Through Mennonite Women USA’s International Women’s Fund (IWF), scholarships are awarded to help women around the world receive training for church leadership. Recently, we invited one of them, Chialis Thuan of Indonesia, to share about her experience, and the vision she holds for her work going forward. Chialis, who is pursuing a Masters of Arts in Christian Formation from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, had this to say:
As I have been engaged in my final project for the MA in Christian Formation, I have developed an interest in a pastoral ministry called Soul Listening that I am discovering in the book The Gift to Listen, the Courage to Hear by Dr. Cari Jackson. Even though I have not yet completed reading it, the ministry described in this book is sufficient to spark my desire to practice it. After years of serving God within the church, I have observed that numerous church members, particularly women, carry many heavy life stories. While some women are willing to share their life stories with their pastors or close friends, many often opt to keep them private. Women are often the ones who take on the role of helper or listener. Too often as women, we dismiss our own need to be heard, and being heard is a part of maintaining our mental health.
Pastoral care is commonly perceived as a role executed solely by a pastor in a church setting. However, given the disparity between the number of pastors and the congregants, this ministry not only places a burden on pastors in a church but also on the members. Frequently, members of a congregation, particularly women or mothers, may feel that their struggles are not significant enough to warrant the attention of their pastors, so they decide to keep those experiences to themselves. This mirrors my own experience while serving in a Mennonite church in Indonesia.
The unique aspect of the Soul Listening ministry that is catching my attention, is that it is accessible to every follower of Christ and does not restrict itself to those in church leadership roles. Therefore, it is entirely feasible for members of a congregation to engage in this for their own community, provided they are willing to learn how to be Soul Listeners in a world where the art of listening has gradually diminished. Although I myself am still working on becoming a better Soul Listener, I hope to see this ministry being practiced in the church community. I imagine this ministry of listening with sincerity and compassion will have a much greater impact than simply asking what prayer requests they want the pastor or campus pastor to pray for them.
Chialis Thuan
Master’s Student
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary
At Mennonite Women USA, we are honored to partner with Chialis in bringing this timely ministry into the church both at home and abroad. Chialis, may God’s blessing be upon every good work of your heart and hands. And may we all follow in your footsteps as we lean in and listen to our sisters. May it bring healing and wholeness to us each.
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