Story Feasting

In his book "To Be Told", Dan Allender uses the term "story feasting". He is basically talking about the community and the sharing of stories. When a member of the community holds his/her story back, the community starves and goes lacking. But when someone boldly shares their woundedness, healing, and process of recovery...the community is fed and allowed to feast.

I like to compare this to being the body of Christ. In communion or eucharist, we eat and drink of the body and blood of Christ. We celebrate his redemption and soon return. We feast on the body of our Lord. In the New Testament, the church is referred to as the body of Christ. Each member/believer is a part of the larger body. So, in sharing our stories, we are having a "communion" experience. We are feasting and celebrating a brother/sister's journey of redemption and return.

Tonight, our tuesday night guys (the brotherhood) are gathering to begin a new chapter. This wild band of brothers has been doing life together for the last few years. We have realized, though, over recent months that we still don't know everyone's story. So, we are taking the next several weeks for "story feasting". Each week, we will gather and give one man the space to share. He will be given uninterrupted time to share without us trying to "fix" or "frustrate" him.

As a man shares, others will be encouraged to share where that connects and crosses their own story. This keeps us from fixing each other and focuses our attention on our own journey of brokenness and healing...this is truly the feasting part. To only hear and not apply is to NOT feast. It is to pull up a chair, look at the exquisite meal and walk away. In hearing and looking at my own journey, my soul is fed and challenged. I need that. I cannot do life alone. I need community and I need to hear other's journeys.

After this time, we will then share a meal together. It will be a celebration of the "prodigal come home". Kill the fatted calf, bring out a robe, and put a ring on his finger...our brother has come home. This will be a time of celebration and fun. And it will call forth the prodigal in each man. Because every man's story is unique...but every man's story is my story. Choosing, out of my woundedness and sin, to find worth and value in another land...a distant land. Working and slaving in order to "find myself". Then, coming to my senses, I see my Father's face and know his heart. I choose to go home. And I am welcomed with open arms of grace and love.

This, my friends, is the beauty of community and the body of Christ!