Listening to "Outsiders"

"The Outsider Interviews" is a book by Jim Henderson, Todd Hunter and Craig Spinks. It is a collective effort to listen to voices outside (and some inside) the church as they speak out about Christianity. The interviews were conducted in several locations. From Kansas City to Phoenix to Denver young people were asked to share their views about the Christian faith. Why should/would we care what these voices have to say? In fact, I believe there are many reasons. But, one of the primary reasons is to cultivate a skill that we seem to be losing: listening. One of the main observations of the "outsiders" is that Christians are poor listeners. A careful reading of the gospels indicates to me that compassion is very important. In my experience compassionate people are good listeners. Although there is much to share from the book, the authors lift up a thesis that rings true: "the church can no longer proclaim from a distance and do well with young outsiders...we must be with those around us. Our personal, even physical, presence matters." As I reflected on those words I remembered how God directed Philip to go down to a desert road so that he could encounter an Ethiopian who was struggling to understand the gospel. I cannot help but believe that God continues to direct us to individuals that God cares about.