Conventional sermons have lengthy been the inspiration of preaching, providing deep reflection and theological perception. But they will also be difficult for listeners who study greatest by way of dialogue, storytelling, and interplay. What if sermons may invite participation quite than passive listening?
The Dwelling Tales Mannequin
Dwelling Tales Sermons is a technique of preaching that replaces the monologue with interactive, participatory storytelling and surprise. Rooted in Montessori-inspired pedagogy, Dwelling Tales invitations individuals into the work of meaning-making by way of tactile storytelling and open-ended questioning questions. Somewhat than analyzing scripture from a distance, Dwelling Tales encourages direct engagement: seeing, listening to, and experiencing the sacred narrative collectively.
Dwelling Tales Sermons emerged as a mannequin of preaching on the weekly eucharistic service at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, California as we had been regathering from the pandemic. We at the moment are delighted to share it extensively with different congregations that want to discover this co-creative preaching mannequin with us.
Whereas Dwelling Tales attracts inspiration from Godly Play, there are key variations. Godly Play is primarily designed for kids in formation settings, whereas Dwelling Tales is built-in into the Sunday liturgy and invitations individuals of all ages to co-interpret scripture and create a sermon collectively.
The preacher tells the gospel story utilizing easy wood figures and felt underlays to make the narrative visually and tactilely participating. Somewhat than delivering a pre-written homily, the preacher serves as a facilitator who guides a communal exploration of the story by way of questioning questions. The sermon emerges within the second from the reflections and insights of the congregation.
Dwelling Tales honors the communal nature of decoding scripture and follows the rubrics for worship in eucharistic liturgies in line with “The E book of Frequent Prayer.” The gospel is spoken in its typical place within the liturgy, and concurrently, scripture is enacted with Montessori-inspired collectible figurines. When it comes time for the sermon, as a substitute of a single voice talking on their very own, Dwelling Tales sermons embody radical hospitality by valuing each voice, no matter age or background. Whereas reimagining the sermon, Dwelling Tales maintains liturgical integrity and stays devoted to the rhythms and construction of conventional worship.
What Preaching with Dwelling Tales Seems to be Like
1. Making ready
Preparation, after all, is essential. Preachers have to conduct biblical exegesis as they’d for any sermon, in order that they’re totally ready to help their congregation in doing the work of scriptural interpretation. However quite than writing out a thesis-paper-length sermon, the preacher makes use of a script (like these we’re producing at St. Gregory’s, which we share freely with preachers), gathers their story supplies, and prepares to facilitate the congregation in making a sermonic response to the story within the second of worship.
2. Sharing the Story
Utilizing easy, tactile supplies akin to wood figures, cloth underlays, and printed photographs, the preacher enacts the scripture studying. Because the preacher tells the story, they transfer the figures and props to symbolize key characters, actions, and settings, bringing the narrative to life. This multisensory storytelling invitations individuals to expertise scripture in a holistic means, participating not simply their ears, but in addition their eyes, their hearts, and their imaginations. This bodily illustration of the story helps the congregation immerse themselves extra totally within the biblical narrative, fostering deeper emotional and religious connections. The storyteller’s purpose right here is readability and ease, permitting the story to talk for itself.
3. Questioning and Facilitating with the Group
Sharing the work of scriptural interpretation is important. Utilizing questioning inquiries to information dialogue quite than forcing conclusions permits for real engagement and genuine building of religious formation. When individuals really feel that their voices matter, they’re extra prone to join with the story and uncover that means that resonates with their very own lives.
Mirroring again individuals’ insights ensures that each one voices are heard and valued and reinforces the communal facet of interpretation. This observe additionally deepens theological engagement by permitting individuals to construct on one another’s reflections, making a richer and extra dynamic exploration of scripture.
Making a tradition of participation is key. Encouraging open-ended reflection quite than looking for “proper” solutions permits people to interact extra freely, providing their ideas with out worry of judgment. This fosters an area the place individuals can categorical curiosity, develop theological imaginations, and make connections between the biblical story and their lived experiences. Over time, this observe cultivates a congregation that’s extra comfy exploring the mysteries of religion collectively.
How one can Start with Dwelling Tales
For these fascinated about making an attempt Dwelling Tales Sermons out, I invite you to start by exploring the Living Stories website, which supplies coaching paperwork on facilitation and storytelling, and to reach out by email with any questions. I additionally invite you to sign up for certainly one of St. Gregory’s free month-to-month workshops on Zoom. Workshop attendees will acquire entry to all Dwelling Tales scripts and sources, which embrace digital supplies in addition to pointers for sourcing bodily supplies.
When you find yourself able to share Dwelling Tales on a Sunday along with your congregation, it’s possible you’ll discover it useful to start on a special day, akin to a household service or a delegated intergenerational Sunday. Such events usually give the preacher the excuse to strive one thing new. As a result of Dwelling Tales follows the Revised Frequent Lectionary fully, nonetheless, you should utilize it in any Sunday’s worship.
Go and Do Likewise
Dwelling Tales is easy to start out however deeply transformative. The transition from conventional preaching to a co-creative storytelling mannequin requires a shift in mindset to preaching with your total congregation. This shift acknowledges that there’s already greater than sufficient knowledge within the room; theological that means can emerge not solely by way of the preacher, however by way of the shared knowledge of the gathered group. When embraced totally, Dwelling Tales nurtures a extra engaged and spiritually related congregation, the place every particular person is empowered to discover and interpret scripture in a means that’s personally and communally significant.
Preaching doesn’t need to be a one-way road. Dwelling Tales invitations the entire congregation into the sacred work of preaching, affirming that each voice has a task in decoding scripture. By fostering an surroundings the place individuals can discover religion collectively, church buildings domesticate deeper relationships with the gospel and with one another. This mannequin revitalizes worship, turning sermons into interactive experiences the place religion is each shared and formed in group. By experimenting with this mannequin, church buildings can uncover a extra dynamic, participatory method to participating with the residing Phrase of God.
Strive it, discover its potential, and see the way it transforms your church’s engagement with scripture.
For extra sources and steerage on Dwelling Tales Sermons, go to
www.livingstoriessermons.org.
Featured picture is supplied by St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, California.
