The Allender Center Podcast How to Bring Story Work to Your Faith Community with Petra Malekzadeh
Jun 27, 2025
Petra Malekzadeh, the Facilitation Development Manager at the Allender Center and expert in Narrative Focused Trauma Care, shares her insights on fostering transformation in faith communities. She discusses the vital role of storytelling in spiritual formation and the challenges of integrating personal narratives into church life. Petra emphasizes the need for leadership alignment, the power of vulnerability, and how authentic engagement can deepen discipleship. This conversation invites listeners to envision a church where storytelling is central to growth and connection.
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Transformation Is Messy and Complex
- Transformation in faith communities is often misunderstood and messy, not just a quick fix.
- Understanding real change requires recognizing its complexity and relational disruptions.
Redirecting Ministry to Deeper Questions
- Petra often redirected ministry planning back to deeper questions to address sluggish spiritual growth.
- She noticed many churchgoers were scared to engage in leadership despite regular attendance.
Integrate Story Work in Discipleship
- Locate story work at the heart of discipleship, not just in recovery or soul care.
- Promote story work as a core tool to be integrated and valued in faith communities.