Narrative and Evangelism are central to Christian Identity

The role of public, communal and personal narratives in evangelism are central to Christian identity and witness. Public narratives are profoundly based on the bible and Christian history. Christians need to be well equipped, be knowledgeable and grow in the word of God. They need to be enriched by the word of God available to everyone for faith building and Christian maturity. A strong public Christian narrative will enable a strong communal one. Some of these public narratives are reinvigorated by particular congregations gains particular identity. This particular narrative identity is the evangelism focus of the community. Some narratives are intensely personal so that they become only available for those involved. In evangelism a personal narrative can lead to a public testimony about what God has done. This is important because evangelism is about bringing the community to bear witness to living reality of Christ.“The personal makes the public and community narratives real. And the public and communal narratives validate the personal narrative”(Cormode 2005,95). Evangelism can take the advantage of the power of narratives because they function simultaneously at different levels and “when these layers of meaning all cohere to speak the same message, narrative can be the most powerful cultural resources.”(Cormode 2005, 95)for evangelism. Hence the three narratives are equally important.

Seeing Certainly is a Major Component in Visual Communication, but it isn't the only way to Know

From typical Melanesian rural island congregatiion, seeing through visual communication is certainly not a way to know. However seeing has limitations because visual communication processes depends on the mental state of the viewer at any specific time. This means, there is inconsistency and to a larger extend great variability. In congregational context, a two way communication process between the producer and the receiver of the message is important.

While the status of the images can great improve our congregational outlook, the need to take precaution against images that give rise to criminality and breakdown of communities and institutions is of paramount concern. A bias visual communication can also result in congregational and generational poor writing skills therefore; in congregational setting the need for a balance between word and pictures is important. According to Martin Paul Lester, "words and pictures become one powerful and memorable communication. (Lester Paul Martin, Visual Communications: Images with messages, 2003). The use of this combination will enhance the way to know better the eucharist, the liturgy and preaching.