Lausanne Global Analysis 7, 3 (May 2018)

The latest issue of Lausanne Global Analysis, from The Lausanne Movement, is available online from here, including pdf downloads.

In the issue overview, editor David Taylor writes:

‘In this issue we feature two articles examining how we should respond to the global refugee crisis, focusing on living out Christian hospitality to migrants and welcoming the Global Stranger. We also consider how the church should respond to the rise of religious nationalism in South Asia, and how the growth of orality-training resources can advance the Great Commission.’

Mission Frontiers 36, 3 (May-June 2014)

The May-June 2014 issue of Mission Frontiers, published by the U.S. Center for World Mission, contains a number of articles under the heading ‘From Gutenberg to Zuckerberg’.

‘In the middle of the last decade, we witnessed the embryonic releases of social media and networks, and we are now participating in the maturing digital social networks. The Zuckerberg generation and its apps have cajoled, encouraged, and tethered us into a narcissistic, instantaneous, conversational environment. From Gutenberg to Zuckerberg, the global resurgence of orality has arrived with vigor, and has tectonic implications for our stewardship of the gospel for this century.’

Individual articles can be accessed from here, and the whole issue (12.6 MB) can be downloaded as a pdf here.

Bible Storying Course

Further to my previous post on the power of story, and prompted by Eddie Arthur, readers of this blog may be interested to know of a six-day intensive course on Bible Storying taking place in November this year at Redcliffe College. The course is part of Redcliffe’s Centre for Linguistics, Translation and Literacy and is taught in partnership with Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL.

Meanwhile, check out this list of resources on the Bible and orality.

Orality Journal 2, 1 (2013)

The latest edition of Orality Journal, published online by the International Orality Network, is available as a pdf here; it includes a number of interesting-looking articles on different aspects of Bible storying.

Gilles Gravelle

Literacy, Orality, and the Web

What oral communication can accomplish in Bible translation projects that print communication alone cannot.

Pam Arlund

Church Planting Movements among Oral Learners

Case studies of using orality strategies in church planting movements.

W. Jay Moon

Using Rituals to Disciple Oral Learners: Part 1

What can we learn from the powerful effects of rituals from cultures and how can rituals be used for meaningful discipleship.

Clyde Taber

Contextualizing the Gospel in a Visual World
In a media saturated world, how do we contextualize Kingdom stories for the new generation?

Marlene LeFever

Inside-out Stories

When a ministry retools, what are the outcomes?

A. Steve Evans

Mind the Gap: If This Is Your Land, then Where Are Your Stories?

What and where are our stories that help us claim the land?

J.O. Terry

Ten Mistakes of a New Bible Storyteller

Wisdom from a storytelling practitioner.

Tara Rye

Story Proof: The Science behind the Startling Power of Story

Book review.

Orality Journal

The first edition of Orality Journal, published online by the International Orality Network, is available as a 7.8 MB pdf document here, and includes a number of articles on Bible storying and telling Bible stories in specific contexts.

Here’s the official blurb:

‘Orality Journal is the journal of the International Orality Network. It is published online semi-annually and aims to provide a platform for scholarly discourse on the issues of orality, discoveries of innovations in orality, and praxis of effictiveness across multiple domains in society. This online journal is international and interdisciplinary, serving the interests of the orality movement through research articles, documentation, book reviews, and academic news. Occasionally, print editions will be created. Submission of items that could contribute to the furtherance of the orality movement are welcomed.’

Mark Snowden on Bible Storying

The January-February issue of Lausanne World Pulse contains a three-part article by Mark Snowden on Bible Storying:

Bible Storying in America, Part 1: An Overview

In part one, the author asks, Are those who genuinely seek to make disciples of all peoples in America actually making disciples? If not, why?

Bible Storying in America, Part 2: The Details

At least half of all Americans prefer what is called an ‘oral’ approach to communicating and learning. The author explains that several characteristics serve as indicators for disciple-makers: (1) reading abilities for continuous prose, like that found in the Bible; (2) when people use printed text when not required by work, study, or leisure activities; and (3) discipling at the heart language addressed by both Bible availability and worldview issues.

Bible Storying in America, Part 3: How to Do It

Bible storying is a narrative presentation to convey a series of Bible stories that are discussed after they are told orally. There are many different ways to present the gospel or lead a small group. The author gives a simplified guide.

The Executive Summary of the whole issue is available here and the full text is available here.