Q&A with Steve Morris about Our Precious Lives

We chat with Steve Morris about his brand new book on learning to tell our stories of faith, Our Previous Lives

The key theme of your book is rediscovering the value of storytelling within the church; why did you choose to focus on this?

I realised that I thrived on stories and wondered why we didn’t spend more time listening to people’s stories. I think that the church will really thrive when people feel safe to share their stories with us. Plus, I love hearing about people’s lives – every life is a kind of miracle of hope and fear and opportunity and failure. But God is in these stories.

Who have you written the book for?

People who wonder why the faith seems a bit one-dimensional. They feel we are missing something. People who wonder whether we have got so hooked on teaching and not enough on learning and listening. It is for seekers, new Christians and established ones. It is thought-provoking! It will work well in homegroups and book groups.

What did you find most enjoyable about writing Our Precious Lives?

There was almost nothing written about this out there – so I had fun creating it and imagining what might be in the book. The more I wrote the more I felt that I was onto something and that was exciting. I have always loved stories – I studied English and have been a writer since my teenage years – so it was like a holiday writing this!

What was the most important lesson you learnt from writing this book?

If you want to be a pastor and not just a preacher, then you need to stop and start listening to people’s stories. It turns ministry on its head. I also learned that regular people have all lived extraordinary lives but don’t have anyone who wants to hear about it.

Do you view your writing as a spiritual practice?

Yes completely. The 3 books I am writing come together in a kind of spiritual practice trinity – storytelling, wonderment and mirth. Three things that we need urgently to rediscover.

In Our Precious Lives, you use anecdotes from your own life to illustrate your points; what has been the most memorable part of your faith journey?

My conversion was amazing – but that’s the one thing not in here. I think one of the turning points was when I went to study apologetics at Oxford University. I found myself part of this amazing faith community. My group were mainly from America and Canada and I just loved being with them. I found them so encouraging and open-hearted. It drew me out of myself and helped me to be joyous again. I began to really feel the closeness of God.

How do you ensure that storytelling remains important within your own ministry? Do you ever feel challenged in this endeavour?

I love listening and that helps. I have been a journalist all my adult life so asking questions comes quite naturally. I actively try to hear at least one story a week. I also read a novel a week – because that helps me to keep in contact with the creative arts. Some of my best friends I have met are in the pages of novels. Sometimes as a priest you get so tired and then it can be hard to hear more stories of suffering.

In your book you talk about the benefits of storytelling for those with dementia and in combating loneliness. What role do you think the church can play in dealing with the growing epidemic of loneliness?

We are at the very centre of the fight against isolation and loneliness. We are perfectly placed, and our faith compels us to welcome people and care for them. The memory café movement spearheaded by the church is a life saver: www.memcafe.org is the site we set up. I urge people to do the ‘ten doors’ test. Knock on the ten doors either side of your church – you will find probably 40% of the people you speak to don’t see a living soul. Then befriend and invite and cherish them.

What do you hope the reader will take away from Our Precious Lives?

I hope they will be enchanted by it. I hope it brings them hope. I hope that it helps them to tell their story am listen to others.

Can you summarise your book into one sentence?

We all have a story to tell and if we listen carefully we will hear God in it.

Our Precious Lives by Steve Morris is available to Order Today.