Jesus Cropped from the Picture

Becoming People of the Story

The Scriptures are the living testimony and record of the Story. In our worship we historically recite the Story, prophetically proclaim the Story, and dramatically reenact the Story. In initiation and incorporation into our fellowship, we baptize the converted , helping them to identify with and embrace the Story. In our discipleship we learn the Story, memorize andmeditate on the Story, and are trained in the meaning of the Story. In spiritual formation we embody the Story. In counseling and soul care , we enable others to understand their own life stories in juxtaposition to God’s Story. In our service and outreach, we express the Story’s meaning through acts of hospitality and generosity. In our witness we proclaim and announce the Good News of the Story to all who have never heard of God’s great Drama. In our hope we await the consummation and fulfillment of the Story. 135 Every aspect of the church’s activities, programs, structures, and strategies must be evaluated in light of its contribution to the Story. While the Pragmatic Method evaluates based on attendance, giving, and other business-related approaches, the People of the Story measure in terms of faithfulness to the Story , articulated in the Great Tradition. Since this may be a new way of thinking about ministry, it may take considerable practice.

Activity Evaluation As a starting point, every affinity group (see Chapter 17) and every program or activity must be eligible for consideration (see Figure 20).

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