Narrative Worship Workshop
For anyone interested in storytelling and spiriual journey
Find, develop and tell stories that define your life.
Friday, April 22, 2022
Historic Friends Meeting House in Old City Philadelphia
10am - 6pm (lunch and dinner included)
What happened to the old-fashioned church testimony meeting where believers would give witness to their personal experience with God? Have we lost our first love or become too busy, or embarrassed by the gospel? Maybe we’ve become jaded by the use of story as a marketing tool. Selling good news is not what Jesus meant when he said, “You shall be my witnesses.” Seeking to redeem the purpose and integrity of personal testimony, this interactive workshop presents a simple universal story map used in the biblical narrative that conforms to what we now understand about communication patterns and the biology of storytelling. After this workshop, you will be able to:
- Use personal narrative to reveal who God is and is not
- Build a culture of storytelling in your community
- Tell undeniable stories that encourage worship
- Explain how the brain responds to a well-constructed story
- Strengthen relationships through storytelling
Narrative worship is not just for Sunday meetings or sermon preparation. It can happen over a cup of coffee or around the dinner table. Well-told stories can shift hearts, decisions, and actions. They can bring peace and hope when facts and truth alone are impotent. With effective guideposts to provide a structure proven effective, your story can shed light on the nature of God that outweighs personal opinion. Yet the outline you will learn is so simple it can be used to unlock the wisdom of children.
In a relaxed and trusting atmosphere, you’ll be able to explore and share your own story. Space is limited to ensure personal attention to your own unique narrative and your contribution to the story we will create together about who God is among us as we meet together. Share fellowship over meals and attend (optional) the performance of No Graven Image at the FringeArts Theater following the workshop.
This workshop is offered at NO COST TO YOU, thanks to a Vital Worship grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment, Inc. A reservation fee of $50 will hold your spot but will be fully refunded when you attend the workshop.
Facilitators:
Rev. Ron King, DMin
As the director of Sidebar Stories, Ron is dedicated to the study and promotion of storytelling to change dominant social narratives that harm people, families and communities. His experience comes from the narrative practice of a pastor, family therapist and hospice chaplain. His emphasis on trust and relationships open the door for new stories to be discovered that make a difference.
Kristyn Komarnicki
Kristyn is director of the Oriented to Love dialogue program at Christians for Social Action, helping Christians have more generative conversations about sexual/gender diversity in the church. Fascinated by what happens when we approach our “other” in the posture of a learner—with vulnerability, bravery, curiosity, and humility—Kristyn enjoys reframing conflict not as something to be feared or avoided but as an opportunity for maturing in Christ. Personal story is at the heart of her dialogue work.
Rev. Jeff Burns, DMin
Jeff is the director of Pathways to Peace, a peacemaking organization that uses storytelling to bridge the gap between diverse faith communities. He will be sharing his own story of struggle with religious narratives that have been toxic to his spiritual life. Jeff brings the courage to tell hard stories when the risks are real. You will learn from Jeff how to find your own story and make it count for good.
Attendance at the evening performance of NO GRAVEN IMAGE at the FringeArts Theater is included as an optional part of the workshop. The FrigeArts Theater is a 15 minute walk from the Friends Meeting House. If you plan to attend the evening performance, register here. COVID precautions will follow the City of Philadelphia guidance on April 22 for both events.
For more information, call Ron King at (609) 332-2798