TryTank Experimental Lab (a VTS project) and Future of Faith offer these reflections on the power of listening in faith growth.
 Have you ever noticed how many people avoid faith conversations because they worry about sounding “preachy” or offending someone else? In Future of Faith’s recent study about listening and faith formation, interviews confirmed that many people carefully pick who they trust with spiritual talk. “I pick and choose who I share that conversation with…I don’t wanna feel preachy or that I’m forcing anybody to feel what I feel. Faith is sensitive,” says Shani, age 26. In other words, even when you want to hear about someone’s faith life, they might be hesitant for fear of offending you. But there’s a surprisingly simple remedy: genuine, nonjudgmental listening marked by small gestures like eye contact and follow-up questions. When this posture is present, people open up with renewed ease. Go deeper: Elias, 29, calls it “a two-way street.” Listen first, and watch how quickly others become willing to share their thoughts and even hear yours in return. By staying curious and resisting the urge to fix or lecture, you create room for authentic connection, which fosters trust and prompts more profound questions of faith. This echoes the biblical call to “be quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19). When we genuinely pause to hear others, we reflect the heart of Christ, who so often asked questions and heard people’s stories before offering guidance. Active listening isn’t just a good practice—it’s a reflection of the Incarnation itself, where God steps into our world, meets us where we are, and truly hears our hearts. And that is where true transformation begins. (Future of Faith is the research partner of TryTank Research Institute.) |
Formation 