One thing I have been working on for my DMIN from Portland Seminary are a couple of prototypes for projects. One project I am thinking about creating is a Storytelling Directory. Below is the entry essay and a couple of simple audio storytellings. By no means is this a complete project. Thank you for checking it out, and thank you to the storytellers who shared their stories on this blog page.

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Church directories once were a staple of congregational life. These bound booklets filled with headshots and contact information were once a valuable tool for helping church members recognize one another, stay in touch, and feel connected. But in today’s digital age, paper directories are increasingly ineffective. They often go unused, become outdated quickly, and fail to reflect the dynamic and relational nature of church people. Maybe then we need to move more towards an online storytelling directory? This could offer a more powerful, engaging, and meaningful way to foster connection and belonging.

Storytelling #1

Paper directories are static. As soon as someone moves, changes their phone number, or joins the church, the printed book becomes inaccurate. People move in and out of churches each year, making printed directories out of date almost as soon as they’re distributed. In a world where people expect real-time updates, a paper directory simply cannot keep up, yet an online platform can be updated instantly. But the real limitation of paper directories is their lack of depth. A small photo and a list of names and numbers don’t tell you much about who someone is. In contrast, a storytelling directory—a digital platform where members can share a short story, testimony, or personal introduction—goes beyond surface-level connection. It allows people to be known in a deeper way. Stories humanize names, build empathy, and reveal the diverse journeys that bring people together in faith.

Storytelling #2

A storytelling directory encourages community through shared experiences. Instead of merely listing “Scott and Heather Johnson, 555-4321,” it might include: “Here is Heather’s favorite Bible story, and why it matters to her.” or “Here is a story about how Heather found Bethlehem.” That kind of insight invites others to relate, reach out, build real relationships, and not just recognize faces on Sunday morning. An online format also allows for multimedia content. People can include photos, videos, and links to ministries they’re involved in, making the directory interactive and engaging. It can also be searchable and filterable with hashtags like if someone wants to find other young families? Retired teachers? People in your zip code? A digital directory makes those connections easy, intuitive, and purposeful. Of course, safety would have to be explored and things would need to be password protected.

Storytelling #3

But most importantly, storytelling fosters belonging. People don’t just want to be listed—they want to be known. In an age where loneliness is on the rise, giving people a chance to share their faith journeys, life stories, or simple introductions builds a stronger, more connected church family. A storytelling directory online is not just a tool; it would be a ministry in itself. It turns a list into a community, a name into a narrative, and a church directory into a living, growing expression of the Body of Christ.