I’m often asked about the inspirations for my writing, and if I view writing as part of my ministry.
I’ll tackle the inspiration question first.
Essentially, four things inspire me to write:
Body Life
Those who keep up with this blog (and who know me personally) are aware that I have spent a great deal of time on the ground working with organic church communities.
So a large part of my ministry has been spent sitting in living rooms with God’s people in intimate settings, sharing Jesus Christ with them, observing the members share the riches of Christ together, making discoveries, serving, aiding, navigating through problems, learning, and receiving their portion of the Lord.
This is a major inspiration for my writing.
I don’t consider myself to be a theologian, scholar, philosopher, or poet. I’m much closer to a watchful biologist who observes and then writes about what he’s discovered about this organism called the ekklesia as she encounters and expresses her Lord in uncommon and creative ways.
In short, I cannot separate my writing from my work in the trenches with God’s people, for the two are deeply connected.
Music
Yes, I’m inspired by music. Especially creative bands and artists from the past who mastered their trades. For me, an album shares a lot in common with a book. The process of putting a book together is very much the same as well.
Great Writers
In my opinion, the greatest writers are never mentioned in mainstream Christian magazines and high-traffic Christian blogs (most aren’t living and the living are not known at all, virtually). Those who read this blog are aware of who I regard as the “greatest writers.” They are always an inspiration to me.
A Present Need
Oftentimes, the Lord will make me aware of a specific need in the body, and put a burden on my heart to address it. For me, this awareness comes in various ways. One often happens in the morning during my time with the Lord. The other way is in dialogue with another believer regarding a shared burden we have.
Last night, for instance, Milt Rodriguez and I shared a meal together (Thai if you were wondering 🙂 ). As we fellowshipped, the idea suddenly emerged of co-writing an article about the stages that takes place in a person’s life when they leave the institutional church.
Those stages are essentially the same for most of the people who take the plunge, but they all don’t end up in the same place. So a message was born at the dinner table – one that we feel will help many people to better navigate this unfamiliar terrain.
Leonard Sweet and I shared a burden about the supremacy of Christ, and a co-written project was born out of it.
Is Writing Part of My Ministry?
Yes indeed.
I’m often asked the question why I don’t charge for most of my work. So I’ll answer that here.
Most of my writings and spoken ministry are free of charge (to date, over 1,000 free articles on this blog, 3 free eBooks, and over 200 free podcast episodes are available to anyone). In addition, I’ve given away hundreds of thousands of copies of my books over the years. And presently, two of them are free of charge in digital form.
I’ve chosen to go with publishers for *some* of my written work only because far, far more people will hear about and read a published book than they will free eBooks or online articles.
Don’t ask me why that is, it just is (as professional athletes like to say, “It is what it is.”) Hence, going with a publisher effectively gets the message out to a much broader audience. Unfortunately, it costs money to publish a book; therefore, publishers must charge for them.
While I have no problem with authors who profit from their books personally (most Christian authors do) and neither do I have a problem with authors who demand honorariums when they speak (this is very different from clergy salaries, by the way), I myself have chosen not to make money a determining factor in my ministry.
Royalties from my books goes to help the poor – a key ministry of mine – and to ministry expenses.
I haven’t received a penny from most of the places I’ve spoken in, including large conferences. And when I work with a church, I do not charge a nickel. I’ve chosen the way of Paul of Tarsus in this regard (see 1 Cor. 9).
Anyways: that’s my answer to the question in a nutshell.
Confusion Over Organic Church Abounds
Am so blessed and encouraged by the words and posts I have read here, my desire to write as part of my ministry led me to your site. Thanks Frank. I’ve received the impetus to write and publish his truths. God bless you richly.
Wonderful site. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to some buddies and also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you for your sweat!
I realize this was written in May of 2010 but considering I just stumbled upon it, the material is still relevant. As a fellow blogger, in previous years I found it very difficult to write much of anything because I felt I didn’t have much to say… Which is quite the contrary to recent events. All I know is the Lord has given me words I have never had before. He often puts subjects on my heart and it hasn’t been until recently (which took encouragement and some prophetic words) that I have actually been writing them down. Many subjects come up because a yearning in my heart heats up when I hear others who have no idea the fullness that is in Christ.
Writing is often the first step for me in forming the right encouragement for my fellow believers. But there is no doubt that something is destined to come out of my ‘writings’, I just don’t know what it will be yet! Thank you for fueling my passion to have a rapidly beating heart for the body of Christ. Your writings have been priceless in my pursuit of Jesus.
Wow! I salute you, brother! Praise God for your heart and for choosing not to make money a factor in your ministry.
About 20 years back I was blessed with the teaching of Dr Larry Lea on the Lords prayer taking well over 2 hours to go thru what takes 20 seconds to recite. I was having genuine spiritual experiences and passed this teaching on to others who were equally blessed.
Just recently I was asked to speak at a small house gathering circa 18 persons. I awoke at 3am. and started to think of what I might say the following evening, and gems, even revelation just tumbled into my mind. It was a case of whoa, whoa, Holy Spirit, I can’t keep up with you. Then I felt that He was saying I want to write a book through you on “Praying the Lords Prayer in the Spirit.
I’m 76 years young and I’ve never done anything like this before so your writing methods (tips) that I have been reading recently has given me something to work towards. So thank you.
I think one of the things that inspires me to write is the changed life I have experienced since coming to know Jesus. The love, hope, purpose, peace, acceptance and meaning I have received makes me want to share that with others.
Thanks for your blog and sharing your ideas Frank.
Frank, I was going to be sending you a message to find out if there are any resources to help someone who is in the wilderness. I’ve read your books and read the section on the wilderness. So I was pleased to see your comment about an article you and Milt wrote about it. However, not only would it be good to understand how and what the wilderness is for, but there is a lot of hurt, pain, wounds, anger, resentment, basically all the stages of grief one must go through when they come to the realization they’ve been hoodwinked by what is termed “church” and there can be quite a bit of anger at God for it too. It would be helpful if there were resources out there to help someone navigate through the wilderness, and not just know what it is. I myself am there right now, and have been for quite sometime, angry at God, feeling like I can’t pick up the bible (that I once loved so fervently) to read it, feel like I can’t pray (which I used to spend hours upon hours doing) because I turned the bible and church and prayer into my God. I feel lost and not sure what to do with that anger and resentment. Please point me to the article you mention above that you and Milt wrote about the stages one goes through in the wildnerness? And God bless you for doing what is unpopular, but true to authentic biblical teaching. Thank you.
Kelli
Kelli. There’s an entire chapter on the wilderness experience and the value of it as well as what to do about it in FROM ETERNITY TO HERE. Also, there are very practical instructions on how to get out of the wilderness in FINDING ORGANIC CHURCH. http://www.ReimaginingChurch.org
What Milt and I will be writing about is not about the wilderness (since that’s already been covered above), but rather, *the process* that people go through when they leave the institutional church. One of them is that they begin reading everything they can get their hands on about “house church” on the internet. The result: it most often leaves people with very confused views on what the church is because the messages out there are so drastically different. We will be discussing things like that as well as the other things that happen to such people, usually in stages as we have observed . . .
I used to work for a Christian magazine in the UK as a managing editor, where I also attended bible college ~ and writing on my blog for the last three years. And I find a lot of times that God will tell me what to write about, even giving me quotes before I have started! But life truly does imitate art and vice versa. A lot of inspiration for what I am writing has come from real life, and relationships, from some of the things I learned while at bible college, and mostly from things I have encountered in my own walk with God. So I guess the short version is that life inspires me with it’s hardships, and it’s joys and through the ability to see His hand at work in all of those places. As Miss Arden once said, ‘Art is the sharing of one’s opinion.’
Dear Rebekah,
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. To give is definitely much better than receiving.
We are about to launch out into the deep with my research results here in Newcastle Australia. I have to say that I am not a lime light fan and that I am keenly aware of the damage that some public ministries have done to our Lord.
Never the less, I am also keenly aware that Christians every where are desperate for a closer relationship with our Lord. And that the scriptural skill, that enables us to hear Him, needs to be taught and shared around.
Thanks again,
David.
For me blogging is a way to share the Gospel and influence non-believers. I blog almost daily for The Tennessean, Nashville’s newspaper. Here is a link:
I just love to write about what God tells me. I know it may seem lame and too simple but Jesus IS my inspiration
My passion to write was inspired by Smith Wigglesworth, as strange as that sounds. After an amazing 10 year journey to write the book I am now finding that it is going to dove tail into the organic side of the house church movement. The timing certainly wasnt from my making. I began my book research in 1994 and discovered one of Frank’s books in 2003. I finally published last year 2009. But the upshot is that part of my work finally uncovered the exact scriptural understanding on how to hear the Spirit voice of God – which I believe is going to prove very helpful for those who want to pursue the reality of our Lord. I am torn between wanting to share these findings with my brothers and sisters in christ and appearing to be promoting my own interests.
Any suggestions?
I write because I believe in the power of story; the power to evoke emotion, the power to challenge mindsets and the power, perhaps most importantly, to make people care.
Whether my own writing does that or not, I can’t say, but the best stories I have ever read draw me in and have me wishing there was more, long after the last page is turned. I want to meet the characters. I want to share their lives. I want to walk alongside them in their triumphs and their pain.
So I write because if I can make a reader feel even a part of what I do when I read a great story, then it has been a worthwhile pursuit.
My inspiration is the art of storytelling itself and the great storytellers I have had the privilege of reading. Those who have shared a part of themselves for the benefit of many, leaving us meagre writers better off for their talent and their masterful works of art.
Frank,
I am looking forward to reading the article about the stages one passes through after leaving the institutional church. It will probably give me some language for my experiences and some fresh insights. Since I left a year and a half ago, I feel like I’m coming out from under a cloud because I am becoming less driven to perform up to the standards that I learned to impose on myself. I also think that I relate more easily to people outside of Christian culture, and I am less sectarian in my thinking about the Body of Christ. I still occasionally am tempted to attribute any financial hardship or setback to my failure to tithe, so I think I’m still detoxing a bit. 🙂
I enjoy writing and sharing what God’s been talking to me about. That’s my inspiration, usually–just what God’s been saying to me. I think He puts the ideas into my heart and then I kind of translate them into my own words–so while it’s what He’s saying (I hope), it still comes out in my writing style. Anyway, that’s my reason and my inspiration–Jesus.
I am not a writer, I never was good at in school, perhaps why I limit myself in this area. I have learned over the years about how to write better and so make an attempt. I do not write for pleasure as I actually would prefer to draw than to write. I do have a desire to know Jesus better. I tried journaling a few years ago after I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, to process what I was learning and reading, but it didn’t quite stick. Seemed writing was too slow for me to really appreciate the discipline.
With the advent of blogging though I have found that it helps me not only to process what I am reading and learning from the Lord through His word and His body, but it enables me to go back and edit and pray and edit some more. The creativity of it is very helpful for me. I have always felt the desire to write about what I learn from all of God’s Word.
Last summer after having read Pagan Christianity and learned about organic church, getting on facebook, and then seeing what blogging was like by others, I sensed God leading me to write my journey into organic church life as I looked at the Scripture from that perspective. So I took the plunge! It is really a personal journal with the Lord, my blogging that is, so it is written in that light, but if others get something from it then praise the Lord!
Writing is in my blood too. It’s just what God has given me to do. When I’m writing regularly, I’m a better person, a better wife, a better mom. I have more patience, feel less stressed. When I haven’t written in a while, I get antsy inside.
My inspiration for writing? The space between. There’s this space between what we percieve and what is. What we want there to be and what God Is. Sometimes it’s a chasm and other times it’s a different pair of glasses.
Frank,
Love reading as much of your stuff as possible. Thanks Brother
I am a relatively new blogger. In the last few years I have written a lot of research papers and critiques for school. While still in school, and enjoy it, I am finding that telling my story – a story of grace in the midst of pain – has given me renewed energy and purpose.
Life inspires me. Jesus and His grace inspires me. We are all part of a mosaic of grace, created by the Creator. My tile is my story.
I could have written this post. Thanks for articulating it so well. As I have been prone to say, I wrote because I have to – or as Isaac Asimov once said, writing is like breathing.
Because I am an infovore, I need to digest and share what info I’ve consumed.
I come from a long line of writers (6 generations that I know of), so I guess I could say that it is in my blood. I write because I must. I love to write and it brings me life. That being said, there are other inspirations, such as:
-To foster & participate in generative community
-To learn from people who are different than myself
-To connect with new ideas, people, communities, etc.
Peace,
Jamie
I recently authored my first book, BIG GOD. What inspires me is seeing Christ become people’s ultimate treasure. We have such a proclivity in American Christianity to shove Jesus to the periphery and make church about everything but Him. Let’s change that.
I also love seeing Him prove Himself amazing and faithful through very ordinary and quite messed up people. I Cor 1:27!!!
I am inspired by pain in this life and perfection in the next, so I write.
Frank, indeed it is true. Some of the best writers out there now and the dead ones are hardly known. They leave some wonderful treasures for us to discover.
As for your writings, I’m wondering if you have been inspired as of late to pray and write about the recent volitile subject that came up in one of your postings. I imagine it would be scary territory for you to attach your name with the subject. But since you’re a voice out here in the wilderness to those of us who have been “called out,” I think it would be most helpful. If you’d like to speak with me directly first, you have my email.
God Bless you brother and thank you for your continued commitment to the body of Christ.
sandy
Sandyo. No, I have no burden to write on that particular subject. I agree with N.T. Wright and David Fitch on the matter and point to their writings on it when asked. They’ve done a much better job on it than I ever can. The Lord has called me to write on certain specific matters, and (to my mind) every writer is wise to stick with what God has called them to speak about and not go “beyond their measure,” to quote Paul.
Wondering where and when i can read about this: the sooner the better 🙂 :
As we fellowshipped, the idea suddenly emerged of co-writing an article about the stages that takes place in a person’s life when they leave the institutional church. Those stages are essentially the same for most of the people who take the plunge, but they all don’t end up in the same place. So an article was born at the dinner table – one that we feel will help many people to better navigate this unfamiliar terrain.
Kristin. Keep up with this blog and subscribe to our eNewsletter, and you’ll hear about it as soon as we publish it online.
When I do write it is often about real life and how Jesus has invaded it to reveal Himself in yet another way. Sometimes I miss it altogether, other times, I get it. And still at other times it is simple threads of thought being trying to be sorted out.
But it has been good to connect with others in the sphere and be stretched by what is shared and also to realize I’m not the only one with some of these thoughts.
Thanks, Frank.
My first thought to answer this question; I MUST write. I write what is considered “poetry.” Kind of ironic, before I began writing I had never cared for poetry at all. Some of my writings tell real Life stories of brothers and sisters in Christ. Our Christ Jesus is always the focal point of each writing, along with His body. Whether I write or not, it just keeps on coming, so I probably should write it down and share it with whomever would care to read it.
Yes Frank, I agree with you concerning not accepting any self gain in the writing I’m given. I plan to publish also, if I can come up with the publishing costs. All publishing funds (gains) belong to Him and that “is what it is” too. 🙂
If I must answer with a clear and definite inspiration, I can only say, my inspiration is Love. The LOVE, who is the greatest love ever known-Christ! What greater inspiration exists?
really appreciate the honesty and the candidness in your blog Frank! I always learn something!
One unknown to another unknown … but all known by the only One whose opinion matters.
Great post, great question.
I’ve been blogging for about 5 years. My inspirations for writing/blogging ideas shift according to what’s capturing my attention. But for the most part, I am inspired by reading other people’s blogs (like yours), conversations with creative thinkers, and reflective questions that form in my pretty head when on a cleaning gig {I am a cleaning woman by trade which means I have plenty of think time every week}.
That’s the how of it.
The why of it, why I’m inspired to write, is to become rich and famous and expand my influence beyond my mop bucket…psyche!!!! Ok, joking aside, the why for me of writing is to figure out what I think, and I’m a bit of an exhibitionist so I often like to do this with an audience (readership).
My recent inspiration has been Questions. Asking questions, What If questions about traditional Christian ideas and practices. Open ended questions. It provokes my imagination, yet also rattles my religious bones. Writing, foremost, is for me to express outloud what’s simmering within. I am, after all, my first reader.
This is a great article. In addition to some of the things mentioned above, one of the major areas of inspiration for writing in my life comes from conflict. God often uses spiritual and relational conflict to open my eyes to a truth that I had not previously known that needs to be uncovered and talked about. This has been very beneficial for me.
While I have bouts of writing, I don’t have enough to warrant a blog. But the Lord will give me prophetic utterances that I put down to paper (or down to blog??)
For the first time, the Lord has given me enough to work on a book that I’ll give away. But in general, the prophetic books and music give me inspiration.
I enjoy pulling together threads of thought, making simpler and clearer what on the surface seems complex and unrelated. Most exciting is when the light bulb of understanding comes on, and the understanding makes a real difference in everyday life, whether for me individually or for a broader community. I enjoy finding creative ways to reconcile otherwise opposing forces or concepts, by appealing to fundamentals, to create peace. It’s like a creative game, with real consequences, but the competitive advantage always lies with Truth.
Then I enjoy sharing that understanding, which includes writing it down, and watching the same light bulb come on for others. It’s like sharing the joy of discovery and victory.
I think empathy in relationships is an inspiration for me.
I empathize with the Lord, then write what Holy Spirit inspires. Oh forgot the part where, many times, I experience something parabolically–which makes the writing personal and most often–testimonial.
I empathize with the Body of Christ in friendships,partnerships, and corporately. Then, again, experience the thing—and write.
Thanks for asking!
What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my right in the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:18) This is a lost art in most Christian circles. So I salute you Frank for your stand – very wise!
I get my inspiration mostly from questions that I ask the Lord. These questions are quite often answered in embryo in fellowship with believers or when I least expect it, in meditating upon the Lord.
Most of my inspiriration comes from my thoughts throughout the week. I’ll have something I’m pondering on for days the I write about it. But sometimes I just sit down in front of a blank computer screen and just start typing away. That’s my favorite way of writing. Nothing like a nice, solid wind of inspiration and energy 🙂
I’m glad to hear about your dinner conversation with Milt Rodriguez. I look forward to hear both of your thoughts on the subject of life after the institutional church.
Frank,
While getting financial support to carry on such a work is absolutely normal, many seem to use that as an excuse to make a living out of preaching. I really appreciate your working and not expecting money in return. This aspect of Christian work needs to be redeemed especially in our generation totally and completely governed by the mighty dollar. May your tribe increase!
I consider myself a writer although my Christian blog is still growing.
I get inspired to write when I hear something…really hear something…for the first time. Sometimes it’s music, or sometimes it’s in a book or sometimes it just stems from a conversation.
I will never forget the first time I really “heard” Audrey Assad’s song, Winter Snow (about the birth of Jesus). The lyric says, “But He came like a winter snow. Quiet, soft and slow. Falling from the sky in the night to the Earth below.”
Really? Jesus? The Son of God? He did not enter the Earth with fanfare and trumpets sounding? He came quietly that night. And it makes me think that should be my approach too. Shoving Jesus down the throat of the world might not be the best way to win souls. However, quietly, softly and slowly loving someone JUST may be the ticket.
Things like THAT inspire me to write. When I take off my human-glasses and put on my God-glasses and I really SEE…