Deep Dive

At Future of Faith, we are committed to resourcing and supporting the relational church, championing the sacred act of listening as the foundation of our mission. Our society faces a pivotal moment where trust in institutions, including churches, is waning. We believe, based on the best available research, listening to practitioners, prayerful discernment and our own experience, that the pathway back to a vibrant, influential, and vital church runs directly through relationships, particularly those fostered by leaders who prioritize listening.  In this context, we hypothesize that the key to revitalizing faith communities lies not in speaking more, but in listening better.  

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To this end, we are excited to launch a pivotal research project that seeks to empirically validate and elevate the role of listening in spiritual leadership. While existing research demonstrates the potential for relationships that lead with listening for building trust, especially with young people, there is very little current research that shows how that process works, the most effective components or approach to listening or that documents the true impact of listening on both parties.  

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This project will rigorously explore how listening can transform relationships in faith communities, examining the specific aspects of listening that make individuals feel truly heard, valued, and spiritually nourished.

Through comprehensive surveys and in-depth interviews, we aim to uncover the mechanisms by which listening fosters deeper bonds and trust between church leaders and congregants.  Combined with our scientifically based saced listening process, these findings will inform targeted training programs that equip leaders with essential listening skills, positioning them to profoundly impact their communities.