LE3 .A278 2018

2018

Janzen, Carol Anne

Acadia University

Doctor of Ministry

D.Min.

Ministry

Acadia Divinity College

This dissertation explores the connection between autobiographical writing and Christian witness. More specifically, it argues that the Moravian Lebenslauf tradition, which involves the practice of writing a personal account of one’s life to be read at one’s funeral service, can be utilized to improve the ability of church members to speak about and share their faith confidently in our present post-Christian culture. The thesis describes and evaluates the outcome of a practical workshop that offered church members information and support for writing their personal life story and encouraged sharing in the context of a group setting. Central to the argument is the insight of Narrative Theology that story telling is a legitimate way to communicate the Gospel. The Bible presents the message of the overarching story of God to which the corporate story of God’s people and the individual story of each believer are connected. Based on this understanding, the purpose of the workshop project was to enable the participants to recognize and to share with others how their own story connects to God’s story. An evaluation of the participants’ workshop experience, based on a qualitative methodology, revealed that all participants benefited from the opportunity for personal reflection, as well as from the group process, leading them to a better ability to see and to speak about God in their lives.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2715