Pastoral Ministry and Writing

Over time, I’ve realized that part of what God’s call on my life is for me write on some modest level.  Part of my Sabbatical is also about renewal for writing.  While, I won’t be writing to a deadline during Sabbatical, I will be reading, taking notes, and thinking about future writing projects.

For me, the heart of writing is that it is how I can best multiply the talents entrusted to me (Matt 25:14-30).  Christians are not called to play it safe.  We are to make the most of what God has entrusted to us.

Those gifted to write, have stunning opportunities to share with people around the world.  What would Paul have said about the thought that he could write to churches via the Internet?

In addition to the idea of being the best steward of what God has entrusted to me, I can also relate point for point with a summary of reasons for writing that John Piper recently shared.  (Be assured that I in know way consider myself as a peer with John Piper!)

John Piper:

Why do I pursue writing in this way? There are other very important things to do. Here are the reasons that I am aware of, moving from general to specific.

1. I exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ. Writing is one way of spreading this passion. God says I exist for his glory (Isaiah 43:7). Therefore, I write to make him look great.
2. I write to serve the church. Speaking the truth about important things is a good thing for the health of the church. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32). Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17). I pray that the church will be helped by what I write.
3. I learn most when I am writing. So since God commands me to grow in the knowledge and the grace of the Lord (2 Peter 3:18), it seems like a good method for me.
4. I find a good deal of pleasure in the craft of writing. Some people delight to paint. Others to sculpt. Others to remodel old furniture. Others to crochet and cross-stitch. I delight to make words effective in awakening passion for the sake of Christ-exalting truth.
5. I have been profoundly changed by reading books. So I know that God uses books to change people for his glory. I would like to see others experience some of the things I have experienced in seeing God through the eyes of others.
6. Finally, there is an inner impulse that I cannot explain that drives me to write. I would write if there were no possibility of publication. I have hundreds of pages that no one has ever seen but me, and it would not matter ultimately if they were destroyed. I wrote them not to be published but because there is an impulse from within.