Front Porch Stories was an event idea that has been rumbling in my heart and head for a few years now. It morphed and took some twists and turns and it turned into something only God could do.
The purpose of Front Porch Stories was two fold.
- To get to know other women in our church through the platform of sharing stories.
- Encourage women to write and share their own stories as God leads.
Time Frame: Saturday from 9am-2:00pm.
Location: Our church
Women Invited: Just our church ladies for this particular event. Most all of our events are outreach based but this one was reserved for our women only with a few exceptions.
Program: There were four main story-tellers (10-15 minutes long). These were women in our church walking with God who had gone through various trials in their life at some point: divorce, suicide of a family member, infertility, running from God, etc. Using a four-step method guideline they wrote their stories and pointed to God’s faithfulness through these times.
After each main story-teller shared her story we took 10 minutes to answer 3-4 questions related to their story. “How have you seen God provide for you during your life?” “Where are you trusting God to provide right now?” “When did you feel God pursuing you in your life?” “Has there been a time you were running from God?” etc. We put those up on the power point screens with a timer and tables shared what they could in 10 minutes.
One of our story- tellers was a 90 year old woman who wrote a book called Tough Enough. She’s hilarious and is a phenomenal story teller. She helped lighten the air when we needed to breathe a little after hearing some heavier stories.
In addition to the main story-tellers we had each round table (6-7 women) leader share their “story” using the same format. They had 10 minutes to share. There were no follow up questions during this story telling session.
There was brief teaching on the 4 step method of sharing our stories and how God used story all through scripture to teach. Stories of redemption through Ruth and Boaz; deliverance through Moses and the Red Sea; and so many more. Jesus could have just told us straight didactic facts but instead he often used stories and questions to teach. After looking to Jesus as our example in story telling we used a four step method (printed in our program) to help us write our own stories in short bulletin points. More of a brain storming session than anything. We prayed and asked God to help us use our stories and give us opportunities to share of his faithfulness in our life.
Decorations: It was a fun theme. Think mason jars, vintage linens, rocking chairs and all things front porch. We purchased some Pioneer Woman pieces and it came together quite nicely. We even scored a bike and parked it front and center just for the whimsical fun of it. And yes I did threaten to ride it around the church parking lot chasing people. But I didn’t end up doing that. They’re welcome.
Cost: $15.00 included light breakfast, lunch, a glass to take home, succulent plant, tons of door prizes.
Assigned Seats: I typically don’t do this because, hello, we are adults however it was the best thing we did for this event. Women are comfortable in their own friend zones. I get it – I am one. But as long as we stay in our comfortable zones we’ll never become a true community. So we busted up friend zones on purpose and prayed God would just help women be okay with it and actually enjoy getting to know people outside their normal group. And He did just that!
My evaluation of the event: One of the best women’s event we’ve ever done. Because so many people were involved it made the day that much better. It was a lot of work because there was time put into multiple meetings with all those people to pray, discuss and plan. But that’s part of the process of women’s ministry just as much as the “event” itself so it was worth every minute.
This event allowed women to get to know each other in new ways – even women who have been attending church together for 35 years learned things about each other at this event. New women attending our church were able to put names and stories to faces they see but have never known. Older women sat with younger women. New members and long time members were at tables together. We prayed over the tables and asked God to bless this time and to let it be a sweet time together. For new friendships to start and older ones rekindled. For each woman to look inside at the stories God has written on our hearts and to prepare to share the hope that lies within us.
You can check out the full version of our Front Porch Stories Program if you’re interested here.
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