INVESTIGATING THE IMPORTANCE OF EFFICIENT LISTENING AND FEEDBACK IN THE CHURCH IN NIGERIA FOR THE ONGOING SYNOD ON SYNODALITY: A QUALITATIVE REVIEW

Listening is one of the most difficult human actions, as such most of the problems found in the Church today are as a result of a deficiency in listening. Like talking and hearing, listening is a complex process best maintained by knowing the barriers that affect it. It is a vital tool for all kinds of communication for the successful execution of a common discourse. An important component of efficient listening is feedback. Feedback helps in learning to understand the match between behaviour and original intention. Efficient listening and feedback enhance the ability to learn and adopt new information, knowledge, and skills. Pope Francis in his call for the synod on synodality encourages people both within and outside the Church to listen to one another. However, there are some unanswered questions with regards to the best type of listening skill to be employed. To search for the best kind of listening skill for a synodal Church this study titled "Investigating the Importance of Efficient Listening and Feedback in the Church in Nigeria for The On-Going Synod on Synodality: A Qualitative Review" anchors on conceptualizing listening. It employs the narrative approach to explain efficient listening as best for a synodal Church in the Nigerian Pastoral Context. It explains the concept of feedback, categories of listening, and barriers to efficient listening as an option for the Church in Nigeria. It concludes that efficient listening is active listening, that is listening with the ear of the heart.

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