Using narrative to enhance a congregation's sense of identity and purpose

John M Nelson

Etd

Using narrative to enhance a congregation's sense of identity and purpose

Public Deposited

MLA citation style (9th ed.)

John M Nelson. Using Narrative to Enhance a Congregation's Sense of Identity and Purpose. Princeton Theological Seminary. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/20ccb04e-4b88-49f9-b2ad-3097a178d296.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

J. M. Nelson. Using narrative to enhance a congregation's sense of identity and purpose. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/20ccb04e-4b88-49f9-b2ad-3097a178d296

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

John M Nelson. Using Narrative to Enhance a Congregation's Sense of Identity and Purpose. Princeton Theological Seminary. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/20ccb04e-4b88-49f9-b2ad-3097a178d296.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

John M Nelson

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Abstract

In the eighth and ninth years of serving this congregation, a 'leveling off' was experienced after seven years of vitality and growth. The congregation needed to address this issue and the issue of continuing fit of the congregation's vision and the pastor's vision of ministry. A study focused on the congregation's identity by utilizing the narrative of the congregation. The format of the study was a series of six sessions involving elders and committed members of the church. It was hypothesized that reflecting on the church's journey of faith in its history could cause the congregation to ponder positive attributes and in turn bolster the congregation's self-esteem, hope, and energy, and contribute to a more responsible and effective expression of the congregation's faith commitments. The congregation articulated their vision clearly in the study process, and ambiguity about the church's self-understanding and future was addressed.

Publisher