Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

What’s holding us back from sharing our faith stories?

As editor of ECF Vital Practices, I think about this a lot. I have the privilege of hearing – and sharing - amazing stories of how faith communities are responding to God’s call through ECFVP and Vestry Papers, yet, often, when I visit the congregation’s web site, I find no mention of these amazing ministries. Why is that? We know that people connect to stories. So what’s holding us back?

And, more importantly, what can I – and others – do to change this?

Here’s a short list of things that hold us back:

• It hasn’t occurred to us. We consider our newsletters, websites, and other communications tools only as means for sharing information.
• It’s one more thing to do.
• Scarcity of time, money, staff, or expertise.

These resources are designed to help us learn to become better at sharing our stories.

• Feeding Others and Ourselves by Nancy Davidge, ECF Vital Post, February 16, 2012

• Lights. Camera. Action. by Terri Matthes, Vestry Papers, July 2012

• Mnemonics and Telling Stories by Richelle Thompson, ECF Vital Post, June 27, 2012

• Praying Facebook by Greg Syler, ECF Vital Post, January 15, 2014

• Sharing our Church Through Stories by Barbara Dundon, Vestry Papers, November 2010

• Telling Our Stories, by Nancy Davidge, ECF Vital Post, June 7, 2013

• Telling Stories by Jeremiah Sierra, ECF Vital Post, January 14, 2013

• 10 Icebreaker Questions to Ask on Your FB Page by Laura Leist Catalano, ECF Your Turn

• Tips for Instagram Photos and Videos for Churches by Laura Leist Catalano, ECF Vital Posts, July 4, 2013

• Using New Media to Tell a Story by Jeremiah Sierra, ECF Vital Post, April 1, 2013

• Writing Our Stories by Richelle Thompson, ECF Vital Post, October 10, 2013 

Communicating Stewardship Year Round