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Sacred Storytelling

Practices for Sharing Your Faith

Availability:
Available for Backorder
Publisher:
Westminster John Knox Press
Publication Date:
3/30/2027
ISBN:
9780664269463
Pages:
0
Trim Size
6 x 9
Product Type:
Paper

In this practical and reflective workbook, readers transform ordinary moments into powerful stories of faith, strengthening their ability to share the good news while inspiring others through the power of sacred storytelling.

For many Christians, talking about faith can feel uncomfortable, vulnerable, or even intimidating. Yet stories of faith—whether dramatic or ordinary—have long shaped Christian communities, reminding believers of God's presence in their lives and encouraging them to live with hope, courage, and purpose. Through personal stories, guided reflections, writing exercises, and discussion questions, Carolyn Helsel offers a step-by-step approach to identifying, developing, and authentically sharing stories about our encounters with God in everyday life.

Designed especially for those who may admire the confidence with which others speak about faith but feel unequipped or even afraid to be labeled for sharing their own, this book reframes sacred storytelling as an act of authenticity rather than persuasion. Readers will explore how faith is experienced through moments of vulnerability, community, gratitude, struggle, wonder, and even doubt. Along the way, they will learn to recognize the many ways God may be at work in their lives and discover how those experiences can encourage others.

Suitable for individual devotion, small groups, and congregational study, this interactive guide helps readers move from reflection to practice. In addition to a series of reflections from the author on the importance of sharing our stories, Sacred Storytelling includes:

  • weekly writing prompts on topics such as vulnerability, tradition, nature, and more
  • inspiring examples of faith sharing from Christian history
  • guidelines for sacred storytelling
  • suggestions for congregations, including helps for developing sermons, providing faith-sharing community events, and involving youth

At a time when many churches are searching for renewal, yet many believers are lost for meaningful ways to speak about their faith, this book offers an accessible invitation to tell the stories that matter and help others recognize the sacred in their own lives.

Carolyn B. Helsel is the Associate Professor in the Blair Monie Distinguished Chair of Homiletics at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Prior to joining the faculty in 2015, she served as a transitional pastor for the Presbyterian Church in Sudbury, Massachusetts, and as a visiting professor at both the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and Wartburg Theological Seminary. She is the author of Anxious to Talk about It: Helping White Christians Talk Faithfully about Racism and Preaching about Racism: A Guide for Faith Leaders. Together, both books earned the Association of Parish Clergy's 2019 Book(s) of the Year Award. She is also the coauthor with Y. Joy Harris-Smith of The ABCs of Diversity: Helping Kids (and Ourselves!) Embrace Our Differences and with Song-Mi Suzie Park of The Flawed Family of God: Stories about the Imperfect Families in Genesis.


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2
Sacred Storytellin...
Practices for Shar...
by Westminster John Knox Press
Carolyn B. Helsel
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Sale Price $13.00
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List Price: $20.00
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