Plymouth Magazine-Summer24-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 4
Story Care
Story care is an approach to pastoral care,
which provides a method of attending
to life stories—our own and those of
others.6 The goal of story care is not
simply to gain greater insight into life
stories, but to discern the interweaving of
God’s story and our stories.7 We attend
to the stories of others through empathic
and careful listening. Story listening is
not about gathering information, but
entering a holy space in which another
allows a glimpse of their heart and soul.
Life story exegesis is a close reading of a
life story and the central practice of story
care.11 It provides a way of gaining deeper
insight into life stories, both our own
and those of others. The steps of life story
exergies include:
1) Attending to the backstory, exploring
what led up to this point in our story.
2) Analyzing the contexts or environments
in which our stories are shaped.
3) Identifying stories that have become
problematic and undermine our
flourishing.
When we attend reverently to the stories
of others we become “story companions
accompanying one another as life unfolds
and listening for the presence of God.” 8
By careful and reverent attention to each
other’s stories, we accompany one other
towards the flourishing, abundant life God
intends. Story companionship is an act of
love, enabled by a greater love that holds us.
Learning to exegete our own life stories
increases our capacity to accompany
others in this process.
We not only listen to stories, but we also
read them as well. Just as we can become
better reader of literature, we can become
better readers of life stories through
close reading, or exegesis.9 If you have
participated in bible study classes, you
have engaged in exegesis, which simply
means a close reading of a text. We may
assume that exegesis is something only
biblical experts or preachers do. But
the term means “to relate in detail or
expound”—it is simply a form of close
reading.10 We engage in exegesis anytime
we seek to explain or interpret any form
of communication, oral or written.
Utilizing these steps of life story exegesis
assists us in discerning which stories foster
the flourishing God intends and which
stories leave us languishing.13 We may
discover some familiar stories that were
once comforting and helpful now confine
us. Life story exegesis, as a practice of story
care, may broaden our interpretation of life
stories. Just as its possible to interpret the
prodigal son story in several ways, so too,
is it possible to find various interpretations
of a life story, all while holding to the
integrity of the “text.” It is not the story
we are changing but our understanding
of it and its impact on our lives.
4) Challenging and revising or
reinterpreting these stories.
This may include identifying overlooked
stories of competencies, strengths, and
times of flourishing.12
While paying close attention to our life
stories may foster psychological and
spiritual growth, the goal of story care to
promote growth in love of God, other,
and self.14 Increasing our awareness of
God’s presence in human stories allows
us to discern those which move us
toward flourishing and the abundant life
God promises.
Rev. Scheib will be leading a five-week
online course on Thursdays at 6 p.m.
from August 15 to September 12. We will
be exploring the practices of story care.
Stay tuned for more details coming later
this summer!
6
Karen D. Scheib, “Attend to Story: How to Flourish in
Ministry”, (Nashville: Wesley’s Foundery Books, General
Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United
Methodist Church, 2018),17.
7
Karen Scheib, “Pastoral Care: Telling the Stories of Our
Lives”, (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2016) 61.
8
Karen Scheib, “Pastoral Care: Telling the Stories of Our
Lives”, (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2016) 61.
9
Scheib, 2016,102.
10
Scheib 2016, 105.
11
Scheib, 2018, 19.
12
For a full discussion of these steps see Karen D.
Scheib, Attend to Story: How to Flourish in Ministry,
(Nashville: Wesley’s Foundery Books, General Board of
Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist
Church, 2018)
13
Karen D. Scheib, Attend to Story: How to Flourish in
Ministry, (Nashville: Wesley’s Foundery Books, General
Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United
Methodist Church, 2018),17.
14
Scheib, 2016, 18.
About Rev. Dr. Karen D. Scheib
Scheib is Emerita Professor of Pastoral Care and Pastoral Theology at Candler School of
Theology, Emory University, where she taught for twenty-two years, following five years
at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri. While at Candler, she served for
five years as Director of Women, Theology, and Ministry Program and six years and as the
Co-Chair of the Religion Public Health Collaborative. Dr. Scheib is the author of several
books, including, “Pastoral Care: Telling the Stories of Our Lives” (Abingdon Press, 2016),
and “Attend to Story: How to Flourish in Ministry” (2018), as well as book chapters and
articles in scholarly and popular publications. Much of her writing explores the role of life
stories in identity formation and fostering wellbeing in self and others. She continues to
co-lead semi-annual workshops on clergy flourishing for Brite Divinity School at Texas
Christian University. Rev. Scheib is an ordained elder in the United Methodist church.
Prior to her teaching career, she served as a pastor in San Diego, California, and Nashville,
Tennessee. She currently serves as a part-time pastor of congregational care at Messiah
Lutheran Church on Skidaway Island, near Savannah Georgia.
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