Listening to Understand
Listening to truly understand builds trust and community: both of which are in short supply. Listening to Understand
Rev. Dr. C. Dennis Shaw is a retired Elder in the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served Hilltop United Methodist Church in Sandy, Utah from July 2012 to June 2019 and Stratmoor Hills United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, CO from November 2003 to June 2012. Dennis was in ministry within the Rocky Mountain Conference of the UMC before that in other appointments. Pastor Dennis' believes that God loves us and wants a deep relationship with us. He believes that God has showered us with Grace and forgiveness and that through the Scripture we find healing and hope. Education is a core family value. He has an eclectic education focused on excellence with two degrees from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC: a Doctor of Ministry, awarded in May, 2012, and a Master of Divinity in May 1999 (Summa Cum Laude). He also holds a Master in Business Administration (1979) from Rochester (N.Y). Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Music (1971) from Georgia State University in his hometown of Atlanta. In 1994 Dennis retired as a Regular Army Lieutenant Colonel. Military responsibilities included light infantry, human resource management, and cost analysis. His assignments took him to Alaska, Colorado, New York, Virginia, Kansas, Korea and Germany with brief excursions to other European countries and Japan. Pastor Dennis and Marilyn White have been married for over 35 years and are parents to a blended family with four adult children living in Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia and Texas. Praise God!
Listening to truly understand builds trust and community: both of which are in short supply. Listening to Understand
I like Brian Andreas as both a poet and an artist. A piece of his art and poetry graces the entrance to my study. One of my favorites is: “I once had a garden filled with flowers that grew only on dark thoughts but they need constant attention & one day I decided I had … More One of Us
“So walk on air against your better judgement” from ‘The Gravel Walks” by Seamus Heaney Life is a journey: a metaphor we hear posited on various philosophically laden occasions. That journey is fraught with uncertainty and challenge. On that journey we come across situations, encounter times, where we are torn between rational judgment and desires. … More Carpe Diem
In his book “On Leadership,” John Gardner emphasizes the significance of building trust as a crucial aspect of effective leadership. According to Gardner, trust is the foundation upon which successful leadership is built. Trust is earned: Gardner emphasizes that trust is not bestowed upon leaders but is something that must be earned through consistent actions, … More Trust
Empathy is fundamental to biblical leadership. … More Empathy is Fundamental