Notes from Steve for Audioconference 4

1. Building on the blog discussion

I have been reading your blogs, so want to bounce off some of them. I want to offer some applause, generate a question and give an example.

a) The question came to me reading Andrew’s Howley: He writes: “The role of minister is also changing; no longer are ministers the sole source of religious truth.” I want us to discuss this statement in regard to our course on preaching and communication: What is one change in our world? How is that change affecting preaching and communication?

b) Any other general comments that people want to make about the blog process and interactions?

2. Place of creativity in preaching and communication

a) Did anyone look at the Book of Kells and Saint Johns Bible. What struck you? Any “warning flags”?

b) Explore reading 16. General discussion: Any general comments on the reading?

c) How do you respond to the comment on bottom of page 239 “A church committed to seeing people formed in the image of God must explore the implications of encouraging people’s creativity.” If you agree, list some ways a church could do this, might encourage “play”?

3. Explore first two Case studies (remembering that there is no such thing as perfect case study - all humans working with and under deadlines!)

a) 40 Simon Smith - “preaches” Lenten story using visuals (see it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-6a25Yo2wE&feature=player_embedded). General discussion: What questions are raised for you by the case study?

b) Reading 19 Easter Sunday sermon. General discussion: What questions are raised for you by the case study?

4. Storytelling

a) A class exercise. Can we construct a checklist - what makes a good story for use in Kiwi communication? So think of a good story. Why did it work?

b) Give you a “preaching example”. (Somehow the class case study has got lost - top page 49 - storytelling sermon). So instead I want to point you to storytelling sermon, which I preached last year - on my blog here (http://www.emergentkiwi.org.nz/archive/bill-ben-and-their-goat-called-raisins-mark-21-12-storytelling-sermon/). Anything we want to add to our list? What questions are raised for us and our communication by this case study?