Effective Communication Through the Gift of Listening

By ELLIOTT LYONS M. DIV.

This is a must have, in terms of valuable additions to your collection of self help books. Dont miss out on it! It offers a wealth of information and knowledge on communicating effectively. Hands-on tools and practical solutions are offered, from a personal as well as professional standpoint. It is recommended for both the professionals as well as nonprofessionals. The practical as well as spiritual components are combined to offer workable solutions to communication problems.

The subject is genuinely explored through research and practical life experiences. You will have a fresher perspective on the power of this priceless but yet affordable gift called listening. This book gives a detailed analysis regarding the various components involved in effective communication. It also describes the barriers to avoid in communication breakdowns. It will better equip individuals to approach with a greater degree of knowledge, confidence, as well as understanding, this unique process called communication.

The authors thirty-year career span as both a clinical chaplain (within the chronic mental health and prison unit facilities), along with social worker (within the mental health / forensics, adolescent and substance abuse unit treatment facilities), has provided some insight and tools for addressing the communication subject matter. Pastor Lyons brings over forty-seven years of experience in the areas of counseling, intervention, consultation to this particular body of work. It has been his endeavor to effectively communicate the biblical message, as well as offer pastoral care to others. Communication is an essential as well as priceless gift that each of us can offer through the improvement of our listening skills.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503551732

ELLIOTT LYONS M. DIV.

This book is dedicated to God and to Eretta Lyons, the wife of Elliott, for over 24 years of marriage. It is also a tribute to Elliott’s devout grandmother, Mrs. Rosa Brown, along with his family. He hopes that this book will offer enlightenment, self-help tools, inspiration, as well as a clearer perspective on how to make the best choices for our lives. Elliott was born in Chicago, Illinois to Reverend and Mrs. Elliott and Elsie Lyons and raised by his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Spencer and Rosa Brown in Galveston, Texas. He is a survivor of three near fatal car wrecks, three near death drowning encounters and escape from the ghetto violence crime life. He was given a second chance opportunity to begin a new life. This was the “defining moment” in Elliott’s life, with the acceptance of the call to the ministry in 1968. He understood that God had a greater plan and purpose for his life and would often say that, “God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.” He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas and Master of Divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He holds numerous awards and certificates which include certification in Clinical Pastoral Education-Commissioner’s Award of Outstanding Service / DHR – Substance Abuse and Offender Rehabilitation Counseling Certification – MAC (Masters Addiction Counselor) and CCCJS (Clinically Certified Criminal Justice Specialist), by National Forensic Association and National Board of Addiction Examiners. He is a current member of Cambridge Who’s Who Honor Society. He recorded his first CD entitled, “Songs of Inspiration” in 2007. Pastor Lyons brings to this body of work over 47 years of ministerial experience, which included pastoring, counseling / intervention, consultation, speaking on various school / college campuses, as well as conducting seminars. He retired, after 30 years of service from the Department of Human Resources receiving an award for faithful service in 2008. In February of 2013, he completed his retirement after 4 years of part time service as a consultant with the Developmentally Disabled, serving as a Public Relations Officer. He is an author, having published several books entitled, After Retirement: A New Chapter of Life and Effective Communication Through the Gift of Listening. He has recently completed the writing of his third book entitled, “Defining Moments” On The Journey of Life (2015 Xlibris Publishing). He is married to a devoted wife, The Reverend Eretta B. Lyons (Assistant Pastor of Welcome Chapel). She is currently retired as a Certified Special Education Teacher. He has a beloved son, Elliott Lyons III. Pastor Lyons carries out his ministerial duties, serving as current pastor of Welcome Chapel of Decatur, Georgia. He humbly attributes all of his achievements to the “Glory and Honor of God.”

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by Elliott Lyons, M. Div..

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5035-5177-0

               Softcover       978-1-5035-5176-3

               eBook           978-1-5035-5173-2

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Rev. date: 03/11/2015

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Contents

Chapter 1 Communication Defined

Chapter 2 The Nature of Communication

Chapter 3 Shared Meaning through Dialogue

Chapter 4 Nonverbal Communication

Chapter 5 Verbal Communication

Chapter 6 Barriers to Communication

Chapter 7 Effective Communication

Chapter 8 Offering the Gift of Listening

Summary

Listening Tips

Description of Book

Acknowledgements

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T HE FRONT PAGE photo was taken in August of 1993. An Ecumenical Conference was held at the South – Minster House in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. This was a conference sponsored by South Hill Interfaith Ministries and facilitated by Reverend Eretta Lyons, during her field internship program as a student at the Interdenominational Theological Center located in Atlanta, Georgia.

This meeting proved to be a success in bridging the gaps in both race, as well as denominational organizations. Dialogue and effective communication was established through a united effort of partnership among at least 30 persons of various races and religious, as well as philosophical beliefs and backgrounds. The purpose and objective of this unique gathering was to provide an opportunity for dialogue among races, as well as religious organizations and denominations.

This book is

dedicated to God and to Eretta Lyons, the wife of Elliott, for over 24 years of marriage. It is also a tribute to Elliott’s devout grandmother, Mrs. Rosa Brown, along with his family. As a pastor, he has been intrigued with this area called communication and decided to focus some serious attention and research on it. His ministerial span of over 47 years of speaking and proclaiming the biblical message has brought