Telling Your Congregation’s Story

A Good Story Is the Heart of Evangelism

The Bible is full of stories. Jesus understood the value of a good story more than anyone!

 

There is a resurgence in the interest of good story-telling. Marketers talk about it all the time, but it is rarely discussed in congregational circles and few congregations understand that good story-telling is also at the heart of evangelism.

 

Here is a link to a blog written by a rabbi known for his consulting with Jewish congregations. They are struggling with the same challenges as we Christians. We can learn from one another.

 

Rabbi Hayem Herring features a guest blogger well-versed in marketing.

 

Mission, Marketing and Media Are Inseparable.

 

This is a frequent theme on our 2×2 blog.

 

We see congregations ill-equipped to share their stories. They may be great at re-telling the biblical stories. They may be spectacular at interpreting the biblical stories. But when it comes to telling their own story, they don’t know where to begin.

 

Problem 1:

Congregations rely on the pastor as storyteller and the pastor often does not know the congregation’s story nearly as well as the congregants.

 

Problem 2:

Parishioners rarely have the platform to tell their story. Some are natural networkers and could do a great job, but they have not been encouraged.

 

Problem 3:

Congregations confuse history with “their story.” They can point you to the website or a memorial booklet published at a key anniversary. These invariably recite key pastorates and building projects and organ renovations. These aren’t the type of stories that interest newcomers. The how and why of these stories — the stuff that interests people — are lost in the recitation of names and dates.

 

A congregation’s story isn’t all about the past. Your story is being written every day. You have an opportunity to tell it every time your congregation adopts a cause, reaches a new demographic, accepts a new member, sponsors a student, conducts a mission project or addresses a community concern.

 

Every congregation has a great story with a plot populated with colorful characters—some from the past, some still with us. Your members can tell you why their church is important. They can tell you what sets your congregation apart. They can tell you the congregation’s strengths and passion. They can see into the future.

 

But they are rarely asked.

 

Congregations need to hone the story-telling skills of leaders and members alike. We need to encourage our members to tell their story in any way that is comfortable for them. There should be little attempt to sensor or edit their stories. They must be genuine.

 

Allow your members to witness, write a blog post, speak before the next potluck dinner. Write letters to the editor of the local paper. Encourage them to tell their story on their personal social media pages.

 

Remember the past. Celebrate the current. Show the neighborhood that you are interested in the problems of the community. Talk about moving into the future.

 

People will notice. You’ll be seen as vibrant no matter how large or small you might be.

 

And this could make all the difference.