SECOND STEWARDSHIP PRACTICE 

                           ASKING AND LISTENING

 

          Last week, my blog started talking about practice relative to stewardship and good stewardship practices. Last week’s talked about writing thank you notes to donors. That is something that does take some action, like buying thank you cards and stamps, writing out the thank you notes and mailing them.

 

          This week’s practice concentrates on talking! Well, talking and listening. A good stewardship practice is to

·        Ask people what they like about your church

·        AND listen to their answers.

          We often THINK we know why people love our church, but do we really know? If we think we know, without actually asking, then we are simply ASSUMING we know the answer. And the answer could be wrong, and you know the rule about what the word assume means…about you and me!

          Well, Susan, that sounds pretty easy. I simply throw out a question. Tell me, Francis, why do you like the church? And Francis is going to tell you all about the good stuff (not the bad stuff, of course); and you’ll do this with lots of people in your congregation. And we’ll have all this information that we can use.

          Well, it’s not always that easy.

·        What if someone has something they are concerned about? Do they feel comfortable enough to share that?

·        What if they simply search something that they think you want to hear and share that?

          Instead of simply throwing out that really great question, consider starting with a prompt that will get them to tell you a story (or two):

·        When you look back over the entire time you’ve been here, tell me about the best experience you’ve ever had here?

·        What made it the best experience?

·        Who participated in it?

·        How did you feel about it?

·        What did you do as a result of that experience?

 

          Keep this in mind, though: don’t sound like you’re doing an interview, or present the entire list of questions and sit back. Start with the first prompt and then follow up depend on what they share.

          Other questions could include:

·        What do they value about the church?

·        What three wishes do they have for your church?

          Write down their answers; show them you’re serious about wanting to hear what they have to say. This isn’t busy work. You want to know and understand what they love about your church.

          And, you have to LISTEN! Ask follow-up questions that indicate that you are listening. People will tell you everything you need to know if you only listen to them.