Melanie Cave interviews Martin Shaw, exploring the profound role of storytelling, myth, and wilderness in our spiritual growth. We explore the importanceof stories in church life, personal initiation, and cultural identity, unpacking how stories shape our understanding of God, community, and ourselves, and advocating for a more untidy, questioning approach to faith and spirituality.

Keywords

storytelling, myth, spirituality, Christian faith, wilderness, initiation, church, cultural identity, sacred stories, religious experience

Key topics

The role of storytelling and myth in spiritual life

The importance of wilderness for initiation and transformation

The relationship between myth, culture, and identity

Sound Bites

"We live in a symbolic world surrounded by metaphors."

"Bible stories are profoundly mysterious and layered."

"May rocks be rolled away and new life rise this Easter."

Chapters

00:00 The Roots of Storytelling

03:32 The Meaning of Myth

06:09 Myth and National Identity

09:13 The Power of Nuanced Stories

11:54 Storytelling in the Church

15:00 The Role of Wilderness in Initiation

24:26 Embracing the Dichotomy of Spirituality

26:32 The Balance of Wildness and Community

29:31 Navigating Prophetic and Pastoral Tensions

32:52 The Interplay of Mystery and Understanding

35:48 The Power of Storytelling Across Generations

42:30 Diversity in Storytelling and Spirituality

45:40 Reflections on Personal Myths and Prayer

Show Notes

Liturgies of the Wild by Martin Shaw https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/477131/liturgies-of-the-wild-by-shaw-martin/9781846048913

Roots for Churches www.rootsforchurches.com

A concise collection of excerpts from the Children’s Ministry Network Conference (March 2026) on how churches and children’s ministries can respond to a changing, multicultural UK. Melanie Cave introduces the theme, followed by Dr. Israel Oliofinjana on intercultural theology, Dr. Phoebe Owen on identity, and Nathaniel Jennings on intercultural discipleship.

Listeners will hear theological foundations, real-life challenges for second- and third-generation children, practical ideas for worship and leadership, and tips for building relational, justice-aware, intergenerational ministries.

Show Notes:

Books & Articles:

• Great book on cultural awareness to notice and celebrate and work with difference: The Culture Map
• Israel’s latest book, Polyphonic God https://chbookshop.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9780334066583/polyphonic-god
• Nathaniel has written an article about TCKs https://www.interculturalireland.org/post/treasures-of-the-nations
• The 3D Gospel: Ministry in Guilt, Shame, and Fear Cultures by Jayson Georges https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/the-church/the-3d-gospel-ministry-in-guilt-shame-and-fear-cultures/?site_id=162595&adtype=pla&device=c&product_id=4686000&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=173897424&gbraid=0AAAAAD_MZYAyfcfpOk-peg8jTkS5og8i4&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmunNBhDbARIsAOndKplfaBJxsZ4OJMFTjVvQaZLosW2jG89px-iRuqWVMHTuK2i1R6N2h_gaAjtYEALw_wcB

Podcasts/Videos:

• Intercultural church podcasts including ‘Treasures of the nations’ video that was used in worship and Phoebe Owen’s spoken word about identity https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PLLSUhCGUGbHZWEzQB7uJz3PlOZaoS3UdP
• OMF Podcast series- Building Intercultural Church https://omf.org/uk/interculturalpod/
• An interview with Jessie Tang about Intercultural worship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W-WwxIGvrQ

Training and Resources:

• Intercultural church training Phoebe’s organisation runs courses, and monthly huddle groups online: https://interculturalchurches.org/training/
• OMF offers this Intercultural training for churches: www.omf.org/uk/get-involved/intercultural-ministry/course/

Songs for intercultural/ multi-lingual worship: https://songs2serve.eu/

Networks for ongoing support:

• Anglican Network for Intercultural Churches www.anic.org.uk
• Intercultural Churches UK www.interculturalchurches.org
• EA One People Commission www.eauk.org/what-we-do/networks/one-people-commission
• Weave www.icctgathering.net
• OMF intercultural Ministry www.omf.org/uk/get-involved/intercultural-ministry

Melanie Cave speaks with Charnelle Barclay from the Centre for Theology and Community about reimagining evangelism as a call to justice and holistic transformation. Charnelle explains how community organising—listening deeply, empowering agency, building relational power, and addressing root causes—connects faith with practical action, examples include a local safety campaign and a food-share project that drew people into church life.

The conversation outlines practical steps for churches: shift theology toward holistic care, practice intentional listening, support grassroots leadership, and use the cycle of prayer and organising to research, act, evaluate and rest. Resources and training are available for churches wanting to start.