Sharing Stories

I love to tell the story,

’Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

About this time of year, Columbia Theological Seminary launches the "phonathon" here on campus.  For those of you unfamiliar with this term, here’s  what it is: students are encouraged by the Development Office to sign up and get compensated to make phone calls to Alumni, Friends, and more to ask for gifts for the Annual Fund.

So, basically, we are calling and asking for money.  Just as many of our churches are entering a time of Stewardship, we here at Columbia are doing the same kind of thing.

Except we have to call total strangers.

And talk to them.

And then ask them for money.

And let's be honest for a second...most of you all who receive a phone call around 7-9 in the evening on your HOME phone have an idea of why we're calling...

I've never been able to participate in this fun event, so this year I thought I would give it a whirl.

I love to tell the story, ’tis pleasant to repeat,
What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet;
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.

I'm going to be honest here - the first night I felt like I was having heart palpitations before making these phone calls.  I might be the absolute worst cold caller known to mankind... I really am not a fan of asking people for money.  Even when I worked at Panera and would have to tell people the amount they owed for their Frontega Chicken Panini and Loaded Potato soup combo, I would quietly whisper (with a tad bit of guilt in my voice) the amount they owed as if I was airing their dirty little secrets into the earnest ears of the waiting customers behind them.

So on my first evening of working the phonathon, I was anxious, and not so secretly praying no one would pick up the phone.

But people did pick up the phone.

And an amazing thing happened...

The palpitations stopped, and I got to share a piece of my story of how I am here at Columbia Theological Seminary with these alumni, friends, and even the random people who weren't even sure how they ended up on our calling list.

I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams;
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me,
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

And then, an even better thing happened.

I was privileged to hear a part of their stories.

Stories of what Columbia was like in 1952, 1988, or even 2010.  Stories of what it was like to be the spouse of a seminarian or child of a seminarian.  Stories of what ministry looked like and how their call developed, adapted, and surprised them.  Stories of how they heard about this school in Decatur, GA, even if they never were a part of the actual community.

In those first two hours, I was doing ministry in a way I never imagined.  Yes, I was asking for money for this school I hold so dearly in my heart, but I was listening to what people had to say.  It was a bit like a roller coaster ride – I congratulated people on new calls, mourned with those who had lost a spouse, laughed at stories involving professors, and was even made a little jealous by some of the work that these people have done (if only I could be more of an artist!!).

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

We live in a culture that has encouraged us to tune out – or if we want to be heard, we should make it in under 140 characters or with an entertaining picture and caption.  The act of listening is just that – an ACT.  Talk to anyone who has spent time in a classroom and they can tell you about the different styles of listening – active – false – deep – casual – informative – partial – total – there’s lots of ways to listen!  And sometimes I am in AWE of what I hear, especially in hearing personal stories.

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.

I’m pretty sure Jesus was a good listener.  I like to think listening was a BIG part of his ministry – the woman at the well, Zacchaeus, even to his (sometimes whiney) disciples. Jesus was also good at sharing stories. 

I’ve included in this post the lyrics to one of my favorite hymns that I associate with one of my favorite story tellers – my Peepa.  I Love to Tell the Story is a hymn about sharing that story of Jesus and Jesus’ love.  I don’t think it is a coincidence that through sharing our stories or sharing the stories for those who cannot speak that we often find ourselves immersed in the love of Jesus.  

So as I anxiously continue to participate in our phonathon, I will remember the kind and encouraging words from one of the callers, “This is a hard thing to do, but good job for doing it”.  I will remember the laughs I encounter, the memories I’m privileged to hear, the well wishes wished, and too, the hurts and pains of those I encounter.  And while seeking gifts for the CTS community, I will remember the gifts I'm being blessed with.

 I love to tell the story,

’Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.