Hi Mead. I did my field trip a week ago. I have struggled with how to write about it in a thoughtful way, but clarity hasn’t magically appeared so I’m just going to jump in. I decided to attend a service at a large church that I definitely have some stories in my head about. On our teleclass last week, Robin made a comment that stuck with me – she said those with a pluralistic mindset are often angered by people being marginalized. And I thought, yup, that’s me! I perceive this church as using scripture to exclude or marginalize certain categories of people, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community. As a point of reference, my church made a float for the Dallas Pride Parade last month – so, there’s that. ��

 

I was really nervous about attending because of course I want to be respectful and I didn’t know if I could sit through it. Being really intentional about active listening was key for me as was grounding before I went in. Once I parked, I took a couple of minutes to do some deep breathing. Then I thought about my core value of curiosity and made a commitment that I would spend the next hour truly seeking to understand and to stay off the dang ladder of inference. It ended up being a positive experience and I have greater insight into what makes that congregation tick. There is a strong traditional mindset there and a deep belief in living the one true way. There is a deep commitment to patriotism (this was the Sunday before the 4^th) and the role Christianity has played in the shaping of this country. And, I could feel that there was a lot of joy there and everyone was very welcoming. I’m glad I went.

 

What I find that active listening does for me is it helps keep my emotions in check, because I am able to put my story aside for a bit and lean in with genuine curiosity to a completely different story. I don’t have to agree with that story, but understanding it definitely makes me a more well rounded person.

Heather

 

heather Bryant Director of Innovation & Impact
106 e 10^th st | dallas, TX 75203
214.915.1852 | hbryant@momentousinstitute.org

 

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