Why Should I Write?

WHY SHOULD I WRITE?
A Question for All Christians

All Christians are called to witness and writing is one way to do that. No matter your skill level, find out why writing matters to Jesus and to you…

WHY SHOULD I WRITE?

My name is Shannon Muir, and I founded Creative Words to Spread the Word. Since I first formed this ministry, I’ve been approached by people. Some are interested in active ministry involvement to explore their creative gift, others to simply encourage me as “cheering others on” is one of their spiritual gifts. I’ve also met with some people who come to me who admit that they “could never write, but wish they could” or have tried and become frustrated because they were not good at it.

Being “creative” is not just a matter of telling short stories or poetry. You can be “creative” in your own written testimony, simply in the words you choose to express it. That word choice, combined with your unique spiritual experience, is part of what makes it your personal testimony versus just a generic facts sheet. This also applies to how you choose to express items for the monthly church newsletter, the bulletin, or features on the church Web site.

Also, “writing” is not just confined to the written word in its final form. Outlines for documentaries about spiritual experiences, or even scripts for stage drama or videorecording have to be written.

Writers do not have to always do something that is publicly shared. Some people have more of a gift for writing that becomes public expression. Others can use it simply as a tool to further their personal Christian walk through spiritual journaling. So take a second look at what you do every day… you may already be writing for Christ and not know it!

QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES TO CHALLENGE YOU:

1) Have you had an experience that strengthened you as a Christian, either for the good or the bad? Take some quiet time and write about it.

2) Do you have a favorite psalm or proverb? If a non-Christian were to read this and say “I don’t understand what this means,” how would you explain it to them and what it means to you personally? Now try writing those same words down.

3) Consider trying to retell a favorite bible story from another character’s point of view based on the scriptural facts you know.

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CREATIVE WORDS TO SPREAD THE WORD

Coordinator: Shannon Muir
email: creativewordstospreadtheword@gmail.com

BROCHURE #1
Last revised: December 2007

Brochure text by
Shannon Muir
Original Artwork on Printed Version by
Kevin Paul Shaw Broden

[The above is a modified Internet transcription of the text of a print brochure originally released by Creative The Words to Spread the Word. This transcription released by Creative Words to Spread the Word. All rights reserved.]

Brochure text soon to be available online...

There'd already been plans to start putting the text of the older study brochures online as only so much room existed in the racks in the narthex of Wilshire Avenue Community Church.

As of this past weekend, the narthex has been remodeled and the old rack that Creative Words to Spread the Word took advantage of for self-study brochures is gone. It is not determined at this time if an alternate solution for displaying the printed brochures in the new setup will be found. It may very well be that all past brochures and future self study materials may appear on this blog.

Also, a dedicated email for this ministry has been established. Direct contact should be written to creativewordstospreadtheword (at) gmail.com if responding in this blog is not appropriate. Thank you.

Everyone can use words...

God created words for everyone to use. I won't argue that some have been given more of a gift with their use of words. Having said that, I also firmly believe that with dedicated effort it is possible for people to become better at their use of words - both in the reading and writing of them - and that is part of what this ministry is all about. I refuse to see words as being meant for a few because God gave them to communicate to everyone with. There have just been points in history where the skill of learning how to use words was denied to all but a select group, something with which I personally do not agree.

People can use words in different ways, just like any other tool. Also, like any other tool, they can be misused. That ties back into the prior blog post thought about creative words not being deceptive words. Each of us must be responsible with what is granted at our disposal, and even if we express the meaning of the Word of the Lord in our own way to better show how it is relevant to our own lives, first and foremost we must stay true to the heart of the Word.

"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar." - Proverbs 30:5-6 (NIV)

Creative Words are not Deceptive Words

God gave us words. In theory, he could have given us only pictograms and oral history. But he gave us the gift to be able to write things down, and in fact at times called people to write things down. He also gave us many ways to describe things, multiple words that can describe things in succinct ways. For example, today a woman at our church performed a song in Spanish and the English translation was provided on the wall. Howver, there was one word she admitted the English language had no exact equivalent for. The best she could do was to substitute with the word caresses due to a need for brevity on the screen, but the songwriter chose a specific word that the Spanish language has for a parent cupping a child's face in his or her hands and holding it upwards for a loving gaze. How wonderful that language can be so embracing. How wonderful to have language to express our love for Christ in written testimony, story, poetry, song lyrics, and more.

Words can also be arranged in various ways to express the same idea, but again how it is expressed can produce a completely different effect. The words, phrases, and sentences each of us choose reflects our own personal walk wih Christ and what makes our Christian voice unique.

However, to be true to the Lord, creative cannot be synonymous with deceptive. While we are free to be creative by expression, Christ does not encourage us to mislead in an way. Where the ability to be creative in our expression is a gift, to use it to twist the truth is not biblical.

"Therefore each of us must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." - Ephesians 4:25 (NIV)

New Self-Study Pamphlets Available

The latest self-study pamphlets for CREATIVE WORDS TO SPREAD THE WORD are now in the narthex area at Wilshire Avenue Community Church.

JOURNALING FOR CHRIST: Compares a prayer diary to a spiritual journal and the benefits of using a spiritual journal in the walk with Christ.

TESTIMONY IN WORDS: Whether it's one on one experience, part of a local ministry, or outreach mission - the impact of documenting Christian experiences for others can have impact.

These or any of the past pamphlets can also be directly requested and sent as a Word file.

Blessed writing!

Shannon

Shannon Muir guest speaker at Fall Meeting

I (Shannon Muir, coordinator) will be speaking about my experiences publishing my first book, GARDNER'S GUIDE TO WRITING AND PRODUCING ANIMATION, as the main event of the Fall all-writers meeting for Creative Words to Spread the Word.
The meeting is October 7th at 3PM at Wilshire Avenue Community Church
in Fullerton, Room 301. With me will be Kevin Paul Shaw Broden, who
did all interior art for the book. Though a secular book, there's a
lot to be said for being a Christian in the secular publishing world
and that's what we'll explore. Also to be discussed are 2008 goals
for writing ministry mission! Please join us.

Welcome to Creative Words to Spread the Word!

My name is Shannon Muir, and I coordinate Creative Words to Spread the Word at Wilshire Avenue Community Church. The mission of our ministry is to use the gift of words to spread Christ's message to people who may not initially be reached by the ultimate Word of the Bible. It is certainly not our mission to supplant that text as the authority, but rather to be guided by it.

This blog will feature information about the group itself, writing advice, and more. Come with us on the journey and see where it evolves.