The Art of Christian Listening

This book is a helpful outline of steps to take in being a spiritual companion.

Books about ministry seem to come and go. Titles will appear that deal with issues of modern life, will have a novel and often interesting approach, but quickly grow old. This is not due to the content. It is usually sound, but techniques and styles change over time and certain practices can become outdated. One book about ministry that never seems to age and if anything, develops a new following year after year is Thomas Hart's THE ART OF CHRISTIAN LISTENING. For Hart, the key word in the title is listening. His book does not offer advice on how to counsel people, what advice to give, or how to solve a person's problems. He also does not provide psychological solutions to problems with a Christian slant though the work is psychologically credible and spiritually sound. Rather, he trains and challenges the reader to listen to where people are coming from as Jesus did, providing a consoling and caring experience where true growth can develop. The book is easy to use. Hart writes in a manner that will help the person who is just beginning ministry and challenge those who have been doing spiritual direction or counseling for some time. He provides discussion questions at the end of each chapter that encourages both reflection and discussion which makes it the perfect book to be used in a group setting. It's also a book that can be read over and over again and the reader can gain fresh insights. I first read the book when it was somewhat new and was "all the rage." I was in college and people were reading it and discussing it. Priests and pastoral ministers were singing its praises. Teachers were using it to better listen to colleagues and students. We all had the same experiences from reading it. We were enthused about truly listening and being present to people as we believed Christ would be, we knew our limitations, and saw ways we could either help or impede others. This small volume encouraged and excited people to do the work of Jesus in a caring and compassionate manner. This alone makes it a valuable resource and since it's still popular twenty five years later, timeless as well.

The book provides a sound theological grounding in Spiritual development and counselling. It is practical, helpful and memorable. It is a book well worth reading.

As a longtime climical psychologist also involved in spiritual direction, I must say that this is simply the best of its kind. I use the word simply in a laudatory way because the book is not only solidly based and deeply sensitive to the realities involved. It is also written simply.

If someone were to ask me to borrow my copy of this book, I would have to say no because so many of the margins became spaces for my note taking and journaling. The author deals primarily with spiritual direction, that is, the preparation, pitfalls, practical situations and approaches to being a caring, helpful presence to those who would share their stories. The author deals with profound subject matter in very gentle, practical and simple ways. The chapters on sacramentality, prayer and discernment were profoundly moving in their simple and gentle exposition as well as being practical and applicable to my own life. The reader is challenged with questions such as, "Where do I need to let God work in my life and what are those areas I will not let God see?" Felt that this was an excellent book in helping me to discern and articulate my own journey. Each chapter ends with questions for reflection which would make this an excellent book for use in small groups for spiritual formation and growth.