How we understand our own story impacts how we journey with others in their story. So what small and big story are we living out? Join us as we talk with Heather Khym from Abiding Together Podcast and Life Restoration about the power of understanding our own story, living in freedom, and the tension of living in truth in our world. We talk about the importance as ministry leaders, to lead with belonging first, story first, and felt needs first. *The Important Things: ** (4:30) We are called to a full life but most of us end up living in a kind of mediocrity because the ways we want to live are upended by reactions within our heart, walls we put up. We need to grow in self awareness of ourselves and our bigger story. * (6:30) Self understanding is one of the most powerful things we can do in our growth in our relationship with God. Coming to an awareness of this with the goal of deep union with Jesus.* (11:00) We need the right interpretation of our story or we hardwire the wrong narrative and lose freedom. We have to cling to God’s narrative—love Himself. * (18: 27) In ministry, we get invited into other people's stories. It's sacred ground. And we get to invite Jesus into redeem. This is the adventure of the Christian life.* (21:00) Jesus, scripture, community and prayer is an anchor we can use to live our stories well and be in relationship with Jesus.* (22:15) We can get caught up in the day to day when we’re in ministry. We have to fight to think about the story people are experiencing at the moment. * (23:00) We are not meant to be alone and there are three key ways we can be in communion: We need peers to share with so they can come alongside us. We need someone ahead of us like a spiritual director or mentor to teach us things. And we need to bring each other into communion with Jesus* (31: 15)Confidence in our big story is a game changer in ministry. When we experience redemption, we don’t get scared of entering others. * (33:30) Our emotions can lead the narrative when truth needs to lead the narrative. This is how we can anchor ourselves in how to approach society and approach culture.* (43: 50) Most people have so many felt needs that we have to start there in order to reach them. We don’t stay there but we have to start there.* (44:30) Jesus was the master of meeting felt needs. Meeting people in their experience and pain. He sees people in their hurt, not the crowds all around Him. It’s less about the right theological system and more about people encountering love. Then the theology will make sense and we can understand the weight and importance of it. And historically, when the people of God meet the needs of the people in history, that’s when the Gospel moves. * (48:30) We have to start with felt needs so people experience belong, believe, and then behave. When we focus on those things first, it can radically change the ministry landscape.List & Resources“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10“Emotions make excellent servants, but tyrannical masters.” - John Seymour Abiding Together Podcast - https://www.abidingtogetherpodcast.com/ Life Restoration - https://www.liferestoration.ca/ SHOW NOTESIn this episode, we discuss navigating our own stories and how that empowers us to minister well to others through our own freedom and deeper empathy.* Understanding our own story and healing from that helps us step in and walk alongside others in their story* Being grounded in truth and then surrounded by scripture, community, and prayer is how we live out our story well. * True interpretation of our story leads to freedom* We have to begin with felt needs, creating belonging, and stories in order to help people understand the depth of their faith.QUOTES“Self understanding is one of the most powerful things we can do in our growth of our relationship with God.” - Jason“We are called to a full life but most of us end up living in a kind of mediocrity because the ways we want to live are upended by reactions within our heart and walls we put up.” - Heather“The ultimate thing that happens in bad interpretations (of our story) is a lack of freedom.” - Jason“Everybody has a story that is unfolding and when we’re sensitive to that fact and to the places within our own story that are broken; it changes the way we minister to people.” - Heather“Wouldn’t it be just great trust building for me not to have the pressure of whatever the ministry hat is and the pressure that I’m feeling? Rather, just saying, I’m a story interpreter with others. Then I can just sit there and listen to your story without an agenda and just understand what’s happening in your heart.” - Jason“The difference between small stories and big stories is the degree to which you feel comfortable risking because you feel secure in your guide.” - Jason“Even if we feel a certain way, even if it’s compassion and brokenness for someone… that doesn’t mean that I then have to change what I believe in order to meet that person where they are.” - Heather“There is a time and place for everything. Most people have so many felt needs that it’s overwhelming.. You can’t go there with other (faith) stuff until you get into their story and you start journeying with them.” - Jason“Sitting in the pews are people whose marriages are falling apart, they are more depressed and anxious than ever, they don’t know if they believe in God, their hearts are completely broken, they are in financial crisis, whatever it might be… there are stories sitting here who desperately need the Gospel. They need to know Jesus is there for them.” - Heather“As ministers, we want to help people encounter the Jesus we’ve encountered. I pray we can live by those dynamics where it’s story first, belonging first, felt needs first. I think those are the things that give me so much hope.” - Jason