I am a big believer in the power of stories to form and transform lives.

As leaders, if we are unaware of the power and detail of our own story we may be shocked when a mine hidden in our past explodes when stepped upon by someone else. Although the parallels are not exact for the stories of groups, many parallels exist for congregations. (See James F. Hopewell, Congregation: Stories and Structures).

I have now been at Oak Bay United Church about 3 months. Much of that time has been spent trying to figure out the details of what is going on and how they fit into the larger story of the congregation.

This sermon is my first attempt to respond publically to the question I often receive – “So how do you think we’re doing anyway?”

sermon 11.20.11 (State of the cong)