Congregations of all sizes, budgets, and denominations or no denomination are eligible. They should be able to show that they have:

• experience with storytelling of some kind

• previous experience with successfully adopting new practices

• enthusiastic supporters

• connection with people or communities outside of their own membership

_________

Practitioners include denominational leaders, spiritual directors, consultants in the church sphere, social workers, therapists, and non-profit leaders. Criteria for selection include:

• Christians or Christ-curious

• Experience with storytelling of some kind

• Demonstrated and current relationship with a group or community with whom to launch a story circle

• Preference is given to pairs or trios of people in a shared practice.

_________

Young Adults include people between the ages of 25 and 35 … ish. Criteria for selection include:

• Christians or Christ-curious.

• Experience with storytelling of some kind

• Demonstrated leadership or facilitation experience

• Demonstrated capacity for vulnerability among people other than close friends

• Strong desire for belonging and connection

• Attend the trainings in full.  First session is January 5-9, 2026.

• Two people from a congregation must attend.

• Each congregation or practitioner must lead at least three story circles between the first and second training.

• Participate in monthly coaching calls with other storytellers.

• Complete evaluation materials.

The training is led by Mark Yaconelli, founder of The Hearth.

The first session is January 18-22, 2026. It includes didactic sessions, self-reflection, telling personal stories in a group, learning to listen, and practicing facilitation. Participants will learn to lead Austin Story Circles using In Real Life, a specific process and story prompts to tell stories of our lives that connect to stories of Jesus' life experiences.

The second session is October 18-22, 2026. During this session, participants will learn how to teach others to lead Austin Story Circles and grow the practice in their own communities.

Both training sessions will be in Danville, California at San Damiano Retreat.

Confirmation fee of $100 per congregation or group of practitioners; $50 for individual practitioners or young adults. Selected participants will be provided transportation, meals, lodging and materials for two training events and coaching.

If the application fee is a barrier, you may apply for a waiver.

Email: story@austinseminary.edu

During 2025-2027, as many as 40 congregations and organizations, 25 practitioners, and 40 young adults will be selected to participate in this project.

Congregations: Christian congregations who want to learn to tell their stories of life with God to each other in Small Groups, Sunday School classes, and worship. They must also want to go beyond their own membership to lead circles of belonging through shared stories among people served through their ministries or from across the community, neighbors, friends and acquaintances of people in the church.

Church Organizations: Organizations grounded in Christian principles and practices or working in a church-related space, such as justice-seeking organizations and coalitions, denominational bodies, campus ministries, and church-wide ministries.

Independent Practitioners: People whose vocations are healing, reconciling, and connecting, such as therapists, social workers, community organization leaders, activists, consultants, and facilitators. They need to be open to the process which includes stories from Jesus' life.