{"id":54628,"date":"2020-11-20T20:05:37","date_gmt":"2020-11-20T20:05:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=54628"},"modified":"2020-11-20T20:16:19","modified_gmt":"2020-11-20T20:16:19","slug":"alpha-online-challenges-stereotypes-about-church-by-creating-an-open-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2020\/11\/20\/alpha-online-challenges-stereotypes-about-church-by-creating-an-open-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"Alpha Online challenges stereotypes about church by creating an open environment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Following the lead of secular communities, Citizen Church is taking faith online and engaging digital natives with its new awareness initiative<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"Young people sitting around a fire outdoors\" class=\"wp-image-54629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1500x750.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1400x700.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"Young people sitting around a fire outdoors\" class=\"wp-image-54629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1500x750.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch-1400x700.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Millennials and Gen Zs make up a big part of the Citizen Church community, drawn in by the digital format. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Alpha Online is a digital community created to encourage friendly and open discussion about faith that claims to change some of the perceptions, misconceptions and stereotypes of church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizenchurch.org.uk\/pageus\">Citizen Church<\/a> runs the Alpha initiative in Cardiff, but the idea ties back to their parent church &#8211; the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.htb.org\">Holy Trinity Brompton<\/a> (HTB). Their aim is simple &#8211; to reach the unchurched and dechurched members of the Welsh community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPersonally, I\u2019m just keen for us to change some of the &#8230; misconceptions and stereotypes of church,\u201d shares Ryan Forey, the Vicar of Citizen Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>We want Alpha to be a place where people can feel free to really explore their questions together<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Alpha online is just the beginning&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The plan was always to provide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizenchurch.org.uk\/alpha\">Alpha<\/a> online, according to Ryan, but originally it was set to run alongside gatherings in person. Luckily, despite the shift to virtual meetings only, over 60 people have signed up for Alpha this term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt is difficult running it online,\u201d the Vicar admits. \u201cBut we find people are at least more comfortable partaking in things from the comfort of their own homes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The folks at Citizen Church know that one size doesn\u2019t fit all. They group Alpha attendees based on the faith they identify with to avoid religious novices being banded with long-time Christians. As Ryan puts it, \u201cWe want Alpha to be a place where people can feel free to really explore their questions together!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Connecting the Cardiff community<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-300x150.jpg\" alt=\"Young people drinking and talking indoors\" class=\"wp-image-54630\" width=\"337\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-1500x750.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-1400x700.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-300x150.jpg\" alt=\"Young people drinking and talking indoors\" class=\"wp-image-54630\" width=\"337\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-1500x750.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2-1400x700.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_2.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Currently, socials take place in the church courtyard <br>on Woodville road, with refreshments supplied by the Citizen coffee van, which doubles as a gin and cocktail bar. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the Citizen Church launched in Cardiff this September, its community has grown to 130 members, and that\u2019s excluding the Alpha guests.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This digital format of faith is rather popular with younger generations. \u201cWe definitely seem to be engaging most with Millennials and Gen Z,\u201d says the Vicar. \u201cCurrently half of our congregation are students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He attributes the interest in the Citizen Church to the widespread loneliness among people from all paths of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"Group of women and children in an autumnal park\" class=\"wp-image-54631\" width=\"378\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-210x300.jpg 210w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-717x1024.jpg 717w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-770x1100.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-538x768.jpg 538w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-756x1080.jpg 756w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-293x418.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3.jpg 1056w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 378px) 100vw, 378px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"Group of women and children in an autumnal park\" class=\"wp-image-54631\" width=\"378\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-210x300.jpg 210w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-717x1024.jpg 717w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-770x1100.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-538x768.jpg 538w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-756x1080.jpg 756w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3-293x418.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/11\/NoLogo_PollyAng_CitizenChurch_3.jpg 1056w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 378px) 100vw, 378px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Despite the success of virtual meetings church members are keen to meet in person again once the pandemic is over <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-amber-color\">Christmas Church<\/span><\/strong><br>Over Christmas, the Citizen Church will host \u201cJingle Mingle\u201d events for students, young adults and professionals, and families. People can stop by for free mulled wine, hot apple cider, minced pies, and some Mariah Carey!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator is-style-default\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Far-reaching faith<\/span><\/strong><br>The Citizen Church is also planning to run Alpha courses in Cardiff prison, and partner up with Oasis to reach asylum seekers and refugees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><span class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-amber-color\"><strong>Virtual gatherings<\/strong> <\/span><br>Online gatherings will continue after the pandemic, but since people are \u201cdesperate\u201d to gather in person again, the Citizen Church is planning to blend this with more traditional Sunday sessions and pub socials for younger members.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Following the lead of secular communities, Citizen Church is taking faith online and engaging digital natives with its new awareness initiative<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":524,"featured_media":54629,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,207],"tags":[270,2907,288,5860,7031,1068],"coauthors":[7095],"class_list":["post-54628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-no-logo","category-no-logo-home","tag-church","tag-digital","tag-faith","tag-generation-z","tag-millennials","tag-online"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - 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