Learning To Make Music Again: Developing a Narrative Ecclesiology in a New Media World

The North American Church is currently experiencing a pervasive spiritual amnesia where at large, we have forgotten how to tell stories about our origin, identity, and mission. As a result, we have co-opted other stories, namely the story of consumerism, causing our communal identities to dilute and deteriorate. By synthesizing narrative theology and narrative identity theory, a narrative ecclesiology emerges that will reverse spiritual amnesia and set free the Church to be the Body and Bride of Christ. As reflected by its structure, this essay will (a) explore how narrative theology shapes a faith communities’ narrative identity and (b) develop a metaphor for narrative ecclesiology for the North American Church.