Which do you prefer: a story or a fairy tale? What’s the difference? Let’s look at both, and then apply them to our church facilities.
The word “story” may be used as a synonym of “narrative.” It can also be used to refer to the sequence of events described in a narrative. More narrowly defined, it’s the means whereby the narrator (or storyteller) communicates directly to the reader.
Stories are an important aspect of culture. Many works of art, and most works of literature, tell stories. In fact, most of humanities involve stories.
“Evidence strongly suggests that humans in all cultures come to cast their own identity in some sort of narrative form,” writes Owen Flanagan of Duke University, a leading consciousness researcher. “We’re inveterate storytellers.”
We use stories to pass on the past to the next generation, or to give instruction. It’s also used to convey an idea, concept, precaution and the like. A story can be fictional or non-fiction and can have become embellished over time — but, most stories that convey a non-fiction narrative are generally filled with truth.
A fairy tale, on the other hand, is a type of short story that typically features folklore and fantasy. Most of the time, we refer to them as a type of children’s literature. The term is also used to describe something blessed with unusual happiness, as in a “fairy tale ending” or “fairy tale romance” (though not all fairy tales end happily). In the vernacular, a “fairy tale” or “fairy story” can also mean any far-fetched story or tall tale; it’s used especially of any story that not only isn’t true, but couldn’t possibly be true.
I like stories, and I like fairy tales. I like to understand perspective — the past, the present paradigms, and all the things you can learn from a story. I also like getting lost in a good fairy tale. I love fairy tales such as The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe. It’s great to become transformed into these make-believe worlds, with their unique languages, places, characters and assumptions.
What I don’t like, however, is when I think I’m observing or participating in a story to learn that it’s actually only a fairy tale. I feel betrayed, tricked or misled.
Have you ever read a story and were fully engulfed in a theme, only to find out it wasn’t true, relevant or congruent? Bummer! I hate “bate-and-switch” experiences.
Consider the following word association chart:
So, when it comes to your church facility, is it telling a story or a fairy tale? Is it congruent with who you are? Your vision? Your mission? Your culture? Or, will people see your facility — and then, upon experiencing your interactions, worship experiences, first impression and culture, realize that it was just a fairy tale?
Tell me what you think: Are your facilities telling an intentional story, or merely a fairy tale?
Tim Cool is project executive at Visioneering Studios in Charlotte, NC, and founder of Cool Solutions Group. Since 1986, Cool has served the church community in the areas of construction, facility planning and facility management. He can be reached at tcool@visioneeringstudios.com.
