This seminal work in the Listening Hearts series draws on centuries of classic Christian literature and “the silence of prayerful listening” to show how to recognize and define God’s call. It explains how to eliminate barriers and prepare one’s heart to receive that call - whether it is emphatic, subtle, or seemingly obscure.

The authors address the challenge of remaining faithful and attentive to God’s call and tell how a faith community can be a source of spiritual, psychological, physical, and financial support.

Listening Hearts is designed for use in prayer and meditation and as the basis for group discussion. It provides suggestions on forming discernment groups and ministries, questions to raise in discerning call, as well as an informal history of the ministry and its research methods.

Kindle edition available

"...explores the themes of discernment and call with the context of Christian community. Drawing on centuries of classical Christian literature, the authors present a complex subject in a clear and comprehensible way that makes the practice of spiritual discernment accessible to the church as a whole. This wise and practical book is a valuable resource for clergy and laity alike and includes extensive endnotes and an annotated bibliography." -- Episcopal Life

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"It is difficult for busy Episcopalians to use the Quaker practice of quiet meditation and listening to hear God's will. This is one of the main suggested practices used by the group who wrote Listening Hearts. Listening Hearts leads the reader, or better, the group of readers, through a meditation on the nature of God's call to them. There is guided chapter by chapter study. In addition, the authors provide a very thorough discussion of the organization of the study group. The text is heavily footnoted to provide references for the reader to gain greater insight into the thoughts presented in the text. For someone who is ‘too busy,' this book will provide a real discipline in required slowing down, silence, and thoughtfulness." --The Jamestown Cross, Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia

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"...an outstanding volume for anyone who wants to help people discover their gifts and their call. A result of extensive reading and field testing, it is written with great clarity and simplicity. I personally wish that Listening Hearts could be the subject of dicussion by Christians in every congregation in this country. Must reading." --Edward A. White, Senior Consultant, The Alban Institute

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"More than many other tools for pastoral leadership, the approach taken in these simple "midrashes" on scriptural and spiritual discernment is very powerful, whether for use by a Commission on Ministry in discerning vocations to ordained ministry or by a Rector and Vestry in discerning parochial leadership and vision. I believe this methodology (paradigmatically so old, yet ever new), when consistently applied over the long term, will transform the church's way of "doing business". --The Rev. Michael J.R. Tessman, Nashotah House

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"...rich, resonant and coherent, these volumes hold riches well worth mining." - Virginia Episcopalian

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"...a practical handbook for understanding and discerning God's call in the lives of Christians." - Plumbline

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"A concise, practical, and readable resource for discerning the Lord's call in one's life..." - Religious Life

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"An excellent ecumenical resource, it may be used for individual meditation or group discussion. Included are practical suggestions outlining ways to explore issues of call and recongizing and supporting ministries." - 1993 Spiritual Books Catalog