By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
I’ve often been asked how I view my writing. Is it a career, hobby, a means to gain recognition, purchase something special? Or is it a ministry?
The Christian writer who communicates through the written word journeys into a personal ministry. Every genre needs wholesome material that entertains, inspires, teaches, or informs. Exploring the process of writing as believers adds richness to our lives—and to those who value and enjoy our manuscripts.
The Calling:
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The Great Commission isn’t limited to pastors and missionaries. It applies to writers as well.
The Writer:
- A belief in God the Father, Jesus His Son, and the Holy Spirit. He’s the Editor in Chief.
- A commitment to wholesome fiction and nonfiction.
- A humble attitude of hard work.
Responsibilities:
- To write with a Christian worldview.
- To accept writing is all about the reader.
- To understand writing is a continuous process to learn the craft and keep updated of the publishing world.
- To believe the writer does their best with the knowledge God is in control.
- To meet the needs of writing students who need prayer, encouragement, and accountability.
What about Marketing, Promotion, Social Media, Speaking?
- The gift of writing includes honoring God with marketing and promotion.
- The passion for the project may involve speaking and public events.
- The art of social media is a ministry.
Writing can be a career. It can generate income, open doors, and build influence. But for the Christian writer, it is also a calling. Whether we are drafting a novel, answering emails, mentoring a student, or posting online, we represent Christ.
Ministry isn’t defined by a pulpit. Sometimes its defined by obedience on a keyboard.
How do you define ministry?
Diann, I do consider writing a ministry, and I hope at some point it will be a career for me, too. I’ve always considered biblical fiction to be a good way to share testimony, like Francine Rivers did with her book Redeeming Love.
Hi Rachel, biblical fiction is a beautiful way to honor God with our writing!
For me, writing is ministry and it’s worship.
I pray Ps. 90:17 often.
And may it be so.
Maureen, your quote is one to frame. I’m now going to read Psalm 90. Worship Him with all our being. Thank you
As one who writes for Him, I define my ministry with one word—worship.
Biblically, there are many examples where the worshipers went ahead and defeated the enemy with nothing but praise.
As a writer in ministry, I define what I do as worship… sometimes “warship.”
I pray Psalm 90:17 often, always for the ultimate sake of the reader.
And may it be so!
I love that ministry is sometimes defined by obedience on a keyboard. What we do is hard work, but work that can have eternal significance if we co-create with God. What a privilege!
Lana, it is a privilege. The Author of the best selling book of all times asks us to join Him.
DiAnn, as always you covered your chosen subject well. Our writing journey takes us through many changes in attitude and method, but, ultimately, I believe writing is simply a part of our life’s calling to glorify God in different ways at different times. If I may add a bit of humor: if only electronics didn’t get in the way! The late, great writer Yvonne Lehman said it best, and I quote her: “I know what to do when I get there, it’s the getting there that baffles me.”
Thanks, Peggy, I love the quote from Yvonne. Yes, electronics can be a pain as my trip to the Geek Squad proved today!
Writing is surely a ministry as God gave us his WRITTEN word.
Thank you for your insight – yes, our ministry is a calling,
Great article DiAnn! To me ministry is whatever God calls you to do and doing it. While I am not called to write I am so thankful for the Christian writers who write Christian fiction! My favorite genre! Thank you for your ministry!
Thank you so much, Mary, for your kind words. And thank you for reading Christian fiction.
I consider my writing to be a ministry. The word the Lord has given to me for this year is missionary. I am so privileged to be able to try to share the gospel around the world without leaving my home. The Lord has put us in this day and age and time for such a time is this.
Hi Judy, thanks for your comments. Imagine the early church logging onto a website to spread the Word of Jesus. But they evangelized face-to-face, and that’s a very good thing.
Thank you, DiAnn, for such a profound post about our writing ministry. I consider writing to be a great privilege given as a gift from God. I think of ministry as reflecting God’s Word through my own words.
Kay, I really like “ministry as reflecting God’s Word through my words.” That’s a keeper.
Scripture tells us we all have specific gifts. Our challenge is to take those gifts and use them to our best ability to honor Christ.
Thanks for this post, DiAnn.
Thanks, Tim. And we must be good stewards of those gifts.
I define ministry as obeying the calling he gave me to write. And when I become discouraged, he speaks to me through His word. Just like this morning’s devotions: “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” Galatians 5:7 Thank you for keeping us on track, DiAnn.
Thank you, Ginny. I believe when we fail to see our whole lives are a ministry, then we are miserable.
DiAnn, I couldn’t agree with you more on all points in this article. I consider social media a way to encourage and uplift people to see God’s grace, mercy and love. Also, each one of my books are written to glorify Jesus. To point to Him as the solution to all problems. As a Pastor’s kid, I fully see writing as a ministry and the byline on my website is “Giving God Glory With Every Story”. Thank you for this encouraging article.
Rebecca, thank you for sharing your wisdom. I really like your tag line!