The Starting Line

The Starting Line
by Glenn White

Where to Start

Do you have a passion for but don’t where to start? Try your church. Meet with your pastor, ask if you could write a synopsis of his weekly sermon for publication in the church bulletin for the following Sunday. According to recent statistics, most churchgoers only attend 3 weekend worship services a month. This means people occasionally miss a service and the pastor’s message. A weekly review of the previous week’s message is a wonderful ministry for pastors and a great writing opportunity for you. Talk with your pastor and if he or she agrees then just go for it! It’s a great way to start as a Christian writer. Here are a few tips to start you.

Writing Tips

· Be there

This may seem obvious but plan on attending the weekend worship service and take a lot of notes. Listen for the main points and build your article around them. Hint: Most sermons consist of three major points.

· Be accurate

Writing a sermon synopsis is not a creative writing exercise, it’s more like news reporting. So use the speaker’s words and not your own. Write what was said and not what you think was said. I made this mistake and it created a minor tension between my writing and the speaker.

· Be brief

Church bulletin space is limited so keep your article short and sweet. Articles less than hundred words is ideal. It’s a challenge but you can do it!

· Be early

Submit your article as quick as you can to the person in charge of the bulletin. After Tuesday, church bulletin space evaporates fast. With most bulletins, it’s first come, first served.

These are the basic tips that will help you. Remember, the speaker always has the last word in what is published.

What’s in it for You?

Oh, I know, Christians aren’t supposed to ask this kind of question. Just in case you’re wondering, though, here are a few benefits.

· You receive money, fame, and fortune

Not! Sorry, you probably won’t receive pay, bylines, or recognition. You are receiving, however, valuable experience as a writer. This is priceless!

· Your passion for writing is visible

You will become known as someone who writes and writes better than most people. This opens doors of opportunity that you never thought were possible.

· You discover deep fulfillment

When you use your gift for writing to serve God and people you feel fulfilled. Don’t just take my word for it. Start writing to serve others and see what happens. The best part about writing is when you discover deep fulfillment.

Please feel free to print this article in its entirety and submit it to your pastor as part of your proposal to write a weekly sermon synopsis.