Sharing story -- recovering community: a process for discovering identity and purpose for small congregation churches

Joe E Bowers

Etd

Sharing story -- recovering community: a process for discovering identity and purpose for small congregation churches

Public Deposited

MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Joe E Bowers. Sharing Story -- Recovering Community: a Process for Discovering Identity and Purpose for Small Congregation Churches. Wesley Theological Seminary. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/eed96047-daf8-4452-8bb8-b7eb34572fd6.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

J. E. Bowers. Sharing story -- recovering community: a process for discovering identity and purpose for small congregation churches. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/eed96047-daf8-4452-8bb8-b7eb34572fd6

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Joe E Bowers. Sharing Story Recovering Community: a Process for Discovering Identity and Purpose for Small Congregation Churches. Wesley Theological Seminary. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/eed96047-daf8-4452-8bb8-b7eb34572fd6.

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

Creator

Joe E Bowers

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Abstract

This project offers ways for small congregation churches to discover identity, recover community, and develop intentionality through story. The author presents historical and Wesleyan theological foundations that offer validity for the import and perseverance of such churches. Instruments based on the interaction of biblical narrative, church history, and personal spirituality were designed to advance the spiritual growth of a core study group. The congregation explored methods of reframing their story through historical reflection of past narrative events, faith visioning for the future and community building through creativity and play. The implication of this project are that a rural small membership church with God's help, faithful utilization of their spiritual resources, and diligence, can recover their community and purpose of mission.

Publisher