In preparation for a program on meeting for worship and vocal ministry, I have been rereading some contemporary sources. Here is quote from Rachel Muers’ Keeping God’s Silence.

The most important risk taken in listening, however, is not the risk of being “defeated” by some more powerful speaker, but the risk shared with the one who is listened to, of allowing unpredictable creativity.  The listener’s silence requires willingness to “make space” for the new, the unexpected, and the undeveloped thought.  Listening is repeatedly described as that which permits “transmutation” or “transformation,” the emergence of genuine novelty or creativity – from the “gathering” and integration of previously separated discourses and ideas, and the interruption of monologs.  What emerges as a result of listening cannot be predicted on the basis of what is “said”.

This quote reminds me of another from Bill Taber: “You know vocal ministry is from the spirit when it deepens the silence.