Blog posts after audioconference 4

Thanks for your contributions to the audioconference last night. Before the next audioconference on 13 September, you have two blog posts due. The first one should be written by Monday, 30 August, and the second one by Monday, 13 September. You can write the second one any time in the next three weeks. You don't have to wait until the week before it is due.

Below are three topics. Pick one topic for each blog post.

1. We talked about the fact that stories can meet the spiritual needs of people at different stages of faith development. What other forms of communication, in sermons or in other church settings, can also do that? Describe why and how those other forms of communication might do that. James W. Fowler's stages of faith development are one way of describing differences between people's engagement with the Christian faith. Wikipedia does a good job summarizing Fowler's stages:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fowler's_stages_of_faith_development

2. Stories can mean different things to different people. Does this matter? What are the implications if it does not? Who controls the meaning of a story? In which instances is it a good idea for the preacher to tell a story and then describe what he or she wanted the listeners to get out of the story? When is it a good idea to let a story stand on its own?

3. Personal stories in sermons present numerous challenges. It's important not to focus the attention on oneself too much, sound like all problems can be easily solved, or make the congregation feel they have to take care of the preacher. What are your thoughts about how to achieve these goals? What are other concerns about personal stories and ways to address those concerns? Here’s a blog post by Steve on this topic, which you could read and reflect on, if you like:
http://kiwimadepreaching.wordpress.com/2010/03/23/steve-taylor-stories-can-be-sermons-best-friend/
(Note that both Steve and I are columnists for that blog, the kiwimade preaching blog. There are some interesting posts on that blog. I enjoy reading it, even the posts I didn't write!)