As we begin this new season of ministry together, I invite us to return to a point of beginning in Jesus’ own ministry with his disciples. Following Jesus’ transfiguration atop the mountain, Mark tells us that Peter, James and John are instructed to “listen” to Jesus as they descend the mountain and head back into the towns and villages where Jesus will heal, teach, share meals, and point to the coming Kingdom. Before they are asked to do anything in the name of Christ, they are invited to listen. This is instructive for us, particularly given our location in a society that values activity and doing over listening and being. What might it mean for us to be a church that practices the discipline of “listening’ to Christ in all the people and places Christ comes to us?