Insights from in and around the association
UBA Voices
What is Orality? And Why Does it Matter?
What are oral Bible study methods? And who are they for?
Can There be Unity in the Body of Christ?
When conflict and barriers threaten to divide us, how can Christians find unity in the Body of Christ?
One Effective (and Fun) Way to Start House Churches in Prison
When Sally Hinzie was asked to teach largely illiterate inmates about house churches, she used storying training to gather a group and equip them.
Digital Orality: New Signs of Spiritual Opportunities
Almost everyone uses forms or principles of orality—whether or not they recognize it. Experiential education, action learning, guided discovery models, narrative methods, storytelling, and many other oral art forms are a part of the orality domain. With the current global pandemic, it’s necessary to rely more on modern, digital technology for communicating and training for advancing the gospel.
Putting Our Faith Online
During this pandemic, I’m finding new opportunities to reconnect with those I haven’t talked with in a long time. It is encouraging to get updates on what the Lord has been doing in the lives of friends and relatives over the past 15 to 20 or more years. It’s also important for us to make known the righteous acts of God, as we’re told in Psalms 105 and other places.
The Role of Orality for Disciple Making and Church Multiplication
Small, simple, reproducible, and economical congregations are where the greatest growth of the Kingdom is taking place, much like the Early Church. When we recognize that a true church can be a small, simple cell group or assembly of believers, it opens up many new possibilities for church growth and multiplication. When addressing the idea of establishing congregations or communities of followers of Jesus everywhere and among all people groups, the methods and strategies of orality become vital.
Orality in the Marketplace
Storytelling methods are increasing in popularity as effective marketplace tools for improving working relationships and community, addressing organizational change, leadership, and maintaining corporate culture. Not every follower of Jesus is part of the business community. However, almost everyone is engaged in the marketplace in some way. Most people buy things and deal with sales and marketing people. Each of those occasions can be witness and ministry opportunities.
The Kingdom Impact of Kindness
I was recently interviewed on a news program and was asked the question, “What is the best way to engage people in conversations that can lead to sharing the gospel?” Of course, there are hundreds of ways, because the Holy Spirit is unlimited and creative in how He can lead us when we are available and responsive. I've found that showing kindness is always a good place to start.
The Art of Bible Storying
Everyone loves a story. Stories are memorable. Stories stick. Stories open doors to deeper conversations. Jesus was a master storyteller and used them frequently. You can learn the art of telling a story that sticks. Sally Hinzie shares how she uses the stories she knows to tell people about the truths of Scripture wherever she is.