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More Questions than Answers: Sharing Faith by Listening
Why does it feel like most of the world today considers irrelevant the gospel we cherish and so faithfully proclaim in our churches? Why do our Christian responses fail to satisfy the heart quests of our neighbors? Does the shallowness of our neatly packaged answers alienate us from them and from each other?
More Questions than Answers offers the hope of reconciliation through exploring how we can develop listening relationships. Walking together in what becomes a spiritual accompaniment, we learn to attune ourselves to one another and to the Spirit within us. Then we dare to reach across the chasm that separates us and discover an authentic faith emerges.
184 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 8, 2014
No matter how secure our faith, we all have questions, issues, things we don’t fully understand.
In More Questions than Answers, Eleanor Shepherd reminds us that honesty about these very things is the beginning of a journey that benefits us as well as the friends with whom we walk.
Spiritual accompaniment is unconditional friendship. Our non-Christian friend is not a project to be discarded if she doesn’t come to believe as we do. Nor is our Christian friend to be set aside if he doesn’t grow as fast as we’d like.
This is a book for Christians who want to be more valuable spiritually in the lives of those around them. It isn’t evangelism-by-the-numbers; it’s investment in the lives of those God gives us.
I appreciate books like this that emphasize faith conversations rather than confrontation, and that teach us to value the whole person.
In More Questions than Answers, Eleanor Shepherd reminds us that honesty about these very things is the beginning of a journey that benefits us as well as the friends with whom we walk.
Spiritual accompaniment is unconditional friendship. Our non-Christian friend is not a project to be discarded if she doesn’t come to believe as we do. Nor is our Christian friend to be set aside if he doesn’t grow as fast as we’d like.
This is a book for Christians who want to be more valuable spiritually in the lives of those around them. It isn’t evangelism-by-the-numbers; it’s investment in the lives of those God gives us.
I appreciate books like this that emphasize faith conversations rather than confrontation, and that teach us to value the whole person.
August 24, 2012
More Questions than Answers by Eleanor Shepherd
Tag Line: Sharing Faith by Listening
I really didn’t know what to expect with this book. I anticipated some strategies to enhance personal evangelism which I think was the goal of this book to judge it by its title so to speak. But you know what they say about judging a book by its title! I see far more reaching applications! This is great strategy for anyone who is a leader, mentor, coach, minister, etc. There are even applications in parenting!
This book truly resonated with me because this fits my style of personal evangelism: Listening, asking questions, authenticity are just a few of the “power words” she uses for topics that she addresses. As someone launching into mentoring/coaching relationships this is extremely sound strategy and skill building! This will be a go-to resource for me in current and future endeavors and I imagine an often highly recommended book as well.
The author begins the book with basic listening skills which is to be expected from someone with a degree in psychology. Though these skills are taught again and again in communication workshops and counseling sessions, it never hurts to have a refresher course. She then branches out to authenticity, Spiritual accompaniment, transformational listening, listening to God and then moving to action: to love! The author breaks down each skill into easy to apply skills in every day settings.
Drawbacks
The reading seemed to be a little dry.The author’s few attempts to branch out with some more exciting words and picture painting just broke the rhythm of the read. Her attempts also failed to give clarity to the image she was trying to convey. I would have preferred just straight forward dryness than the scattered attempts to get away from what the author is truly best at: Straight forward outline of strategy- point by point; step by step. I can respect that. The other drawback is if it was my option to purchase, I would have passed over this book because it is priced to high for the kindle version.
I absolutely love this book. It goes to show you can’t judge a book by it’s cover! It offers a lot of value to its reader: Skill building and strategy points have application in a variety of settings – not just sharing one’s faith.
Tag Line: Sharing Faith by Listening
I really didn’t know what to expect with this book. I anticipated some strategies to enhance personal evangelism which I think was the goal of this book to judge it by its title so to speak. But you know what they say about judging a book by its title! I see far more reaching applications! This is great strategy for anyone who is a leader, mentor, coach, minister, etc. There are even applications in parenting!
This book truly resonated with me because this fits my style of personal evangelism: Listening, asking questions, authenticity are just a few of the “power words” she uses for topics that she addresses. As someone launching into mentoring/coaching relationships this is extremely sound strategy and skill building! This will be a go-to resource for me in current and future endeavors and I imagine an often highly recommended book as well.
The author begins the book with basic listening skills which is to be expected from someone with a degree in psychology. Though these skills are taught again and again in communication workshops and counseling sessions, it never hurts to have a refresher course. She then branches out to authenticity, Spiritual accompaniment, transformational listening, listening to God and then moving to action: to love! The author breaks down each skill into easy to apply skills in every day settings.
Drawbacks
The reading seemed to be a little dry.The author’s few attempts to branch out with some more exciting words and picture painting just broke the rhythm of the read. Her attempts also failed to give clarity to the image she was trying to convey. I would have preferred just straight forward dryness than the scattered attempts to get away from what the author is truly best at: Straight forward outline of strategy- point by point; step by step. I can respect that. The other drawback is if it was my option to purchase, I would have passed over this book because it is priced to high for the kindle version.
I absolutely love this book. It goes to show you can’t judge a book by it’s cover! It offers a lot of value to its reader: Skill building and strategy points have application in a variety of settings – not just sharing one’s faith.
August 30, 2012
Eleanor Shepherd's More Questions Than Answers is a 3 part book that explores the different areas that are vital to making our faith relevant to those who are wanting to know more about our faith in Jesus Christ. We too often simply give off neatly packaged answers that don't even satisfy ourselves, much less someone who is seeking God. Ms Shepherd just into more depth in developing a habit of really listening to people, sharing our faith, and being willing to walk along with another as they are going on their spiritual journey to God.
You don't have to read the 3 sections in the order they are written, but that is how I chose to read the book. Part One is about The Listening Process. Many of us probably think we are much better listeners than we actually are; I know I am guilty too many times of formulating my response while the other person is still speaking. Yet, I also know how often all I want is for someone to listen to what I am saying. This is certainly an area I need to do for others as I would like for them to do for me. There was excellent advice included on becoming a better listener.
Part Two is Discovering And Sharing Faith and Part Three is The Source. I admit that the line between these sections were a bit more difficult for me to separate. All three sections flowed, but the last 2 seemed more closely related. Several valid points were made about our expectations of others to see things the way we think they should...and at the pace we want them to get there. I did like her phrasing of "spiritual accompaniment" and the idea that we may not be meant to walk beside each person for the entire spiritual journey. And I loved the reminder that God loves and values all humans, and not just the ones who love Him. Each person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and none of us are perfect.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.
You don't have to read the 3 sections in the order they are written, but that is how I chose to read the book. Part One is about The Listening Process. Many of us probably think we are much better listeners than we actually are; I know I am guilty too many times of formulating my response while the other person is still speaking. Yet, I also know how often all I want is for someone to listen to what I am saying. This is certainly an area I need to do for others as I would like for them to do for me. There was excellent advice included on becoming a better listener.
Part Two is Discovering And Sharing Faith and Part Three is The Source. I admit that the line between these sections were a bit more difficult for me to separate. All three sections flowed, but the last 2 seemed more closely related. Several valid points were made about our expectations of others to see things the way we think they should...and at the pace we want them to get there. I did like her phrasing of "spiritual accompaniment" and the idea that we may not be meant to walk beside each person for the entire spiritual journey. And I loved the reminder that God loves and values all humans, and not just the ones who love Him. Each person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and none of us are perfect.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.
November 1, 2012
Okay, where to start, this is an unusual book that will take you through things that you just proclaimed to be true to being able to answer why you believe. At first when receiving this book I was not to sure as to how I would be able to get into it. Because of being a minister and going through dozens of books, classes, etc. I thought oh boy here is another book to tell me how to feel.
Boy I was wrong, I went in with prayer and an open mind to letting God lead me through this book. To open my eyes to something that I may not be doing or hearing or a different way to those things. And He did.
Learn the right way to listen, discover and sharing your faith. I am not going to go through the book and give away any real insight other than to say, "You Need to Check this Book Out for Yourself."
So with that being said Thanks for the opportunity to share this book with my readers. I did receive the book from the Author but it has in no way influenced my review.
I am giving this book the Breath of Life Rating of:
Five Clock Rating!!!
Boy I was wrong, I went in with prayer and an open mind to letting God lead me through this book. To open my eyes to something that I may not be doing or hearing or a different way to those things. And He did.
Learn the right way to listen, discover and sharing your faith. I am not going to go through the book and give away any real insight other than to say, "You Need to Check this Book Out for Yourself."
So with that being said Thanks for the opportunity to share this book with my readers. I did receive the book from the Author but it has in no way influenced my review.
I am giving this book the Breath of Life Rating of:
Five Clock Rating!!!
March 22, 2013
This is a helpful guide to listening.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews