Effective Christian Writing

• Attitudes & Professionalism

• God in my work: writing in the shadow of the cross

• Faith & writing 

• Impact without sermonizing

• What Speaks the Loudest?

• NEWS for Christian Writers

(adapted from a list of “Hazards. . .” --- notes from a lecture by John H. Redekop)
 

• Thoughts on the goodness of Christian Writing by the Director of High School Ministries at First Baptist Church of Los Altos
   

A goal is something you want to achieve and have a measure of control over, but others can prevent you from reaching it.

Goals should be realistic. For instance, Writer’s Digest publishes 365 writing prompts each year. It may not be realistic for you to do every single one of them.

A desire is something you want to happen but depends on others, and you cannot control its fulfillment.

Desires might be realistic but what happens if you call them goals? You make yourself responsible for the goals of other people!

Which is which?

a. I will write 500 words a day.
b. I will be published six times this year.
c. If I receive a rejection, I will resubmit that piece within the next two days.
d. My writing will bless my readers.
e. People will be saved through reading my devotionals.
f. I will learn how to write a good personality profile.
 

How important to recognize the differences between goals and desires in your writing life. Better to set goals and work to make them happen, than to be a victim of unrealized desires.

I do something in my imagination that for some reason gives me a mental break and allows me to focus on the tasks. I often imagine myself the day after a huge project is finished.

For example, I have a large project happening on Monday November 22 in the morning, and I am imagining the release of the pressure at 10:15 am - the time when the event is scheduled to end.

After that I know I will be in the process of post-event clean-up: kind of like savoring dessert after the dinner rush. For some reason this gives me a mental break that really mellows me out. ~ Janis Leong

Note from webmaster: This is like Hebrews 12! In the race set before us, we are to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. When we look at the end result, stresses go away. Not only that, as we gaze at Him, we become more like Him! Thanks for the good tip, Janis!

• First identify the hindrances
  1) Attitude problems
      a. False humility (can’t be much so won’t try)
      b. Already know how (need “fresh” challenges, Jesus always gave Peter the hard jobs)
      c. Undisciplined (need to evaluate priorities)
  2) Priorities
      a. What is more important than your writing time?
      b. Don’t let the good crowd out the best. Decide which is the most important to God.
  3) No Place and Time (or inconsistency)
      a. If writing is your calling, need a regular time and place to do it.
      b. Routine is not boring. Need to see revision, writing exercises, etc. as practice to perfect your work.
  4) Wrong Goals
      a. not to get rich or be famous
      b. but to share your heart, be a blessing, minister, make truth known
• Motivation
  1) Recognize your stage writing, none of us are there yet. Read good literature. Have a holy dissatisfaction – not the same as discouragement.
  2) Visualize God’s goals
      a. Continually relying on His Spiritual strength & energy, a vital life
      b. Christlike priorities
  (3) Fruitful life, blessing others
• Opportunity
  1) Trust God with everything on your to-do list
  2) Subtract before you add (Off with old, on with new)
• Persistence
  1) Resist outer and inner clutter. Clean up, get organized.
  2) Resist the “I’ll do it later” temptation and do it now.
  3) Discipline = “harness by which we help the Holy Spirit get the best out of our frail bodies” (Ravenhill)
  4) Forget failure, keep trying. Philippians 3:13-14.
  5) Take chunks of time but also do writing things many moments during the day:
      a. Waiting in line - planning a plot
      b. Meditation in motion - mindless chores, think new lines
      c. Take note of events, people, conversations when out shopping etc. Put them in your stories.
      d. Use a cassette tape in the car.
      e. Write notes when ideas come, use a journal.
      f. Write something every day
• Rewards
  1) Rewards may not be totally monetary
  2) As a believer, you will gain a sense of fulfilling your calling
  3) Some rewards are reserved for eternity

The Apostle Paul realized that central to the success of his ministry was a determination to trust God, not his own strengths and resources. In fact he gloried in his weaknesses and because he did, the power of God was manifest in him. Before you write another word, surrender all your skills and abilities to the Lord. Give Him your fears and weaknesses too. Then ask Him to fill you with His power and wisdom. Now go write!

One of the first steps in telling your story or writing anything without preaching is to realize that only God changes people. While He does use people, we cannot MAKE that happen by the forcefulness of our delivery.

Notice what is happening on the inside while you write. What is your attitude towards your intended audience? If you are preaching in your heart it will come out your mouth. Instead, think of the needs of the reader. Also think of the privilege of being used by God. Write from an attitude of humility and you will not sound preachy!

Talk “up” to your readers rather than assuming they don't know what you have to tell them. Assume that they have heard it before and been turned off. How can you say it in a way that will draw them back?

Suggestions from Jan Karon: Wrestling and Writing from the Heart

• Personal testimonies or stories about how God changed you. How to write it.
• Write hymns! This can be a way to reach human hearts. More information
• Write letters - to the editor, to government officials, to prisoners. Tips
• Evaluate your effectiveness.

© InScribe Christian Writer's Fellowship