Reading: Mastering Pastoral Care Listening (The Video Slides)

Mastering Pastoral Care Listening
by Henry Reyenga


Practice with those in your life.

Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

• Ask your spouse to help you become a good listener.
If you try to fix your spouse or close friend in your conversations, you will be also trying to fix your parishioners.
If your spouse or close friend thinks you are a good listener, that likely carries over to others.

• Prepare for your listening session, if possible.
If you know before the meeting the likely struggle you are going to be addressing, do a little research before the meeting to update your thinking about the subject so that you can ask better questions.

• Find listening mentors for you.
Some people or pastors really know how to listen. They have ideas and skills they will likely want to share with you. Ask them, then listen to them.

• Trust a random urge in your questions. The Holy Spirit can place a question or thought in your heart. Sometimes a breakthrough will come. Then sit back and listen.

• Write down some notes of the discussion. Look at them later, pray.
There are times that insights will happen at a later time. These insights can be helpful for the next time you meet.

• Practice listening skills when you read the Bible. When you are practicing your own walk with God, really seek to listen to the words that are said to you. This practice carries over in ways you have not yet imagined.


"Am I gay or lesbian?”
• In our sinful nature, everyone is potentially bi
• In our upbringing, factors can contribute to those choices
•  Genesis 2:24-25 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”