You know what people rarely remember? The church announcements.
No offense to the person reading them (probably with great enthusiasm), but bullet points about next Saturday’s pancake breakfast don’t exactly stir the soul. What does stick? A story. A moment. A real-life testimony that makes you pause, reflect, and feel something.
That’s the power of storytelling. And most churches are barely scratching the surface.
Information Isn’t the Problem—Connection Is
Most churches are great at communicating information. We’ve got announcement slides, email newsletters, social media posts, and the classic Sunday bulletin. But somewhere along the line, we forgot that people aren’t just brains with calendars—they’re hearts with stories.
Information tells.
Story sells.
And more importantly, story stirs. It stirs emotion, empathy, and ultimately, action.
When you tell a good story—one that’s authentic, specific, and human—people lean in. They see themselves in it. And they’re far more likely to engage, volunteer, give, or simply show up the next week.
You Don’t Need a Film Crew—You Need Intention
Let’s just get this out of the way: You don’t need a RED camera or a full-time filmmaker on staff to tell great stories.
What you do need is intentionality.
At our church, we decided to try something simple during our offering time. Instead of saying the usual “Thanks for giving, you make ministry happen,” we started showing a short video each week. Just a one-minute clip of someone sharing how their small group walked with them through grief. Or how serving in the parking lot helped them reconnect with their faith. Or how God used a mission trip to change their perspective on generosity.
We didn’t overproduce them. Sometimes it was just a shot of someone in a chair, talking honestly. And yet? Something amazing happened.
Engagement went up. Giving went up. People cried. People clapped.
And people started asking, “Hey… could I share my story sometime?”
Why Storytelling Works (Even if You’re Not a Storyteller)
Here’s the deal: You don’t have to be a natural storyteller to start using story in your church. You just need to start seeing the stories already happening all around you.
Every volunteer, every baptism, every prayer request—there’s a story there.
You just have to ask, listen, and share.
And when you share those stories:
- People feel less alone.
- Faith feels more real.
- Ministry feels more personal.
That’s how you build connection. That’s how you build trust.
And that’s how you move people from spectators to participants.
Where to Start (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
If this feels a little intimidating, that’s normal. But don’t overthink it. Start small:
-
Use Offering Time Intentionally
Like we did—add a short story instead of a generic thank you. -
Leverage Social Media
Highlight one real story a week. A quote. A photo. A voice memo turned into a Reel. -
Train Your Team to Be Story-Spotters
Ask your staff and volunteers: “What’s one moment this week that encouraged you?” Then write it down. -
Think Story, Not Script
You’re not making a commercial. You’re showcasing God at work in real lives. Don’t script it. Let it be raw and real.
The Myth of the “Big Budget”
Let’s be real: Budget is often the first excuse. “We’d love to do storytelling, but we don’t have the money or gear.” I hear you—but that’s a myth.
Authenticity always wins over polish.
In fact, in the age of TikTok and Instagram Stories, people are used to raw content. It feels trustworthy. So if all you have is a smartphone and a quiet room? You’re good to go.
Your Church Is Already Full of Stories
If you forget everything else, remember this: Your church is already full of incredible stories.
- The new believer finding hope.
- The long-time member rediscovering purpose.
- The couple holding on through loss.
- The teenager inviting their friend.
These aren’t “content opportunities.” They’re glimpses of grace. They’re evidence that God is moving. And when you share them, you’re not just increasing engagement…
You’re building a culture of testimony.
You’re reminding people—week after week—that faith isn’t theoretical. It’s personal.
One Final Thought
Storytelling doesn’t require perfection, performance, or production value.
It just requires you to care.
Care enough to ask, “What’s your story?”
Care enough to listen.
Care enough to share it.
If you do that, I promise:
Your people will lean in.
Your ministry will feel more alive.
And your church won’t just communicate better—it’ll connect better.
Ready to start telling stories? Plan your story campaign now using our church communications calendar platform.
