Podcast Summary

Podcast: River Valley Church
Episode: Message | Speak Lord, We’re Listening - Pastor Rob Ketterling
Date: January 25, 2026
Speaker: Pastor Rob Ketterling

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode is part two of River Valley Church’s “Vision” message series, focusing on the theme “Speak, Lord, We're Listening,” inspired by 1 Samuel 3. Pastor Rob Ketterling urges the congregation to deepen their sensitivity to God's voice, nurture authentic discipleship, and respond to the church’s mission and vision for the coming year. The message is practical and pastoral, blending scriptural insights, neuroscientific observations about listening, and River Valley’s specific vision initiatives.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Invitation to Deeper Prayer and Worship

• A special call to gather for intercessory prayer and worship at all campuses, concluding the church’s 21 days of prayer and fasting.
• Distinction between intercessory prayer (5-6pm, more intense and burden-bearing) and worship (6pm onward, lifting heaviness in God’s presence).
• Biblical Parallel: Joshua’s encounter with the angel in Joshua 5 as a model for seeking God amid chaos (01:30).

Quote:
"In the midst of all the chaos, what are we gonna do? We're gonna fall on our face, we're gonna pray, we're gonna worship, and we're actually gonna live out our theme... Speak, Lord. What do you have to say for me?"
— Pastor Rob Ketterling (02:30)

2. Vision Refresher: Salvation, Baptism, Missions, and Growth

• Goals for the year:
  • Grow by 1,000 people, prioritizing evangelism in Minnesota.
  • 1,000 water baptisms; 400 first-timers on global teams (missions).
  • Approve 40 new missionaries out of 500; raise $15 million for Kingdom Builders.
  • Launching “Global 33” through focusing on 10 mission cities.
• Upcoming “Selah Services”: Occasional services focused on extended worship, shorter sermons, and listening for God’s voice.

Quote:
"One moment in the presence of God changes everything. I can't tell you how many people are like, 'What did I feel when I was at church?'... Power of the Holy Spirit."
— Pastor Rob Ketterling (10:40)

3. The Challenge of Truly Listening — To God and Others

The Science and Art of Listening:

• Listening is an active process—our brains predict, edit, and even sometimes invent what we hear (14:10).
• Our listening capacity far exceeds most people’s speaking speed, creating "extra space" that can lead to distraction if not disciplined.
  • Note-taking recommended as an aid to attentive listening and prayer.
• Selective hearing: what we value, we notice; emotion shapes what lingers in our memory.
• Cultural and algorithmic bias: what we consume online or in news can divide even church communities (Talk to a 12 year old, they'll help you deprogram your algorithm —20:20).

Quote:
"What you value determines what you hear. ... You come to church and you don't value the word of God, you don't value this preaching... you don't hear it."
— Pastor Rob Ketterling (18:30)

• Silence increases comprehension and memory more than repetition does—reinforcing the wisdom of pairing prayer and stillness (Psalm 37:7).

4. Spiritual Listening: Ears of the Heart

• Jesus' invitation: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15; repeated in Revelation), calling for a deep, spiritual posture of listening—not just with physical ears, but with the heart.
• Spiritual listening involves faith, attentiveness, and openness—even to uncomfortable correction (30:30).

Quote:
"Listening should cost us some comfort. ... When we hear Jesus' voice, he doesn't just say, 'You're doing a great job, everything's fine.'"
— Pastor Rob Ketterling (29:55)

5. God Speaks — Our Response Matters

• When God speaks, it’s to reveal who He is, His will and purpose, offer direction, warning, correction, assurance, mercy, and sometimes judgment.
• Alluding to the Book of Jonah: sometimes we listen, sometimes we run, but God’s call is persistent.
• Shepherd imagery: Sheep follow the shepherd’s voice (John 10:27). The relationship is ongoing and personal.

Quote:
"My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. ... Shepherds don't drive sheep from the back with a whip. They lead them with their voice."
— Pastor Rob Ketterling (40:10)

• The true measure isn't louder faith or worship, but truer listening that leads to obedience.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Selective Hearing:
  “Emotion determines what you hear more than volume… before rational processing even kicks in, the emotion starts to turn.” (19:30)

• On the Need for True Listening:
  “I believe God isn't looking for louder faith, but I think he's looking for truer listening.” (47:10)

• EF Hutton Analogy:
  “If E.F. Hutton's speaking, you better listen. ... If God is speaking to us today, we better listen.” (34:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Vision Review & Introduction – 04:40
• Call to Prayer & Worship – 01:30
• “Selah Services” Explained – 09:40
• The Neuroscience of Listening – 14:10
• Selective Hearing/Valuing God’s Voice – 18:30
• Impact of Silence in Hearing God – 21:45
• Listening Fatigue & Bias – 26:10
• Spiritual Listening—Ears of the Heart – 30:00
• If God Speaks, We Must Listen – 34:00
• Shepherd & John 10 Imagery – 40:10
• Closing Prayer for True Listening – 48:35

Conclusion

Pastor Rob Ketterling concludes by leading the church in a prayer to become truer listeners—disciples who don’t just encounter God in noise or volume, but who attune their spiritual ears, ready to respond, be corrected, and follow the Shepherd wherever He leads. The challenge of the week, and the year, is not just to hear—but to listen deeply, with faith and openness, to what God is saying.

Quote:
"Speak, Lord. We're listening. May we be better listeners. In Jesus name I pray. Amen and amen."
— Pastor Rob Ketterling (50:05)

For further engagement: Attend the upcoming worship/prayer nights, participate in Global 33, and practice intentional stillness in your own walk with God.