A good friend found this fun article in the latest issue of Fast Company. It’s titled, “The Napkin Sketch,” and talks about how large corporations — such as Wal-Mart, Microsoft, Infosys, and Peet’s Coffee and Tea — are using napkin sketches to communicate large, complex ideas. Sound familiar?
Obviously, I’m excited because of its implications for The Big Story. Isn’t this what we’re trying to do: to take something large and complex like the Kingdom of God, and make it accessible without oversimplifying? As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. . . .
I need to come up with a napkin-sketchable political science theory!
James — Wal-Mart should be paying you royalties :)
I just received an email update from the National Pastors Convention 2009 and I saw that you’ll be speaking? Congrats! Looking forward to it…
A book I have been reading recently is the Back of the Napkin by Dan Roam (below). It is a systematic approach to answering who, what, when, where, how and how-much questions using basic patterns. So who is writing stories for our generation on the back of napkins? Lets keep pressing this forward…
Dana
http://www.amazon.com/Back-Napkin-Solving-Problems-Pictures/dp/1591841992
James,
Thanks for your thoughtfulness in this area of evangelism. I have often used and encouraged the use of the napkin; however, using the navigators’ “bridge diagram.” Your “big story” is a refreshing take on that idea. I appreciated you sharing it through YouTube.
Vince
For Dana – when you live in the Seattle area – you’re in coffee shop country and sitting around a table while the rain drizzles down outside makes for great opportunities to share stuff on a napkin. There is always an abundant supply at the local Starbucks! Try it!
Thanks Vince!