The example from John 4 was excellent. As was the astute observation that John 4 points out that for some people, they need to experience belonging before believing.
Also helpful was his analysis of the essential role narrative plays in education and identity formation. Specifically, his noting that emerging generations process their lives through story is also wise to include.
Nevertheless there were a few things that I struggled with as I read this chapter. First, I felt that Johnson began his chapter with a little bit of antipathy toward people that use the storytelling style of evangelism. He seemed to imply that even when these people share the gospel faithfully, they are overly dramatic and self-centered. I personally don't believe this always has to be the case.
Also, I think that some of the instructions about a narrative style of evangelism attempts to understand all evangelistic encounters as one-time encounters. I believe this is a little too narrow of an understanding of the storytelling style. Many times, a storyteller-evangelist will slowly share his or her story over time. In this approach, people share their lives and their story of faith over time, as they share life with people, instead of trying to fit a story into a prescribed outline and getting the whole outline shared in one moment.
The more I read this book, the more I wish Mr. Johnson would have edited this book, wrote a few chapters, and allowed people who were passionate about each style to share about why they believe that their style of evangelism is powerful and effective. But it was not up to me!
All in all, though, Got Style? gives a a good cursory overview of the storytelling style. And, overall, I finding this book well worth my time in reading it.
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