Mark Lowry & Andrew Greer – The Art Of Conversation

CCM: Why is it so important to listen?
ML: Oh, that’s a good question. I don’t know? I seldom do it.

AG: You do, in your own way. I think when we listen, there is a posture of humility in that, too. When I actually conservatively tell myself, “Andrew, stop talking and listen.” One, I am telling that person just with my body language, with my focus, that they are important. What you have to say is invaluable, even if we disagree, and even if we vehemently disagree. [By listening], I’m saying, “You are valuable.” I think that, in turn, inspires in them a respect for me, as well. They may not agree with everything about me. They may not agree about things in my life. They may not agree about everything from politics, to social topics, to denominations. We [might] have a lot of disagreements.

When you listen, it inspires us to actually see what I think is most common about us. It brings us together, and it also says to me, “My voice is not the only voice out there, it’s not the only idea out there, and it’s not the most important one.”

ML: Listening…it’s impossible to have a conversation if you’re not listening. It’s just a monologue if you’re not listening.

photo: Kelly Jobe

CCM: Mark, tell us about your experience being on the other side of the table.
ML: It’s harder. You have to read up on people, and you have to know who you’re talking to and what you’re talking about. It’s fun because I am usually the one being asked the questions, and it’s fun to dig a little deeper into somebody else’s life and find out what brought them to this place. You see, I was raised to worry that everyone I met, if I didn’t tell them about the Lord, their blood would be on my hands. Since I have realized that is not my responsibility to “save” anybody, I have more opportunities to tell people about the Lord because I’m listening.

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