05.14.07
the listening silence
The life of Jesus is framed by silence. We celebrate it in song. “The silent Word is speaking,” celebrates the stillness of his incarnation; His quiet before Pilate celebrates His silence near His death. Can we learn from this that only silence frames the truth of speech?
For some months now I have wondered if the word “leadership” is redeemable. It has so many cultural connotations: mostly of activity, power, control – and a separation of people into classes. It comes with its own baggage of filters and vision that prevent us from perceiving something much more fundamental about shared life and purpose and our common identity as God’s people.
But today I wonder.. I wonder if we can redeem language? I wonder if through our actions and reflection we can subvert a word previously stolen and subverted. My project for this week is a series of reflections on “the leader as listener.” In the famous reflection of TS Eliot is wisdom to help in the task of redeeming a cult of leadership:
Where
Shall the Word Resound,
Where shall the Word
Be found? Not here –
There is not enough silence.
I’m deeply excited about this direction, even as I am aware that I haven’t arrived yet. It’s not really time for me to write this reflection; but it asks to be written. As a novice listener I hear the demands of this call, and I’ll do my best to obey it.
* *
I turned 50 this weekend. Thanks for all those of you who wrote and wished me joy and peace or generally offered words of encouragement. At the gathering we attended on Sunday morning the preacher talked about dusting off old dreams. Coincidentally — ha! — the birthday card from my father talked about similar things. Also coincidentally — not — some conversations in Langley added substance to these things. Finally, I’m involved with two book projects, one of which is currently public via microclesia.
This is a time in my life where winds of change are blowing, and I’m seeking to be attentive in my listening and response. Way opens.. and way closes. When God is moving we don’t need to understand how or why.. we need only raise the sails.
Nameless, Faceless Love said,
May 14, 2007 at 10:20 am
“To all my friends on shore…..”
Sweet Sailing, Len.
Blessings…….
Ben
Dana Ames said,
May 14, 2007 at 6:24 pm
I am thankful to the Lord for your life.
Dana
Lyn said,
May 15, 2007 at 1:28 am
“This is a time in my life where winds of change are blowing, and I’m seeking to be attentive in my listening and response. Way opens.. and way closes. When God is moving we don’t need to understand how or why.. we need only raise the sails.”
Amen!
Happy belated birthday Len
Beyond the 4 walls » Leadership said,
May 16, 2007 at 10:46 am
[...] I wanted to give this set of posts a post of their own, rather than including them in the below. Len Hjalmarsen has written some fantastic stuff this week on leadership. The Listening Silence, Leader As Listener, Leader As Listener II have been posted so far, but I think there may be more to come. Through reading Len’s posts it has been highlighted to me the need for silence. Silence to hear God, silence to stop speaking. Another angle that has stirred in my mind is that leaders need to really listen to people within their church and outside of it. How often do we stop and really listen to someone, really take in what they have to say without our own agenda, or our mind wondering. When was it that you last really listened – to God or people? agenda, church, god, hear, leadership, len hjalmarsen, listener, listening silence, people, silence Cat: [...]