Launching a Writing Ministry

 

I’m seeking your advice on starting a Substack/blog. While I’m not a great writer and don’t have much to share yet, I see value in starting now to grow. Could you share any tips or resources that helped you as you began?

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At the moment, I am working my way through some items from my mailbag on this blog. Today’s question is an interesting one. Essentially, it involves knowing whether and how to begin a writing ministry. I have previously written about whether and how to write a book, but this is a different question. The answer lies within reach of more people. I do not consider myself an expert by any means, but I will give you my thoughts on the matter.

Six thoughts. Here goes.

1) The only way to be a writer is to start writing.

Writers write – that statement got me off the bench and into the game.

As a wide-ranging, long-standing reader, the idea of writing something myself naturally presented itself from time to time. Before social media, internet forums were a thing. I joined one, and often participated. From time to time, the conversations morphed into long-form discussions, and I felt that suited my desire to communicate context and depth. Occasionally, I even wrote stand-alone articles here and there. But in the main, all I did was growl that I could write a better post or book than the one I happened to be reading.

It dawned on me one day that I was no better than the members of my church who wanted to become soul winners but never did anything about it. They just postponed it with a vague, “Someday, I’ll get around to it.” Soul winners do not talk about witnessing, watch other people witness, or read about witnessing. They tell other people about Jesus. So it is with writers. They determine writing is worth doing, and set aside a regular time to do it, regardless of whether they think the result will be widely read or not.

You will never become a writer by contemplating it. Write something.

 

2) The only way to improve as a writer is to continue writing.

It is possible to do something regularly and never improve. It is not possible, however, to do something only occasionally and improve. Consistent, regular, scheduled activity is necessary for excellence in any endeavor. Paired with the analysis available by today’s online editing tools, and honed by friendly criticism now and again, there is no reason the typical thoughtful individual cannot become a decent writer. But you must commit yourself to putting in consistent effort and producing constant content.

 

3) The only way to have content worth reading is to study.

When I was younger, I thought my insights were brilliant. Little did I know… Over time, God, in His grace, brought me to see that the world does not need my insight; it needs His. The better I know His Word and understand His thoughts, the more benefits and blessings come to those within my influence. So I must study His Word.

I did not do this to become a writer. Writing was not on my radar at the time. I did it because I wanted to rightly understand the Bible, push back against those who would weaken the truth, and help His people. So I made a list of biblical concepts I did not understand very well, and set out to study up on them. I compiled stacks of books, took classes, watched videos, and built up my knowledge base. I then turned those into tools I used regularly or series I preached/taught to others. Music. Eschatology. Hermeneutics. Teaching. Jesus. Fundamentalism. Assimilation. Counseling. Systematic Theology. Old Testament types. Cults. Sanctification. Evangelism. Grace. Ecclesiology. Prayer. Faith. Heaven. Leadership. Marriage. Suffering. Money. Blessing. Worship. Standards. Wisdom. Faith. Character. Prayer. The King James issue. Alcohol. Love.Etc. And hundreds of detailed expositional sermons, working my way through an extended passage or book of the Bible.

Please do not misunderstand me. I am NOT saying you have to do this. God leads us along individual paths as we follow Him. What I am saying is that honing the ability to write without, at the same time, gathering things worth hearing is an exercise in vanity and a waste of time.

 

4) Because these two things need to mature – your writing ability and your depth of content – you should begin writing first for the immediate circle in which you minister now.

Thus far, it may seem I have given you two contrary pieces of advice. Start writing
immediately. Study or experience until you have something to say worth hearing. But the truth is, you can begin now, whatever age you are. Assuming you are currently serving the Lord, start by considering how you can use writing in the arena in which you currently serve. Do you run a bus route? Perhaps you could write a monthly newsletter for everyone who is in any way associated with that route. Do you teach a teen Sunday School class? Perhaps you could write a handout to go with each lesson, or summarize the lesson in written form and send it home with them. Do you work with seniors? Perhaps you could write occasional articles for them on things that matter to seniors – health, grandchildren, finances, scams, feeling useful, travel, etc.

You do not need to wait until your beard has gone gray and your reputation for wisdom has increased. Write right now and gear it toward the orbit you are currently in.

 

5) As these two things mature, widen your reach.

I am not even sure I should mention this one. This is more of a God thing than a man thing. Many years ago, an older preacher told me, “When you deepen your message, God widens your ministry.” The Scriptural equivalent is 1 Timothy 4.15. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. As you develop your capacity and ability to edify God’s people, He gives you more opportunities to do so. Your path will not look like mine. Neither will it look like what you currently expect. But the Lord will do it, and it will be remarkable to see in hindsight.

Again, do not misunderstand me. I am not asking you to crawl into a hole and close it off behind you. It is good and right to seek to advance your knowledge base, skill set, and opportunities to minister. But you will find that the doors the Lord opens for you along the way are better than the ones you lever a crowbar into and force.

Grow in Him, in your likeness to Him, in your knowledge of Him, and in your usefulness to Him. He will use it, rest assured.

 

6) Do not expect either monetary compensation or a wide and interested readership; expect to minister to those who will let you.

When I was a young man, I dreamed of the glorious future that awaited, the opportunities that would throw themselves at my feet once they noticed me. I have written elsewhere of how God beat that out of me. I am most grateful that He did. If I had had in those days the opportunities to minister that I have now, I would have accomplished little for Him while my pride marched me swiftly to destruction. But by the grace of God, my perspective has changed over the years. As Jack Hyles wrote in his poem, “Just Let Me Be Your Servant”: (Let Me Be Your Servant, n.d.)

 

I used to sit in college class

And ask the sluggish year to pass;

I had a goal to reach.

My mind would soar above the clouds

And dream when overflowing crowds

Would come to hear me preach.

 

And now I stand before the crowds,

With mind descending 'neath the clouds;

My goals are rearranged.

I simply want to fill your need;

So lovingly I gently plead,

“My dreams have all been changed;

Just let me be your servant.”

 

When you first offer yourself via the written word, it will probably be mostly ignored and rapidly forgotten. That is fine. The same thing happens with all ministry. You build a writing ministry the same way you build any other ministry – consistent effort regardless of apparent result. And as with all ministry, it is not going to make you money; it is going to cost you money. And time. And sweat. And tears. All of which your Saviour understands.

Thousands of years ago, God reached down to an old man and asked him to serve. In his prime, he had been arrogant. He had thought he was God’s gift to his people. Four decades later, when God finally deemed him ready, he was the opposite of proud – he was uncertain, unworthy, and filled with excuses. With deft care, God asked him not to do great things, but simply to yield to Him that which was in his hand: And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee. And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. (Exodus 4.1-3)

Do not insist, even in your mind, that God use you greatly. Simply offer Him what you have in your hand – the energy and optimism of youth, a godly life, a desire to serve Him and help people, and your pen – and let Him make of it what He wills.