WRITING FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH

Words matter God created through the Word The Word is alive Our words speak life, healing, hope, grace, joy, truth…

God is a Writer, a Perfect Author. Just as the rain and the snow come down from the sky         and don’t return there without watering the earth,         making it conceive and yield plants         and providing seed to the sower and food to the eater,     so is my word that comes from my mouth;         it does not return to me empty.         Instead, it does what I want,         and accomplishes what I intend. —Isaiah 55:10-11 CEB words are a gift from God and have power to accomplish a great purpose God puts ideas and words into our hearts to share and they will accomplish what God intends.

What stories in Scripture demonstrate the power of words to instruct the church? How has God used words to reach people? How can modern-day resources help churches reach people for Jesus Christ? Divide into small groups to discuss these questions. ten commandments, instructions to build the temple, psalms that teach us to worship, pray, praise, lament, epistles So to write for the church, we have many entry points—are we writing liturgies, psalms, issues, etc.

Paul’s letters to the early church —specific setting —specific information —greeting and prayers that demonstrate care —they are still relevant to us today

To Write for the Local Church… 1. You have to love the church. 2. You have to know the church. So we know that words matter. Let’s consider how our words can serve the church. Talk about being at UMPH and constantly considering how to create resources for the church—research, conversations with pastors, church leaders, listening and assessing what kinds of resources would serve churches as they do the work of making disciples. You have to know the local church setting. You also have to love the church. When you write for the local church, you’re not writing to get famous. You’re not writing to make money. You write for the church to serve them, to bless them, and to live out your calling to write.

When you write for the local church, quite often you are putting words into the mouths of pastors and congregations, so be —responsible —respectful —reasoned —reliable

Resources for the local church… can point people in the church to the heart of God. They can encourage an energize a community of believers who are pressing on toward the goal of Christ- likeness.

A typical congregation: Looking, waiting for critical resources —Seekers —Believers —Hungry —Confused —Deceived —Serious —Doubting —Unbelieving —Nominal Looking, waiting for critical resources Who is the church? What does the scene look like? What issues do they face? What do pastors need? What do church members need?

Our mission here is to . . . write What do local churches need people to write? What resources would bless, encourage, or serve them? How can these written materials help them grow in faith? as a church? as leaders? discuss these questions. What do churches in your context need? How can you cultivate a culture of writing among your students to create the resources that will serve their churches?

examples mention the work of the publishing teams—catechism, hymns, UMC history booklets, Christmas articles, Thanksgiving articles, Sunday school material? Youth materials?

Believe in your project vision. Be an expert on the matter. Be humble in your approach. Remember your congregation. Some writers are great novelists and storytellers. Some writers are wonderful historians. Some are gifted at communicating to young people. What if your gift to write could be expressed through a resource for local churches? remember your congregation—write to a church—keep them and their setting always at the front of mind.