Writing as Calling/Ministry: My Two Cents

I read Lee Ann’s and Marjorie’s posts concerning the issue of writing as a calling or with interest. So, instead of leaving long drawn out comments to their posts, I decided to add my thoughts to the mix here.

Perceived options
I wonder if sometimes we limit ourselves due to perceived options. I will resist the temptation to jump on my soapbox to rant about how ministry is still often seen through a very narrow lens because lately I’ve seen a heartening shift showing that the narrow scope has broadened. However, although I think it’s safe to say that we (I suppose I’m speaking mainly of my generation) consider ministry as including much more than preaching and singing, it still has to have somewhat of an “active” component to be considered legit. Unfortunately, although I would say that writing is active, revolutionary, even, I fear that the general consensus is that writing is passive. That it’s something people do in their free time. That it’s a creative extra. Perhaps that perception is a part of what feeds the laziness Lee Ann mentions, or the uncertainty over knowing whether one is called that Marjorie touches on. How can something be pursued seriously if it isn’t even seriously considered an option?

Means or end?
In fact, I didn’t seriously consider writing as a calling until I read these recent posts. I considered offering a forum where people could share ideas, which would include writing, a ministry. I realized that writing may be necessary to achieve an overarching ministry goal. I agreed with the importance of Apostolics achieving excellence in writing. But I suppose I viewed writing as a tool to achieve an end rather than an actual end in and of itself as far as ministry was concerned. For example, Paul wrote a sizeable chunk of the New Testament. He certainly fulfilled his calling to preach “Christ and him crucified,” but did Paul consider his writing to the various churches and individuals his ministry or simply as a tool to achieve his overarching goal?

Writing is not passive
After having considered things a little, I would say that writing is indeed more than a tool. Writing may be a lonely, rare, and extremely behind-the-scenes calling, but the very definition of “calling” implies exclusivity in some fashion. And I completely agree with Marjorie about the importance of commitment to education and bettering oneself in whatever skills that calling requires. I don’t claim to be called to write, but I have experienced the rewarding feeling that comes when my writing has struck a resonant chord in a reader. Or when someone has experienced a positive change from reading something that I penned. Though it may seem so at first glance, writing is not passive. It becomes active when words interact with, affect, and change others.