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Print The second annual Pentecostal Writers Institute (PWI) convened on October 13-16, 2004 at World Evangelism Center in St. Louis to hone the skills of Apostolic writers, editors, designers, and publishers. Novice as well as seasoned craftsmen gathered from across the globe (there was at least one foreign missionary in attendance) to learn, share, network and laugh. Apparent from the start was the thorough preparation and organizing by Word Aflame Publications’ staff for the three days of General Sessions, Extended Workshops and Mini Workshops (though they were anything but mini). Your Words Can Impact
the World “Your words can impact the world,” stated Sis. Haney. “The world is in turmoil, and we have the answer.” Bro. Haney petitioned attendees to reach beyond the Apostolic four walls to the universal Christian community and the unchurched world to bring forth the truth of the Oneness of God in Jesus Christ and His saving grace. The attendees were told of the need to shatter Satan’s empire by the written word. He further reminded that people read in airports, doctors’ offices, on buses, and when they have a few spare moments of time. People read - so why shouldn’t they read Apostolic literature? “Apostolics are destined to write. What if Paul had never written?” asked Sister Haney. Practical Advice, Hilarious Adventures General Sessions gave encouragement, instruction, and direction to attendees. Bro. David Bernard and Sis. LaJoyce Martin, both authors and speakers, shared their expertise and experience in the General Sessions. In “Writing to Reach,” Martin gave examples of the mechanics of writing to capture the attention of the reading audience to “Read on, reader!” Keeping the writing simple and keeping it positive brings readers back to the story, she noted. Admonishing writers to respect the time, finances, and intellect of their readers, she wove practical writing advice with hilarious anecdotes in her addresses. Bernard, pastor, author and President of the Urshan Graduate School of Theology, addressed the audience on “Reaching for Legal Integrity” and “Reaching for Biblical Integrity,” stressing the honor and responsibility of Christian writers. As God-called and God-inspired, it is the obligation of each writer to ensure accuracy, authenticity and authority in what (s)he writes. “God chose writing as a supreme medium,” he proclaimed. “It is an awesome task, this business of writing. Long hours, hard work, day dreams and nightmares, rejections and revisions all pay off when a soul is touched, a heart is healed, or the light of the Gospel is made clear to a mind once dark.” Both speakers shared accounts of how their published works reached unintended audiences around the world to accomplish miraculous conversions and healings. A Semester of Information in an Hour In addition to three general sessions each day, the PWI format offered four topics for Extended Workshops and 12 topics for smaller jam-packed workshops. Now, that’s a lot of information! Writers with varying interests, from poetry to novel writing, biographies to newspaper articles, songwriting to dramas and more, gathered to absorb as much knowledge as possible. Editors, designers, and publishers sought to hone their skills on meeting deadlines and producing a document that is both sparkling and interesting. With such a wide variety of choices, those attending could choose to focus on a major need or attend a general array of workshops to glean a broader outlook of writing or publishing opportunities. Interested in reading the topics covered? Okay, here goes: ■ Extended Workshops covered: Writing Fiction, Writing Nonfiction, Polishing Your Manuscript, and Designing Beyond the Basics. ■ Shorter workshop topics included (take a deep breath) biographies, articles, e-publications (hooray for Kent d Curry), newsletters and bulletins, editing lessons and sermons for publication, making ideas flow, researching ideas, periodical publications, songs, dramas, humor, and illustrations and working with an editor (phew!). A complete, yet dizzying array of subject matter was served up each day. The Blast of the Pen I would like to make special mention of the Headquarters staff who consistently went out of their way to help those enrolled feel comfortable and at home. Needs were met once they were known. The Word Aflame Bookstore offered specials on resources and materials. Chauffeured vans provided rides to and from lodging, eating establishments, shopping, and the airport. PWI was an energizing and unifying time of networking and learning. Old friendships were renewed. Strangers became new friends. I look forward to the next PWI (the decision whether it will continue in 2005 or 2006 hasn’t been made yet) and plan to bring at least one new writer along.
ninetyandnine.com © 2004, Julie Carter --------- Julie Carter is married and lives in Milton, Vermont with her talented musician husband. She has three adult sons and four grandchildren. She works as a nurse in a hospital endoscopy unit, where she is able to minister daily to people from the inside out! |
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