Reaching “Resistant” People through Intentional Narrative

Cross-cultural workers have ministered diligently for years to reach those living in the so-called “resistant blocs,” yet with little evidence of successful expansion of the kingdom of God. This paper will explore an often-overlooked factor that may contribute to this dismal track record—the lack of the intentional use of narrative in ministry. It will consider the need to expand training to incorporate narrative, ask why the various disciplines place such high emphasis on narrative, identify what is lost when the narrative genre takes a backseat, and suggest practical ways to incorporate narrative in reaching “resistant” peoples