Once upon a time, there was a small community of people, drawn together for a common purpose. They cared for one another, and wanted the best for each other. They helped not only themselves, but those around them. And they were knitted by a common bond of faith in something greater than themselves.

As time went on, the community grew and grew, becoming quite large. Soon it was impossible to know everyone in the community. Because of this, some people "slipped through the cracks," and fell away never to be heard from again. The community continued to grow anyway, although more and more the people realized they didn't really know others as they used to. Worse still, they didn't care for one another like they had in the early days. They began to wonder why they ever came together in the first place.

One day a new person came into the community. "I am a storyteller" the person said, moving boxes into a house and setting up a typewriter. "What do you do, exactly?" the people asked. "You'll see," was the response.

Soon the storyteller settled in and began to ask questions. The storyteller met the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker. They storyteller knew their names, and their children, and their children's children. All the time the storyteller was asking questions. "What happened to you today? How did you get that knot on your head? Where did the lady in the yellow hat disappear to?" So many questions, all the time, you'd think the community would have nothing to do with the storyteller. But, in fact, evereyone loved to talk, and the storyteller was a good listener, and so became quite popular.

Not long after, the storyteller posted a neatly-typed page in the town square. It read, "The Story of the Grocer's Son." It was a simple but true tale of a man and his son who had drifted apart, but who found each other again because of a faith they held in common. It made people laugh and cry and talk some more. The grocer and his son, who lived in the town, became well known, and endeared themselves to the people even more, because so many identified with their experience.

"Share more stories," the townspeople asked of the storyteller. Already they felt closer and more like the community they used to be. The people realized that stories were all around them, but they just needed someone to gather and tell them. So every so often in the town square a new page would be posted with a new story. Each one was true, and each one had the effect of making the community feel closer and more alive as they shared in the stories of each other's lives.

Soon the townspeople realized that no matter how big their community might be, it was the stories that kept it small enough for everyone to feel a part of it. Every time someone saw the storyteller, they would walk up and ask, "Please, will you tell us another story today?"

Ever patient and kind, a very good listener, and desiring to be a part of a town that really cared, the storyteller would always answer in the same way. "Certainly, why not have a seat?" And then the storyteller would begin the true tale: "Once upon a time, there was a small community of people, drawn together for a common purpose..."

  See "Celebrating" section for more on "inspiration".

  The Six "I's": Putting It Together...

  Dream a Little Dream
Take a trip through your imagination. Frolic in the mind and pick up an idea or two. Go ahead and daydream. It's okay. Nobody is looking. Close your eyes.

  Posterpalooza!
The poster is a great idea and theme tool for use in promoting ministries and events. Here are just a few samples.