Workshop Descriptions

THURSDAY MORNING

Conference Orientation
Mary Claire Anderson
A brief survey of conference workshop sessions and introductions of the workshop leaders.

GENERAL SESSION 1: Ah Ha! the Bible is a Story!
Dr. Mark Getz and Conference Speakers
Description coming…

GENERAL SESSION 2: Themes (and Story Sets) for Understanding the Whole Bible
Dr. Mark Getz and Dr. Stan Nussbaum
Description coming…

THURSDAY AFTERNOON 

GENERAL SESSION 3: How to Learn Bible Stories without Memorizing
Don Falkos
Don will guide participants through various activities designed to assist in learning and remembering a Bible story. These activities will include the fun “Draw and Tell” (no artistic talent needed) and the surprisingly effective “Multi-Translation Roundtable.” The methods you learn will allow you to tell a Bible story without having to memorize anything.

GENERAL SESSION 4: Using Bible Stories in Personal Ministry
John Walsh
Description coming…

THURSDAY EVENING

Story Concert
Tellers: Conference Workshop Leaders
Thursday evening includes a “concert of stories” open to the public. Select conference Storytellers will share a variety of stories demonstrating various methods for using stories in ministry. Mostly, it will be a lot of fun!

This is a free event; however, we will receive a voluntary offering to help cover the costs of this event.

 

FRIDAY MORNING 

WORKSHOP 5A: Telling the Whole Bible Story
Dr. Stan Nussbaum
Description coming…

WORKSHOP 5B: Why THEIR Worldview Matters
Dr. Anne Alexander
Description coming…

WORKSHOP 6A: Learning Difficult Bible Stories
John Walsh
Description coming…

WORKSHOP 6B: Storytelling in Missions
Rick Miller
Description coming…

FRIDAY AFTERNOON 

WORKSHOP 7A: Crafting a Captivating Story
Don Falkos
How do you take a fable, a folk tale, or any other type of story from the printed page and bring it to life? In this session, participants will learn a detailed process for doing exactly that. We will work together to develop a story from start to finish. Along the way, we will explore the use of facial expressions, gestures, pausing, and other storytelling tools to improve the presentation of our ever-developing story.

WORKSHOP 7B: Using Bible Stories to Start Discussions 
Dr. Anne Alexander
Description coming…

WORKSHOP 8A: Connect with People through Storytelling
Mary Claire Anderson

All presentations are actually persuasive – the first thing you must do is persuade others to listen to you.  
Learn to earn the privilege of being heard by your audience, whether it is in an auditorium, a classroom, or on the other side of the coffee table. We will look at practical steps and storytelling skills, as well as “people skills” that heighten your ministry by strengthening your connection to those you disciple.

WORKSHOP 8B: Storytelling in Children’s Ministry 
TBD
Description coming…

FRIDAY EVENING

Dinner with Speakers at Local Restaurants (optional)
An opportunity to share a meal with a conference speaker you would like to get to know better

 

SATURDAY MORNING 

WORKSHOP 9A: Warning: Hot Button Bible Story Topics
Dr. Mark Getz and Panel
Description coming…

WORKSHOP 9B: Storytelling with Refugees
Mark Morris, of Refugee Memphis and Union University
Description coming…

GENERAL SESSION 10: Where Do I Go from Hear?
Don Falkos and Friends
Don helps us evaluate our conference experience: what we’ve learned, how we’ve been inspired, and most importantly, what “take-aways” we’ve found. What did you HEAR at this conference? Now how will you incorporate it into your ministry?