Narrative pedagogies and digital media

some examples, drawing on Frank Rogers’ book Finding God in the Graffiti

two main elements

• definitions

• Rogers’ description of the six kinds of narrative religious pedagogies

what is religious education? what is spirituality? what is faith formation?

Mary Boys: “religious education is the making accessible of the traditions of the religious community and the making manifest of the intrinsic connection between traditions and transformation”

Educating in Faith: Maps and Visions

Sandra Schneiders: “spirituality is that attitude, that frame of mind which breaks the human person out of the isolating self. As it does that, it directs him or her to another relationship in whom one’s growth takes root and sustenance”

“Theology and spirituality: Partners or rivals?”

faith formation brings together religious education and careful attention to spirituality…

six kinds of narrative religious pedagogies

• religious literacy

• personal identity

• contemplative encounter

• critical reflection

• creative vitality

• societal empowerment

Finding God in the Graffiti, by Frank Rogers

(1) religious literacy

• “religious communities profess that some stories are intrinsically transformative” (35)

• “the content of religious faith is narratively constituted” (36)

• “religious communities are themselves narratively constituted” (37)

• what are the biblical stories? what are the doctrinal stories that need to be shared? what is the basic “data” of the tradition, cognitively speaking?

• and example: And the Word was God

(2) personal identity

• “personal identity is narratively constructed” (56)

• “religious and cultural narratives transform meaning within identity-bestowing self-stories” (59)

• “the essence of Christian faith is living one’s self-story within the interpretive landscape of the Christian narrative world” (60)

• how do we tell our stories as bound up with the God we confess in our communities? in what ways are my story and God’s story interwoven in my daily life?

• an example (follows)

(3) contemplative encounter

• “sacred stories and myths have the power to mediate an encounter with the numinous” (82)

• “narrative knowing is existential” (84)

• “imagination is the medium through which the soul is accessed and engaged” (87)

• lectio divina, guided meditation, saints’ lives — these are all examples of the ways in which religious educators have worked with story to nurture contemplative encounter

• an example: God in our midst (a student project)

(4) critical reflection

• “cultural narratives are a means of enculturation” (106)

• “cultural and religious narratives often enculturate in oppressive and destructive ways” (109)

• “critical reflection itself is a means of personal empowerment and human agency” (111)

• how have our tellings of biblical stories reinforced oppressive structures? how do new tellings of these stories shape new opportunities?

• an example: The Woman at the Well

(5) creative vitality

• “artistic activity connects us with the sacred spirit of life” (130)

• “artistic activity is intrinsically restorative” (133)

• “artistic activity heals the soul” (136)

• a nativity play, An Unexpected Christmas

(6) societal empowerment

• “Christian faith involves participation in the story of God’s social project” (165)

• “educational settings are narratively constructed” (167)

• “involvement in narrative activity is intrinsically transforming” (168)

• an example: Spoken Word quarter finals 2013

so what are communities trying? further examples

• parodies of current hit songs

• information about important issues

• interpretations of biblical texts

• personal introductions

parodies

information about important issues

interpretations of biblical texts

animoto biblical stories

• Heather Bogacz (https://animoto.com/play/XCaClLtNE7qLXcyAJ43AyA)

• Natalie Carlson (https://animoto.com/play/qkprNPbaBsJhr22Qha1hwQ)

personal stories

• Bethlehem Lutheran in Minneapolis (https://vimeo.com/bcieslik/videos)

• Episcopal Story Project (http://episcopalstoryproject.org/)

• Cleveland Life Stories (http://www.clevelandlifestories.com/)

• American Refugees Project (http://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/departments/communication/strategic-communications/film-project/)

• page numbers in parentheses refer to Frank Rogers’ book Finding God in the Graffiti

• more information available from meh.religioused.org

• video links:

• All about that babe (https://vimeo.com/114376012)

• Working on a sermon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScxTsuRMMS0)

• Suicide prevention (http://stjohnsjackson.diowy.org/)

• John 17 (https://vimeo.com/65535437)

• Rev. 21 (https://vimeo.com/65479871)

• John 13 (https://vimeo.com/65483072)