Listening is more than simply hearing words—it’s a sacred act of attention, empathy, and openness. When we listen well, we honor the experiences, insights, and stories of others. We create space for connection, understanding, and healing. In a faith community, listening reflects the very heart of Christ, who saw and heard people deeply, offering compassion before instruction, and presence before solutions.

As we embark on a strategic planning journey, listening becomes a foundational practice. Before we chart the course ahead, we must pause to hear where our congregation has been, what they long for, and how they sense God at work among us. This process isn’t just about gathering ideas—it’s about discernment. By listening carefully to one another, we open ourselves to the movement of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom that lives within our shared life. Together, we seek to understand not only what our members are saying, but what God might be saying through them.

Engaging members in listening activities can take many forms—small group conversations, one-on-one interviews, online surveys, town hall meetings, or interactive prayer sessions. The key is to ask thoughtful questions, allow silence for reflection, and remain open to surprising insights. What follows is a carefully curated collection of powerful questions designed to guide churches through a comprehensive discernment journey.

The essential task of a congregational listening team is to create sacred space for listening—deeply, attentively, and compassionately—to the voices, stories, concerns, hopes, and dreams of the congregation. Their purpose is to gather a clear, honest, and comprehensive understanding of the church’s current reality and future longings. This listening must be intentional, prayerful, and inclusive, aiming to surface patterns, shared values, and diverse perspectives that can guide strategic discernment and shape the church's future. Find ways to listen well using the frequently used strategies below:

• One-on-One Interviews with staff, Board Members, and ministry team leaders. Personal conversations with individuals representing the diversity of the congregation (age, race, gender, length of membership, ministry involvement, etc.) These provide in-depth insights and allow for deeper storytelling and emotional nuance.
• Focus Group Conversations. Facilitated discussions with small groups around particular themes or ministry areas (e.g., youth, seniors, parents, ministry teams). Enables people to build on one another’s comments and brings forward common themes or divergent views.
• Congregational Online Surveys. Broad reach and efficient way to gather input from many participants Allows for quantitative data (ratings, trends) and some open-ended qualitative responses Ideal for those who prefer anonymity or are not able to attend in-person gatherings
• Giving Feedback During Worship Services. Can include written reflections, post-it note prompts, interactive stations, or live polling using phones. Engages people in real time and weaves discernment into the fabric of worship
• Listening During Meetings and Gatherings. Ministry teams, classes, small groups, and leadership councils can be invited to reflect on questions during their regular meeting times Builds ownership and creates a culture of listening throughout the church
• A physical or digital space where people can share their thoughts freely. Encourages quieter voices or those with more tentative feedback to speak up