Hearing Beyond the Words: How to Become a Listening Pastor

As a pastor and mentor, it is important for me to hear the words and be alert to signals from body language to get a full assessment of the conversation.

For anyone in a caregiving field. Justes uses scriipture and other typical scenarios to illustrate ways in which we listen or fail to do so. Great exercises to use withingroup study or even between couples. ideas for improving listening skills and much more.

This is a well written book that touches on the many aspects that interfere with our hearing what people are saying. It is relatively short and concise. It is a must read for anyone who finds themselves in a position of counseling others.

The book was everything I expected. It was readable, insightful and I thought provoking. I will use this book as a valuable reference.

Absolutely outstanding, clear, sensitive, practical and a must-read (over and over again) for anyone in ministry or religious leadership of any kind. Emma Justes' other book, "Please Don't Tell" is equally excellent and important. God bless you, Ms. Justes!

If people accuse you of "not listening," if you struggle to connect with those around you, or if you consider yourself a "good listener," you should read this book.

I used this book for the students in my seminary class on Pastoral Counseling. I was sold on the title, then enthusiastic about the analogy Justes drew between the Biblical value of hospitality and the gift of listening deeply and from the heart. My students enjoyed reading it and found the practical exercises very useful. Read it! Use it in class! Very worthwhile.

An easy-to-read book that reframes the ministry of deep listening as an act of hospitality. I have used this book in trainings for parishioners wishing to do lay pastoral visiting and find that the re-frame helps people hear " old hat" information in a new way.