An Example of Gathering a Story

The following example was a process for gathering stories from businessmen in Auckland. 

Concept
Story gathering is not the same as filling in a questionnaire.  It is about having an engaging conversation, where you assist someone to expand their ideas, and document them accurately. Some things do need to be included, but that can be done by quietly guiding the conversation rather than asking someone to fill in the blanks.  This mean as you visit you need to go in, with confidence, convince the person of the value of what you are attempting, establish trust and rapport with your professionalism, make sure you get accurate notes and taped conversation, leave with aplomb, not overstay your time, etc

Introduction
Give your name card, a brochure on New Covenant and one on Vision for Auckland, plus the page on the nature of the project.
    Get his card, so you have all the details.
    Introduce the nature of the project:

Vision for Auckland has been a process of connecting Auckland Christian leaders around shared vision for evangelism, renewal and transforamation of society.  It began with 20 leaders, has developed through monthly thinktanks and a couple of huis, has resulted in the connecting of the prayer movements, a cities database, and coordinating team etc.   There are indications that  next year we will probably see significant development of the idea of Christians transforming society.   
    Part of the vision is connecting leaders in law, medicine, business etc into thinktanks with strategies for changing society.  New Covenant is a four year Ministry Training School. This school project with students from Viv Grigg’s Urban Missions class is one small step in extending that identification of those leaders in business who are proactive in applying the scriptures to their companies, and connecting them through a small profile to other key leaders.
    We will interview 15 leaders, develop the database, do some analysis, and if these are quality enough publish this in a 36 page booklet with some analysis, back to those leaders and others. 
    This may be ? a useful step in pulling together a consultation of business leaders as to strategy for the business community in the city later in the year.

    Possible points to develop the discussion
* What is your story as you have sought to apply Christian or ethical principles into business.
* What Christian values do you think are most significant?  And how do you see them being applied?
* What networks of businessmen are in place in the city? What small groups? How have they helped you ? What is needed?
* What events have been significant in expanding the Christian businessmen’s perception of how the Kingdom of God can change the business environment?
* What resources (books, seminars etc) have helped you develop your thinking in these areas?  What are needed?
* Do you know of other Christian leaders in business who have a vision for transforming business, who have a vision for transforming business culture with principles of the kingdom?
Is there a need for a consultation or think tank of business leaders to pull those ideas together and disseminate them more widely? Is this something you could commit to?

Conclusions
Get two or three photos on the camera as you are interviewing which can be included.

Commit to sending a copy of what you will write up for his verification and a final booklet.  Ideally on disk or by email attachment, so he/she can edit it if they wants.