Creative Writing as Ministry - 5. Conclusion

By. Sophia B. 

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I have read the works of many writers that have bolstered my faith and encouraged me during the storms of life, even though they will never know it this side of eternity. Although we do not understand how our works might influence someone, we can trust that "God gave our talents to us for a purpose, his purpose" (Elsheimer 42). Creative writers have a wonderful gift not only for helping people know Jesus, but also to promote spiritual growth and impact those who are hurting. If my life has been changed by the writing of others, then surely my writing can also make a difference in the lives of others.

Works Cited

Elsheimer, Janice. The Creative Call: An Artist’s Response to the Way of the Spirit. WaterBrook, 1984.

Resources for Further Study

I have compiled the following list of sources to help you dive deeper into the topic of creative writing as a ministry.

Books

• Bell, James Stuart, and Anthony Palmer Dawson. From the Library of C. S. Lewis: Selections From Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey. Shaw, 2004. This is a useful compilation of authors, including Christian writers, who influenced Lewis. 
• Elsheimer, Janice. The Creative Call: An Artist’s Response to the Way of the Spirit. WaterBrook, 1984. As a workbook for artists, writers will find this book helpful in seeing the value of their call and the biblical basis for using their talent for God’s glory.
• Gerke, Jeff. The Art & Craft of Writing Christian Fiction. Writer's Digest, 2014. A book that includes a vital discussion of what it means to write as a Christian for the glory of God. Gerke also gives practical writing advice.  
• Kinkade, Thomas. The Art of Creative Living: Making Every Day a Radiant Masterpiece. Warner Faith, 2005. Although this book focuses on the art of Thomas Kinkade, it is a helpful resource for all artists, including writers, who want to explore the purpose of their God-given talents.
• Ryken, Leland. The Christian Imagination. Shaw, 2002. As part of the Writers’ Palette books, this work discusses the connection between literature and the Christian faith.

Organizations

• The Rabbit Room – A Christ-centered organization that seeks to foster a creative community around stories, art, and music. Andrew Peterson, songwriter and author, started the organization.

Websites

• Compel Training Blog – A blog that provides practical advice and encouragement to Christian women writers.
• Kingdom Pen – This website seeks to equip teen Christian writers. 
• Story Embers – Another website geared toward young writers but is useful for people of any age. It provides articles about writing, such as how to incorporate Christian themes into your stories.  

Online Article

• “Q&A with Randy Alcorn About His Writing” from Eternal Perspective Ministries – In this article, Randy Alcorn talks about how his faith affects his writing. As an author of both fiction and non-fiction works, his advice is helpful for other Christian writers.

Video Resources

• The Fantasy Makers directed by Andrew Wall– A documentary about the writers C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and George MacDonald, who greatly influenced the fantasy genre of fiction. Anyone can watch this film for free on Redeem TV.
•  The Science Fiction Makers directed by Andrew Wall– A documentary about Christian writers who influenced the genre of science fiction, including C. S. Lewis, Madeleine L’Engle, and Victor Rousseau. This documentary is also available to watch for free on Redeem TV.  

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Creative Writing as Ministry - 4. Creative Nonfiction

 By. Sophia B.

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When I was in elementary school, I usually equated nonfiction with “boring” books. If my teacher ever took our class to the school library, I would avoid the nonfiction section and instead head toward the fiction section, where I could find the Paddington or American Girl books. However, I now enjoy reading nonfiction works because of the story quality of creative nonfiction works. According to Writers.com, creative nonfiction “is a form of storytelling that employs the creative writing techniques of literature, such as poetry and fiction, to retell a true story” (Glatch, par. 5). The genre is different than the mere presentation of facts since it presents true events using a story.

Today’s postmodern culture of the Western world is drawn more toward stories than the presentation of facts and logic. Although Christians should not throw out the use of logical proof, we need to consider our postmodern audience and “also concentrate on the imagination and aesthetics, giving attention to beauty, stories, emotions, and feelings” (Chan 121). Creative nonfiction powerfully melds real events with the gripping beauty of literary forms by giving readers a story that is personal yet true. As writers, we need to recognize that creative nonfiction holds immense potential for presenting testimonies, life events, and other teachings from a biblical worldview in a way that captivates readers.   

Personal Testimonies for Christ

Memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies are all personal works that immerse readers into the lives of others. These works can also present a compelling presentation of the gospel through personal testimony. An example of a book that testifies to the good news of Jesus is Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi. In the prologue of his autobiographical work, Qureshi sketches an emotional scene where he is praying in a mosque, asking God to reveal Himself (26). Throughout the rest of the book, the reader is taken on an exciting journey of faith as Qureshi discovers that Jesus is God and the only Savior.

His book serves as a testimony to Muslims about true faith in Christ and provides an apologetic for interacting with people who practice Islam. In the expanded edition of the book, there is an extended epilogue that includes further information about his salvation, how to minister to Muslims, and his advice to new believers who come from an Islamic background (Qureshi 284-297). Thus, readers can learn about his testimony and how to minister to Muslims through his personal story of faith.

Strengthening Faith through Nonfiction

Biographical works also strengthen the faith of believers. My walk with Christ has been enriched by reading biographies like A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliot, about the life of Amy Carmichael, and Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn. I read these books at key moments, which encouraged me in a deeper relationship with Christ. When I read A Chance to Die, I was experiencing severe anemia and undergoing iron infusions. Amy Carmichael’s example of faith, regardless of her health, challenged me to trust God more deeply.

During the pandemic in 2020, I read Becoming Elisabeth Elliot, which again challenged my faith and relationship with God. Elliot's ability to continue working on the mission field and evangelizing to the people who killed her husband was humbling. It made me question if I would be able to show such love and grace to “my enemies.” Since Jesus tells us “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” His words took on new meaning when I read of how Elliot lived them out (Matt. 5:44).

True Stories of Hope

Other creative nonfiction works can also touch the lives of hurting individuals. In Joey, Jennifer Marshall Bleakley presents the true story of a blind horse who changes the lives of children and adults at the ministry Hope Reigns in Raleigh, North Carolina. Although Joey went blind after being neglected at his former home, he was able to help many children who were going through difficult issues like abuse or depression. One example is how Speckles, the horse that helped Joey around the field, impacted a little boy who had autism and did not like to be touched. After experiencing contact with Speckles, he willingly touched his mother’s nose and allowed himself to be touched, which was a major feat (Bleakley 150-151). As Bleakley states in the book, “Two horses that many would say were broken and unusable had just brought hope into the life of a mother desperate to reach her son” (151).      

The story is inspirational and powerful because just as two horses that had experienced evilness at the hand of others through abuse and neglect were able to bring hope and healing into the lives of others, so also can readers’ lives be used by God for His good. Even if we are broken and have experienced pain, the Lord can use us for His glory. Books like Joey demonstrate that nonfiction works can encourage hope in readers.

Closing Thoughts

    While nonfiction is often regarded as less exciting than fiction or poetry, the advances in creative nonfiction have made this genre popular in bookstores and libraries. I have been strengthened in my faith through biographies and comforted by works that speak to the sufferings I have faced. If these Christian authors were able to strengthen my walk with God and teach me biblical truths, then I am confident nonfiction writing can affect people for Christ just as powerfully as fiction and poetry.  

Works Cited

Bleakley, Jennifer Marshall. Joey: How a blind rescue horse helped others learn to see. Tyndale, 2018.

Chan, Sam.  Evangelism in a Skeptical World: How to Make the Unbelievable News about Jesus More Believable. Zondervan Academic, 2018.

Elliot, Elisabeth. A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael. Revell, 1987.

Glatch, Sean. “Creative Nonfiction: What It Is and How to Write It.” Writers.com, 08 Sept. 2020, https://writers.com/what-is-creative-nonfiction. 

Qureshi, Nabeel. Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity. Zondervan, 2016.

Vaughn, Ellen. Becoming Elisabeth Elliot. B&H, 2020.

Suggested Works for Further Reading

• A Deep Dependence by Bill Crowder - Our Daily Bread is a great example of nonfiction writing that uses personal stories to connect with biblical truths.
• A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller – Using his experience as a shepherd, Keller relates biblical lessons through his examples of herding sheep.
• Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances by Rachel Anne Ridge – A heartwarming story about how a donkey changed the life of a woman and her family. 
• Joey: How a blind rescue horse helped others learn to see by Jennifer Marshall Bleakley.
• Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi.
• The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel - Although Strobel is presenting logical proofs of Christianity, he presents his evidence in a way where the reader travels with him through his investigation.

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Creative Writing as Ministry - 3. Poetry

 By. Sophia B.

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People have been moved by poetry for thousands of years. Some of the most beloved passages in the Bible come from the book of Psalms, which is composed of poems written by a variety of authors, including David, Moses, and Asaph. Since God chose to use poetry in His Word, then believers can also use this form of writing to impact people for His glory.

Musical Poetry – Showcasing the Beauty of the Gospel

In an interview with The Gospel Coalition, Jackie Hill Perry emphasized the emotional aspect of poetry, which makes it an effective form for reaching people at a personal level. She stated, “I think poetry and music really is a beautiful way to influence people’s thoughts and feelings toward something and someone higher and better” (Perry). As a poet and rapper, she seeks to do just that by sharing the gospel creatively through the spoken word.

Just as spoken word hip-hop combines poetry with music, so also did the hymn writers use their skills to craft poetic songs that share the good news of Christ. John Newton’s hymn, “Amazing Grace” presents his testimony lyrically with vivid images. In describing his radical change when he placed faith in Jesus, he wrote, “I once was lost but now am found, / Was blind, but now I see” (Newton, verse 1). Similarly, Fanny Crosby, a prolific hymn writer and poet, penned many hymns that testified to the transforming power of the gospel. In her hymn “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!” she sings of salvation and being “Redeemed by the blood of the lamb” (Crosby, verse 1). 

Challenging Our Hearts – Poetry and Discipleship

While specific poetic works focus on beautifully conveying the message of the gospel, such as the ones written by Perry, Newton, and Crosby, other poems work to stretch us spiritually. A small collection of poems by Amy Carmichael called If, challenges me every time I read it with the reminder of Jesus’ sacrificial love and how believers should live considering this truth. In one part of the poem, she wrote,

“If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I

lose affection,

or lest the one concerned should

say, ‘You do not understand,’

or because I fear to lose my

reputation for kindness;

If I put my own good name before

the other’s highest good,

then I know nothing of Calvary love”

(Carmichael 26).

In a similar use of the poetic word, modern poet Scott Cairns presents the hard teaching of how God desires that we grow to love others, even those who irritate and frustrate us. At the end of his poem, “Possible Answers to Prayer,” he wrote,

“Your angers, your zeal, your lipsmackingly

righteous indignation toward the many

whose habits and sympathies offend you—        

these must burn away before you’ll apprehend

how near I am, with what fervor I adore

precisely these, the several who rouse your passions”

(Cairns, par. 5-6).

These poems challenge our hearts. They are effective because they stir emotion in us, reminding us of the times we relented in speaking the truth out of fear of being disliked or when we grew angry with others. Christians need writers who challenge them to a deeper faith, urging them down the difficult path of discipleship.

Like Healing Balm for the Soul

As works that affect the heart, poems can also minister to hurting individuals like a healing balm for the soul. After my mother passed away when I was nineteen, I read a poetry collection from the Salesian Missions. Although I am not a Catholic, I found comfort in the simple, yet profound poems decorated with colorful illustrations. One of the poems that specifically spoke to me amid my grief was “The Other Side of the Mountain” by Gina Laurin.

She did not diminish the pain we experience but encouraged readers to: “[not] give up, you must keep going, / Though the tears fall down your face” (Laurin 104). I could relate to the heartbreak and sorrow she conveyed in the poem because losing my mother was the hardest thing I have ever experienced. Trying to make it through each day felt like I was climbing a mountain, and I still experience days where the pain is fresh and “the way is ever upward / And the mountain so very steep” (Laurin 105).

Reading these words continues to bring me a strange comfort by being able to give words to my feelings. It also reminds me that there is “the other side of the mountain,” a place where I will live forever with Jesus and where there is no death or sorrow (Laurin 105; Revelation 21:4).  

Other poets also deal with difficult emotions and questions. Christina Rossetti plumbed the depths of human feelings. She wrote about brokenness in “A Better Resurrection” and about a woman longing to know Christ in “Good Friday.” These works express doubts and questions but point back to the one who alone provides hope - Jesus. 

Closing Thoughts

    Concluding a survey of poetic works, I realize how varied Christian poets are, yet they affect people’s lives. Since poetry resonates with people’s hearts, it is a powerful medium for sharing the good news, urging deeper spiritual growth, and providing an outlet for healing in times of suffering or doubt.

Works Cited

Cairns, Scott. “Possible Answers to Prayer” from Philokalia: New and Selected Poems. Zoo, 2002. Poetry Foundation, 2022, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47673/possible-answers-to-prayer.

Carmichael, Amy. If. CLC, 1983.

Crosby, Fanny. “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It!” Hymnary, 2022, https://hymnary.org/text/redeemed_how_i_love_to_proclaim_it.

Laurin, Gina. “The Other Side of the Mountain.” Let There Be Light! From the Salesian Collection. Compiled and edited by Jennifer Grimaldi, Salesian Missions, 2002.

Newton, John. “Amazing Grace! (How Sweet the Sound).” Hymnary, 2022, https://hymnary.org/text/amazing_grace_how_sweet_the_sound.

Perry, Jackie Hill. “Jackie Hill Perry on Poetry and Rap.” The Gospel Coalition, 02 February 2018, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/can-uniquely-communicate-poetry-rap-cant-simple-prose/.

Rossetti, Christina. “A Better Resurrection.” Poetry Foundation, 2022, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44991/a-better-resurrection.

---. “Good Friday.” Scottish Poetry Library, 2022, https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/good-friday-0/.

The Bible. New International Version. Zondervan, 2011. 

Books for Further Reading

• A Christian’s Book of Haiku by Daphne Washington
• A Sacrifice of Praise: An Anthology of Christian Poetry in English from Caedmon to the Mid-Twentieth Century by James H. Trott
• Mountain Breezes by Amy Carmichael
• Sea Glass: New and Selected Poems by Luci Shaw
• Slow Pilgrim: The Collected Poems by Scott Cairns

Recommended Online Source

• “Writing Poetry: Where Do I Start?” by John Piper on Desiring God – Piper provides practical tips for beginning poets.

Suggested Poems for Further Reading

• Cairns, Scott. “Possible Answers to Prayers.” Poetry Foundation, 2022.
• Chesterton, G. K. “The Convert.” Poetry Foundation, 2022.
• Donne, John. “Holy Sonnets: Death, be not proud.” Poetry Foundation, 2022.
• Perry, Jackie Hill. “Spoken Word: Jackie Hill Perry – God’s Word.” YouTube, 2014.
• Rossetti, Christina. “A Better Resurrection.” Poetry Foundation, 2022.
• Shaw, Luci. “God’s Act in Acts.” Luci Shaw, 2022.

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Creative Writing as Ministry - 2. Fiction

 By. Sophia B.

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Despite the narrow focus of many bookstores, which restrict Christian writers to the “Christian Fiction” section of the store, there are many historical and contemporary writers who have successfully entered the various genres of fiction. C. S. Lewis wrote fantasy and science fiction works. Dorothy Sayers wrote detective mysteries. Karen Kingsbury writes romance and realistic fiction. The list continues with Andrew Peterson, J. R. R. Tolkien, Jane Austen, Flannery O’Connor, and George MacDonald, among others. However, the question still arises if writers can minister to others through their works?

Fiction and Theology

In an article for the Anglican Theological Review, a theologian details his thoughts about becoming a writer and pursuing an MFA in creative writing. Jake Andrews realized that he could reach more people with theology in fiction writing than in academics (716). Not only does fiction provoke Christians to deeper thought, but “it can challenge different readers in different ways, whether within the church or without it” (Andrews 725). Thus, he saw the potential for fiction writing to challenge Christians to a deeper understanding of God and to engage people beyond the church.

Stories with the Gospel Message and Biblical Themes

Many novels by Christians have accomplished Andrews’ vision for fiction. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis portrays the death and resurrection of Jesus through the character of Aslan, presenting readers with the gospel. Aslan takes Edmund’s place and is sacrificed on the stone table. Although the White Witch believes she has prevailed over the King of the Wood, Aslan is resurrected and returns in triumph to defeat the witch. Therefore, the theme of the gospel is woven throughout The Chronicles of Narnia because of Aslan’s role in the books.   

Other authors present biblical themes in their books. Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga displays the impressive and resonating theme of sacrifice (483). Janner Wingfeather’s willingness to protect his brother at any cost displays Christlike love and stays with readers long past the last page of The Warden and the Wolf King, the final book in the saga. Although I read this series as an adult, Janner’s sacrifice is just as moving to me as it would be to a child, who can understand the significance that Janner “never left his brother’s side. He loved him to the end” (Peterson 489).    

Biblical themes are also found in unexpected places, like in Jane Austen’s novels. As an author who is widely acclaimed for her literary contributions, many of her works display the biblical theme of love, which is built on “action, character, and honor” reflecting the principles of 1 Corinthians 13 (Woolsey, “Introduction”). One of Austen’s most impactful works for me is Sense and Sensibility. The protagonist, Elinor, consistently places the interests and well-being of others before herself, including her emotional sister Marianne. Even though Marianne becomes deathly sick after walking in the rain, pining for the villainous Willoughby, Elinor nurses her sister and stays with her at the risk of her own health (Witherington 7). Austen’s story of sisterly love shows us that true love is sacrificial and looks out for the interests of others (Witherington 7).

The examples of Janner and Elinor point to Christ-like love and compel Christians to give of themselves to others. Although the characters are fictional, their lives challenge us with the biblical truth: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends” (John 15:13). Readers not only gain a glimpse of Jesus’ sacrificial love in these stories but are also moved to show the same love to others.

Books and Apologetics

Fiction also lends itself to an apologetic-type purpose of probing challenging issues, like the problem of evil, suffering, and death. Not only do these works help Christians understand the complexity of ministering to others, but they can touch readers who are hurting or going through difficult circumstances. Contemporary author, Karen Kingsbury, tackled the issue of sex trafficking in her book A Distant Shore. She does not avoid this challenging and painful topic. Instead, Kingsbury wrote with the hope that a reader might say, “I read A Distant Shore. I couldn’t put it down. It changed my life. And now I know that I need Jesus and he’s got a plan for my life, no matter what I’ve been through” (Mwaura, par. 14). Her purpose was to impact people for Christ.

As Jake Andrews recognized in his article, “the lives of people are messy” (724). Fictional works can show the messiness of people’s lives while offering hope through biblical themes or a Christian viewpoint. More effective than an impersonal discussion of human suffering from an academic standpoint, fiction can engage readers with issues of everyday life and probe tough questions of suffering.

Closing Thoughts

Fictional works are my favorite types of books to read, especially fantasy and classic novels. Numerous respected and highly skilled authors have written from a Christian perspective with the purpose of pointing people to the Savior. As Steffany Woolsey stated in her introduction to A Jane Austen Devotional, which applies to all writers, “Jane did her readers a great service when she used the gift God gave her to touch the world with her writing and wisdom. May each of us do the same with our own talent.” We can influence people’s lives through stories and tales that highlight biblical themes and address genuine human concerns from a Christian viewpoint.             

Works Cited

Andrews, Jake. “Farewell to Theology?” Anglican Theological Review, vol. 96, no, 2014, pp. 715-725.

Austen, Jane. Sense and Sensibility. Modern Library, 2001.

Lewis, C. S. The Chronicles of Narnia. HarperCollins, 2004.

Mwaura, Maina. “Lessons from Karen Kingsbury on writing novels and living in faith.” Baptist News Global, 30 July 2021, https://baptistnews.com/article/lessons-from-karen-kingsbury-on-writing-novels-and-living-in-faith/#.Yl2KJYXMLIV. 

Peterson, Andrew. The Wingfeather Saga: The Warden and The Wolf King. WaterBrook, 2014.

The Bible. New International Version. Zondervan, 2011. 

Witherington, Laura S. “For the First Time in Forever: Sense and Sensibility and Frozen.” Jane Austen Journal On-Line vol. 40, no. 2, 2020. ProQuest. 

Woolsey, Steffany. A Jane Austen Devotional. Thomas Nelson, 2012.

Suggested Works for Further Reading

Fiction works:

• Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
• Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
• The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
• The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald
• The Prince Warriors by Priscilla Shirer
• The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson
• The Winter King by Christine Cohen
• Wraithwood by Alyssa Roat

Exploring Biblical Themes in Literature:

• A Jane Austen Devotional by Steffany Woolsey
• Finding God in the Lord of the Rings by Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware

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Creative Writing as Ministry - 1. Introduction

 By. Sophia B.

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As a Christian writer who has written nonfiction articles, fictional stories for devotionals, and poetry, I have often asked myself if my work impacts people’s lives. I majored in Christian ministry for my undergraduate and graduate degrees, which causes me to question how creative writing compares with common ministry fields. Maybe you have similar questions as a writer. Can we serve Christ with our writing, and will it make a difference for His Kingdom?

Writing and Ministry

I am not the first to articulate doubts about the writer’s place in serving Christ. Harold N. Englund, a minister, and writer for Christianity Today noted in 1962 that people are more likely to feel like servants of Christ if they are preaching or counseling rather than writing (par. 2). However, as he emphasized, writing is ministry since “[t]he Christian writer can reach many who will be reached by no other kind of minister” (Englund, par. 1). Believers who seek to glorify Christ through their writing are just as much a minister for Christ as any believer.

Life-Changing Words

Books and other forms of writing do make a difference in people’s lives. For example, C. S. Lewis’s conversion “began by acknowledging respect for those writers he considered truly great (people like George MacDonald, G. K. Chesterton, Samuel Johnson, Edmund Spenser, and John Milton) in spite of the fact that they were Christians” (Bell and Dawson 1). These writers not only influenced Lewis to trust in the gospel message but also shaped a man whose works have reached countless others. As Janice Elsheimer states in The Creative Call, “[o]ur gifts are not from God to us, but from God through us to the world” (Elsheimer 3). Writers can use their skills for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

A Look Ahead

If you are like me and have also struggled with understanding how writing is ministry, then this blog series is for you. In the next three posts, I will include examples of how the major forms of creative writing, including fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, are a form of ministry and can impact people for the sake of the gospel, discipleship, and for ministering to people who are suffering. 

Works Cited

Bell, James Stuart, and Anthony Palmer Dawson. From the Library of C. S. Lewis: Selections From Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey. Shaw, 2004.

Elsheimer, Janice. The Creative Call: An Artist’s Response to the Way of the Spirit. WaterBrook, 1984.

Englund, Harold N. “Writing Is a Ministry.” Christianity Today, vol. 6, no. 25, 1962, https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1962/september-28/writing-is-ministry.html.

The Bible. New International Version. Zondervan, 2011.

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