Everyone loves a good story. There is something about the characters, the tension and the resolution of those elementary components of a good story. Jesus himself used stories more than any other tool to relate the Kingdom of Heaven to those who had ears to hear. From the perspective of the pulpit, you can see an unconscious shift in the body posture of the congregation when you say, “Let me tell you a story.” The congregation leans forward slightly. They seem to relax.
Let me suggest a couple of benefits to your sermons that result from good storytelling.
1. Stories capture the imagination of your congregation.
Without a doubt, seated in the congregations that pastors serve on a week-in and week-out basis are men and women whose imaginations are waiting to be sparked. They want to be drawn in. They want to imagine what it would feel to walk with Jesus. They want to feel the spray of the water on Peter’s face as he stepped into the boat. To wonder, as John writes in his gospel that captures the imagination, what the perfume smelled like when its aroma filled the room.
Often in many sermons, the imagination is left untouched. In a noble effort to be accurate and to avoid emotionalism, many become guilty of being emotionless. Good storytelling is a way to capture the imagination of the congregation, drawing them in to see the scriptures in a new way.
2. Stories deepen the point.
The reason most pastors tell stories—at least the reason they should—is to deepen the point they are trying to make from God’s word.
Over the course of a pastoral career, hundreds if not thousands of sermons will be given and lessons taught. Over the course of a pastor’s own faith development, hundreds and thousands of sermons and lectures have already been listened to. How many of those are remembered?
Now, how many stories given in those messages and lectures are remembered?
Stories should never be told just for the stories’ sake, but, if used appropriately, stories will deepen the point that is being made.
Source: ChurchLeaders.com | Rob Hurtgen
