trained to ask courageous questions—following up on what was shared with thoughtful, probing questions that invited reflection beyond what might happen in more casual conversations. Second, listeners were trained to truly listen. Many of us find it difficult not to insert our own stories or perspectives, but in these conversations the story-teller remained at the center of the experience. This kind of focused listening allowed space for stories to unfold fully and be heard with care and intention.

Phase 2: Discernment

We are now embarking on Phase 2, the Discernment Phase. While we have received guidance from the Gamaliel organization, each congregation approaches discernment in a way that fits its own context.

Our Steering Team has been meeting to review what was shared across all of the conversations. While the information gathered is not anonymous, we are not analyzing individual stories. Instead, we are looking for broader themes—shared interests, passions, concerns, and common threads that help us better understand who we are as a congregation and what matters most to our community.

We are reviewing stories and reflecting on their meaning, asking what they reveal about Peoples Church and what actions they might call us toward.

Phase 3: Design and Implementation

The next step will be Phase 3: Design and Implementation. The Gamaliel organization focuses primarily on community organizing, and we are considering what this work might mean both for growth and change within Peoples Church and for potential partnerships with other congregations to effect change in the wider community.

Any ideas or proposals that emerge from this phase will be discussed with the Board of Directors and then shared openly with the congregation before decisions are made.

As part of our ongoing discernment, we are also discussing how best to invite broader congregational participation in the conversation. Please watch upcoming communications for opportunities to engage more fully in this next phase of Sacred Listening.

If you have questions or comments about this process, we welcome them and invite you to be in touch.

by Laura McGraw, Chair of Sacred LIstening