All Things New Planning Update: Listening as a way of being Church

By Brenda Kresky

Listening is at the heart of what it means to be the Church. In a world filled with noise, distractions and competing voices, the act of truly listening — to God and to one another — becomes a foundational principle that shapes the life and mission of the Church. The ability to listen with openness and humility allows the Church to discern the will of God and to walk together in unity. Without listening, we risk losing sight of our purpose and direction, but with it, we create a community rooted in love, understanding and divine guidance

As followers of Christ, our first responsibility is to listen to God. Scripture is filled with examples of individuals and communities that discerned their path through attentive listening. From Moses hearing God’s voice in the burning bush (Exodus 3:4) to Elijah encountering God in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12), Scripture underscores the importance of quieting our hearts to recognize divine guidance.

Jesus himself modeled a life of listening. He frequently withdrew to pray, seeking direction from the Father before making decisions (Luke 6:12). His ability to listen to God fueled his ministry, leading him to the poor, the marginalized and the brokenhearted. As the Church, we are called to follow this example by fostering a deep spiritual life where prayer, reflection and engagement with Scripture are central. When we listen to God, we gain clarity about our mission, our service to others and the ways we are called to bring justice and love into the world.

Listening to God is not passive; it requires intentionality. This means setting aside time for silence, practicing discernment and engaging in communal prayer. It also means being attentive to the ways God speaks through circumstances, people and the movements of the Holy Spirit within our hearts. The Church thrives when it listens to God first, allowing divine wisdom to illuminate the path forward.

Listening to God leads naturally to listening to one another. The Church is not a collection of isolated individuals but a community united in faith. Just as the early Church gathered to pray, discuss and discern the movement of the Spirit (Acts 15:28), so too must we come together in a spirit of openness and dialogue.

True listening requires humility and a willingness to be changed by what we hear. When members of the Church engage in deep, respectful listening, they build trust and create spaces where every voice is valued — where the experiences, insights and concerns of all members are acknowledged. This is especially important in moments of decision-making, as collective discernment ensures that the Church remains aligned with God’s
will rather than personal ambitions or agendas.

The All Things New pastoral planning process uses listening as a way of being Church as a guiding principle to ensure that the needs of the community are heard and that they align with God’s will. Gathering input from parishioners and leaders to assess current challenges is paramount. These insights are prayerfully considered, allowing for the Holy Spirit to guide the decision-making process. Decisions are not made in isolation but emerge from collective wisdom through consensus-driven discussions, to create actionable plans that reflect the mission of the Church. This approach fosters engagement, accountability and a sense of co-responsibility among the faithful.

When we listen to God, we grow in wisdom and purpose. By making listening a guiding principle, the Church becomes a place where people feel heard, valued and led by the Spirit. This commitment to attentive listening enables the Church to respond faithfully to the needs of the world while remaining rooted in God’s truth. As we move forward in this planning process, may we embrace listening as a sacred act — one that draws us closer to God, to one another and to the mission we are called to fulfill.

Action Steps for April

Celebrate Easter — particularly paying attention to the Paschal Mystery — the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

Diocesan Level

• Hold first meetings with the All Things New Planning Committee
• Begin preparing for the second meeting

ACC Level

• After the first meeting, pray and ponder the information presented in the first meeting. What guiding principles need to be addressed in your ACC? What design parameters need to be addressed in your ACC?

Brenda Kresky is the Director of Planning for the Diocese of St. Cloud.

Pictured above: Participants break into small-group discussion during the fifth Pastoral Visit with Bishop Neary at St. Mary’s Cathedral last March. (Dianne Towalski / The Central Minnesota Catholic)