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The idea of 360 degrees listening is set out in the diagram below:

360 degrees listening

'People you may serve' could be people with a similar lifestyle to yours (or others involved in the exploring process). Or they could be people from a very different background – newly arrived immigrants perhaps, or people who are much older or younger. 

How might exploring and listening differ between a context that has a similar culture and one that was across cultures?

Exploring will involve being attentive to the group(s) you are most likely to serve - listening to their needs and joys, hopes and disappointments, what makes them tick, their spiritual experiences and so on. 

Understanding broader cultural trends – the context in which they live – would also be useful.

Good questions to ask might be: 'What are the signs of the Spirit being at work in these people's lives?' and 'How might we join in?'

'Wider church' refers to other churches and Christian groups. These might include examples of fresh expressions to wet your appetite and feed your imagination. Might you visit a couple of fresh expressions, or watch some of the stories on the Fresh Expressions DVDs? (expressions: the dvd - 1: stories of church and expressions: the dvd - 2: changing church in every place)

It will also be important to consult other Christians or churches working with the people you hope to serve. Listening to them will be a mark of respect, acknowledging the experience they have gained. They may also have helpful insights, suggestions and contacts. Your listening may open the door to useful support, and perhaps even collaboration later.

You might also study one or two examples of church planting from overseas or from the past. Are there lessons you can learn? How does your context differ from theirs, and what might be the implications? This second question might help you become more aware of what is specific to your situation.

'Local church' refers to the church, churches or denomination on whose behalf you are undertaking this exploring process, or your circle of Christian friends. They may have wisdom and resources to share, and be a source of godly advice, especially if they have been praying for you.

Sharing with these groups of Christians what you have been learning may help you be aware of who could be free to help and what might energise them. It will be easier to gain support – from prayer to money to volunteers – from fellow Christians if they feel they've been listened to first.

Listening to the church, churches or denomination on whose behalf you are acting is especially important if you want them to bless your conclusions. You don't want to race so far ahead of others that your recommendations come as a terrible shock!

It is so easy to do. You could spend hours exploring the possibilities, thinking ahead and on other preparations, covering an immense amount of ground. But everyone else has hardly given it a thought.

Keeping constantly in touch, asking people to pray for you and seeking their reactions will help them keep up with you. You will be travelling the journey together.

To God directly through Scripture, prayer and reflection. It will be helpful to punctuate exploring and listening with times of Bible study and prayerful reflection. Passages that people have found helpful include:

• Moses and the spies (Numbers 13). The spies undertook some research and were alarmed by the results. Members of the group might discuss whether they are having similar reactions to the listening they've done. Is anyone ready to be a Caleb?

• Nehemiah rebuilds the city walls (Nehemiah 1-2). What steps did Nehemiah take to find out about Jerusalem? What was his response? Would this be a relevant response for your context? How does Nehemiah learn more about Jerusalem once he has arrived, and what does he do then? What responses are you making to your discoveries about the people you're connecting with?

• The church in Antioch (Acts 13.1-3). What is the church in Antioch doing to discover God's call? How does God lead them to take the next steps in mission? How might the Holy Spirit guide you to take the next steps?

• Paul in Athens (Acts 17). What aspects of Athenian culture does Paul find out about? How does this shape his approach to mission? How could this be relevant to your context?

• Jesus listening in the temple (Luke 2.41-52). What can you learn about the principles of listening from this story? How far do they speak to your experience?

As you prayerfully reflect on Scripture and what you are learning about the people you might be called to serve, you will create a context in which the Spirit may speak through an individual's thoughts. 'While we were praying I had this idea (or this picture)' may prove a breakthrough.

Exploring the possibilities

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