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http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/blogs/sgm/post/Listening.aspx#disqus_thread

Listening

July 18, 2011 by Dave Harvey

One of the things I've been trying to do recently is to read and ponder the responses we're getting to our blog posts. I've also gotten a number of emails from folks who are telling me their thoughts about why we as a movement are here right now. Brent even sent me a letter from someone who anonymously offered critique of SGM based on their experience at my home church. Beyond the helpful perspective this is bringing, I'm also encountering something just as meaningful for my soul.

When you sit down with someone and talk, there is this amazing engagement of one person to another. It may not go well, but it is real and it stays with us. Emails and documents and details are important but they don't make the same connection as easily. But what the Lord is showing me is that all the emails and documents and blog posts shouldn’t obscure the fact that these are real people—you are real people, feeling and experiencing trials that have come in your experience with us.

What the Lord is helping me do is to see each comment, email, and statement as a real person, a child of God. It’s people whose questions or concerns are coming out of real life experiences, not just doctrinal or practical differences. I know I can speak for myself and the board, in fact I'm confident I speak for all the pastors in Sovereign Grace, that though we are weak and sinful men, we want to love in the way Jesus would have us love. We want to walk in the way Jesus would have us walk. Where we've failed, we want to own. Where we need change, we want to change. That's how I'm trying to view this season in our family of churches.

In recent days we've heard from a number of you. Some have shared ideas about steps for change, others have passed on Scripture passages to guide or convict. We appreciate all of this, and I ask that you keep it coming. The board isn't trying to shirk the responsibility to lead, but good leaders listen. Often. Whether I ever know who you are or not, you are a person and a Christian whom the Savior has died for and who has a stake in how he is represented in His church. Thank you in advance for anything you pass on to us. And thank you for your continued prayers for us.