Upon completion, the Dream Forum will have launched with a listening retreat, included monthly listening sessions with companions, and offered two separate 2 week “intrusive prayer” listening journeys. It’s safe to say a pillar of the Goldenwood Dream Forum is inviting its participants to a posture of listening.
The intrusion of tuning my heart, mind, soul and spirit to God in work context stretched an under-worked muscle, resulting in creativity and hope I cannot take credit for. It’s a pillar and invitation I’m eager to take up. Though not new, through this experience, I’m inspired to re-imagine what’s possible for more seamless prayer and work.
My dream to empower blue collar small business owners most proximate to marginalized communities to work with hope and love, involves offering these entrepreneurs a friends and family community for work. Equipping, counsel, capital and vision for serving God and neighbor through work. This dream is in part inspired by the truth that though circumstances often indicate otherwise, God is always near – eager to speak, listen and commune with us.
Yet, in the program I run, the invitation to listening is merely an add-on, icing on the cake, rather than a pillar. I’m inspired now to consider how our program might be re-shaped if a desired outcome was an enduring posture of listening in the being of these entrepreneurs.
What could happen if these brothers and sisters, proximate and already in relationship to those in our communities who tend to be forgotten, listened for good?
Speak Lord, for your servants are listening.
Steve Teng is one of twelve Dreamers in Goldenwood’s 2024 Dream Forum. This reflection is part of Goldenwood’s #InsidetheDreamPod series. Hear more from Steve at the Dream Forum on November 7th.
About Steve’s Dream, A Movement of Redemptive Work From the Margins: Much of the faith and work movement has overlooked resourcing and dignifying the daily work of those within under-resourced communities. I dream of a movement of redemptive work thriving in marginalized communities. It would start with the Church stepping in as “friends and family” for believers who may not have “friends and family” in business. Through a collective initiative, we could offer access to capital, relationships, and formation and partner with entrepreneurs most proximate to the margins of our cities in bringing hope and renewal to the communities that need it most.