Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to “listen deeply” in the context of discovering fresh expressions of church, as discussed by Shannon Kiser?
- Why do you think starting with attentiveness to who God is putting on your heart is important for new ministry initiatives?
- In what ways can we practice humility and curiosity when engaging our neighborhoods and communities?
- How do Shannon and Tod differentiate between simply changing church programs and truly responding to a changing world?
- What role does experimentation play in adaptive leadership, according to the conversation?
- Tod mentions that the true value of experiments is in what we learn, not whether they “work.” How might this perspective change how churches approach new ministries?
- How is listening, as described in the episode, different from just gathering information or data?
- Why is it important to focus on “who God is putting on your heart” rather than just a new idea or vision?
- What are some practical steps a church leader or community member can take to better listen to their community?
- Based on this conversation, how might your own faith community benefit from adopting a posture of listening and ongoing experimentation?
