Last year, my good friend Sam Luce of Redeemer Church in Utica, NY, interviewed Sally Lloyd-Jones of Redeemer Presbyterian in New York, NY, about… what else? Redemption! Sally is the author of the well-known Jesus Storybook Bible. Sam and Sally also talked about Christmas, Storytelling, and Children’s Ministry. Here is one of the gems from the article:
Storytelling is performance as much as anything. And, a crucial part of my performance is obviously rehearsal. I find trying to tell your story out on real live children is crucial; it will show you want does and doesn’t work. I think it’s a bit like being a stand-up comic. It should sound natural, but it needs to be something you’ve written, learned, refined and rehearsed.
It’s important to involve the children in the story. When I read stories to children I make eye contact with them and react with them as if I am reading the story for the first time, just like they are. This keeps it playful and draws the children in as you all react together.
