For millennials, disagreement is now interpreted as judgment, and that this interpretation is up over 100% from older generations.

Twice as many millennials outside the church are interested in learning more about Christianity and what it could mean for their lives compared to older non-Christians.

The top qualities they would look for in a person with whom to talk about faith are:
“listens without judgment” (62%)
“does not force a conclusion” (50%)

However, only a minority would say the Christians they know personally possess these qualities:
listens without judgment (34%)
does not force a conclusion (26%)

The future blueprint of our Church must create more space to listen.

This isn’t just the way forward… it’s been the way of Jesus all along.

Our current cultural moment finds many of us without connection and community and within an increasingly growing-hostile-to-Christianity secular society. Some may even wonder if God is there and if He cares. Like the shepherd in the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus is still seeking out those far from Him. He longs to be with them, to comfort them, and draw them near.  He invites us to seek them out, too.

Alpha at Our Lady of Mercy is upon us once again, it is where people have been hospitably welcomed to bring questions, disorientation, and even hostility to the table—and experience love through listening.