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“Too much information is coming at us!” “Everything moves and changes too fast!” “So much noise; so many messages!”
All this is a great challenge for those who want to spread “the Good News” of Jesus and His message of peace and love. How can we share this joy with others?
A new model, to be tested in workshops throughout India in October, 2009, will help meet this challenge.
The three components of the model are: - Biblical Storytelling techniques (Bible stories memorized and shared orally)
- Digital culture awareness (knowledge of the realities of our technological, digitized global tools and networks)
- Theological integration of the above two components
Biblical Storytelling Dr. Thomas Boomershine founded the Network of Biblical Storytellers (NOBS) in 1977. He and his wife Amelia Cooper Boomershine have conducted workshops on different continents in this technique of getting close to Jesus through oral presentation of biblical stories. Tom is a recognized biblical scholar who has long been sensitive to communication systems of the digital age and the challenge this presents to churches.
Digital Culture Awareness Dr. Frances Forde Plude has written for three decades about dialogical technologies and their impact upon theology and church ministries. Recently she has expanded her research to probe deeply into the impact of digital technologies (cell phones, Internet social networks, etc.) on global economies, global activism, and the self-awareness of individuals. She has also researched the unique characteristics of the new Net Generation (ages 11 to 31). This is the global environment in which we tell our stories.
Theological Integration Rev. Dr. Joseph Palakeel, from Kerala, India, studied theology at the Gregorian University, Rome, where he also studied about communication and culture. He has taught seminarians and pastoral associates in India, based upon Vatican II’s document Dei Verbum and the recent Bishops’ Synod on Holy Scripture. He specializes in communication theology in which he explores the impact of new communication technologies and on theology, ministry and mission. He is also building upon the recent Mission Congress “Telling the Story of Jesus in Asia” organized by the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference (FABC). At the IMPACT Center in India he integrates theology, biblical storytelling, and today’s digital culture.
India Programs, October 2009 In India the new Evangelization model will be demonstrated in: - A three-day conference for/with biblical scholars/Bangalore
- Two 2-day workshops for pastoral personnel/Delhi/Bangalore
- One 3-day “epic telling” intensive workshop/Cochin
- Three 1-day digital workshops/Ujjain/Aluva/Cochin
What’s New Here? - The model’s foundation is scriptural, oral, experiential
- This links with the human desire to “tell stories”
- This builds upon the prayer of lectio divina
- This approach helps to interiorize Bible stories, enhancing spirituality
- This provides a new model for evangelization by telling biblical stories
- The model integrates a deep understanding of global digital culture
- This links with digital storytelling globally (FaceBook, Twitter, etc.)
- There is a strong theological dimension within the model
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New Evangelization model