I'm in an Episcopal lay preacher training class. Lacing sermons with good stories of the kind you outline really makes a good sermon, I've been learning. Or at least a sermon that people enjoy and pay attention to.
I can “testify” that this is true. lol. As a former preacher it was always the stories that connected. And virtually the only thin anyone remembered long term.
Did you ever make up stories to tell in sermons? In other words, use fiction as a way of engaging listeners, assuming of course the fictional stories help get the sermon's theme across.
Ha. It's a preacher thing to embellish a bit, I'm sure. A little poetic license here and there is probably assumed. :) I would never totally make up a story and present it as if it happened to me. Or use someone else's story as mine. You can always make up a modern day "parable" and tell it as a metaphor vs a personal story.
The mystics knew this long before neuroscience caught up: stories don’t just inform, they transform. They stir the chemistry of attention, desire, and belonging.
Cortisol says “stay awake.”
Dopamine says “stay curious.”
Oxytocin says “stay human.”
And that cocktail? That’s the sacred trinity of good trouble.
It’s why Jesus told parables and not policy briefs. Why the prophets wept in metaphors. Why every revolution begins with someone saying, “Let me tell you a story…”
You’re not just running someone’s internal pharmacy. You’re lighting the incense in their neurological temple.
This is so true! I just wish many corporate organisations, which are made up of People , all with Stories, could get this! Everyone has a story, everyone loves a story. Listening to and telling stories makes people feel good, motivates and inspires, and aids reflection and creative, collaborative thinking. It’s not that hard…
But it’s challenging to change a culture that thinks making time for listening and telling stories is not “real work”, and “just a waste of time”.
Oh, thanks for that lovely offer! I wish I had known of you in my previous work, trying to get the Board and Executive to really pause and reflect on the organisational purpose, and reason for being…most wanted , and appreciated, well written and impressive sounding documents, but understanding the actual life of the organisation? Not so much. Leadership was about “getting stuff done”, making things look good. Having said that, there were many impressive, loving, caring and thoughtful people that brought life to the work…
I’m currently in a place of uncertainty- facing the realities of ageing, much change over the last few years,and not really sure what I want to do when I “grow up”!😏. So there you go….
I'm in an Episcopal lay preacher training class. Lacing sermons with good stories of the kind you outline really makes a good sermon, I've been learning. Or at least a sermon that people enjoy and pay attention to.
I can “testify” that this is true. lol. As a former preacher it was always the stories that connected. And virtually the only thin anyone remembered long term.
Did you ever make up stories to tell in sermons? In other words, use fiction as a way of engaging listeners, assuming of course the fictional stories help get the sermon's theme across.
Ha. It's a preacher thing to embellish a bit, I'm sure. A little poetic license here and there is probably assumed. :) I would never totally make up a story and present it as if it happened to me. Or use someone else's story as mine. You can always make up a modern day "parable" and tell it as a metaphor vs a personal story.
Joe, this is holy mischief in lab coat form.
The mystics knew this long before neuroscience caught up: stories don’t just inform, they transform. They stir the chemistry of attention, desire, and belonging.
Cortisol says “stay awake.”
Dopamine says “stay curious.”
Oxytocin says “stay human.”
And that cocktail? That’s the sacred trinity of good trouble.
It’s why Jesus told parables and not policy briefs. Why the prophets wept in metaphors. Why every revolution begins with someone saying, “Let me tell you a story…”
You’re not just running someone’s internal pharmacy. You’re lighting the incense in their neurological temple.
Carry on, Story Shaman.
This is so true! I just wish many corporate organisations, which are made up of People , all with Stories, could get this! Everyone has a story, everyone loves a story. Listening to and telling stories makes people feel good, motivates and inspires, and aids reflection and creative, collaborative thinking. It’s not that hard…
But it’s challenging to change a culture that thinks making time for listening and telling stories is not “real work”, and “just a waste of time”.
Go well..
Bernadette - I fully understand. This is what I do all day long so don’t hesitate to reach out of if I can help at all.
Oh, thanks for that lovely offer! I wish I had known of you in my previous work, trying to get the Board and Executive to really pause and reflect on the organisational purpose, and reason for being…most wanted , and appreciated, well written and impressive sounding documents, but understanding the actual life of the organisation? Not so much. Leadership was about “getting stuff done”, making things look good. Having said that, there were many impressive, loving, caring and thoughtful people that brought life to the work…
I’m currently in a place of uncertainty- facing the realities of ageing, much change over the last few years,and not really sure what I want to do when I “grow up”!😏. So there you go….