Experiential Storytelling

"Been there, done that" culture that's starving for reality. Hardly satisfied with the modern conventions of citing facts and figures and pushing propositions, emerging churches are diving into the narrative form of communication with both feet. But that doesn't mean all emerging church leaders have an inherent handle on the craft and skill...and that's where this book comes in. Experiential Storytelling zeros in on the hows and whys of the narrative, as well as the communication of personal experience...which doubles the storytelling ammunition. In addition, author Mark Miller goes several steps further, arguing for (and giving examples of) real-time, hands-on experiences for church members as innovative extensions of traditional teaching and preaching that offer them greater scriptural understanding and ownership of the gospel story. (One of these experiences he calls The Jesus Journey---created to revive the metanarrative by putting people INTO the story. There are no 3-point messages on the retreat. There are no how-tos on Christian living. There's simply trust in the Holy Spirit to provide the teaching while the group experiences it.) Here's how the chapters break down: Chapter 1 (The Experiential Generations) The Postmodern generations X and Y are the most media saturated generations in history. While a lot has been written on these generations, the author will focus on their media savvy as well as their "been there, done that" attitude and how that has and will continue to affect the Church and its relevancy. Chapter 2 (Awakening The Sleeping Giant In The Church- C*R*E*A*T*I*V*I*T*Y) Once the source for creativity in culture, the Church has now become an out of date and out of touch institution full of staid tradition. It is time to rediscover that God is the author of creativity and that the Church should be leading the way. A historical snapshot of what storytelling has meant to cultures throughout history...the idea that a long long time ago, EVERYTHING was communicated via storytelling...will also be explored. Chapter 3 (Reimagining The "Sermon") Are the days of the preacher numbered or is the concept of preacher being altered? It is no secret that Jesus was a storyteller, Scripture is clear on this. This method of communication is more relevant now than at any time in recent history. Propositional truths and 5 "how-to's" will not cut it anymore. Chapter 4 (Making a Good story Great) The new storytellers of today are the Hollywood screenwri