Looking Inside the Christian Writer

Lush Quotes

1^st Writes began an exciting study this week! With so many new writers joining our group, Dawn, Brianna, and I decided to center our Spring 2013 classes around Ethel Herr’s God-inspired resource, Introduction to Christian Writing: An In-depth Companion to the Complete Writing Experience. Available through Amazon, “this exhaustive textbook covers everything a beginning writer needs to know about getting published and serves as a solid reminder for the professional who needs an occasional bit of advice.”

Will you join us on the journey? Where is God leading your writing this year? Do you share some of our goals?

• Write every day: Remember, writing doesn’t have to be done sitting down.
• Install the app “Dragon” on your smart phone. Dragon transcribes spoken words.
• Pick up a mini notebook with attached pen (available at Staples) or 3x5 cards and never leave home without them. Jot down ideas wherever and whenever.
• Take definitive steps toward publication—for some it is a book; for others it is a devotional.
• Research markets: Talk to others, check online, study the market guides.
• Meet with a publishing coach: Now we are getting serious about our writing!
• Finish a project started weeks, months, or years ago. No more procrastination!
• Break it into smaller bites.
• Work on it a while, then write something for fun. Work on it a while, then write something for fun.

How do Christian writers differ from secular writers? Mechanically we differ very little. However, spiritually, Christian writers believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord: Like Ethel Herr says, “He gives us our typing orders. For each of us, those orders will be uniquely fitted to our individual capabilities.”

The Christian writer sees writing as a ministry—as acts of service for God’s pleasure that reveal God’s character.

How can our writing gift be used as a ministry? Our gift of writing be used in conjunction with the ministries of pastors, Sunday school teachers, missionaries, musicians—all those who have been gifted and called to God’s service and need materials from which to work. Our gift can challenge, encourage, and educate both those who do not yet know Christ and those who do. Though it may not seem like it to us, writing is just as important a ministry as preaching or teaching or leading worship.

What are the challenges of ministering through writing? Ethel Herr shares several:

• Not only grabbing our readers’ attention but penetrating their hearts
• Presenting all of life from the Christian viewpoint
• Providing a clear, accurate, biblical picture of God
• Writing to meet others’ needs rather than our own
• Admitting our own weaknesses
• Avoiding the tendency to preach

Scriptural Standard for Christian Writers: We suggest two from Colossians. Can you recommend others?

• Colossians 3:17—“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus . . .”
• Colossians 3:23—“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. "

Will you pray with us as we dedicate this year to becoming better equipped, more prolific writers for Jesus, following His Word in Matthew 28:19-20?

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Homework (for January 23): Write a devotional on what you see from one of the windows of your home
OR
Write a Christian fiction piece based on this prompt: You are the last one to leave church and you hear a loud thump between the aisles.