Listening and caring skills according to John Savage offers specific and teachable listening skills for improving relationships among those who do ministry. The skills are taught through oral exercises and unfailingly helpful examples from actual congregational situations. Some of the skills include expression of feelings and emotions which includes the skill of direct expression of feeling, indirect expression of emotions and direct expression of feelings. Our feelings and emotions can be induced by many things from the external world. The more [one] is aware of the emotions and feelings the more you can determine how you will act or behave (John Savage 49, 50). Fogging, John Savage compares it to with a bank, in some aspects, …show more content…
At some point in my life while doing ministry I have been criticized. Sometimes it was too difficult for me to accept criticism. However, after reflecting on What John Savage explained I have seen that I can either use criticism in a positive way to improve, or in a negative way that can lower my self-esteem and cause me stress, anger or even aggression. If one is not humble enough when challenged by another person, it is common to react in a negative manner because it challenging one’s ideas, character or ability, and it can hurt one’s sense of pride .on the other hand, constructive criticism, is designed to point out your mistakes, but also shows one where and how improvements can be made. This reminds me of the woman who came to ask Jesus to heal her daughter “….Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs. “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. (Mathew 15: 26-28). Although Jesus’ response was negative the woman touched Jesus’ heart by her positive reaction. I then question, own can I see criticism as an opportunity to improve my