Thanks, Scot, for continuing to host this discussion. I was out of town last week, so I didn't get the chance to weigh on last week's question. Per this week's topic, I think there's a big difference between being a writer and a published author. The former doesn't always lead to--nor does it require--the latter. I'm one of those pastors who has an itch or a burn to write. For me, it's a way of thinking. I suspect it's a gift that help compensates for my other weaknesses. To paraphrase something Eugene said in another context, "Whenever I get bested in personal conversation, I pick up my weapon of choice ... my pen ... and I write."
I have found ways to use writing in pastoral ministry. One of the most unconsciously competent things I've ever done was to write a weekly letter to our church family. I'm certainly not the only pastor to do something like this. But I'm always surprised at the traction it gets. Some people tell me that it has discipled them; others admit they only read the last paragraph where I share a humorous story about something my grandkids have done or said.
Writing for publication is a different animal. There is a level of sacrifice for both pastors who feel the urge to do so. I've been diligent about writing on my "own time"--evenings, early mornings, my day off, or sabbatical. Even though I could argue that writing is an extension of my ministry, I'm careful not to let it encroach on my pastoral role. I've done so with the blessing of my wife, and I do it when it doesn't interfere with our time together. It's a lot easier than when our kids were younger.
I have a lot more I could say about writing and pastoral ministry, but I have a weekly letter to write to our church family!
Not a troll… just a guy asking a genuine question. Do you have analytical data on the click/open percentages of your weekly letters? If so, is it above or below 50%?
That's a great question! I don't have analytical data, just anecdotes (mostly from personal conversations). I know that not everyone reads them, but I'm always surprised at how many do. And it spans the generations. It would seem that the 50+ crowd would be more likely to read it, but I get comments from those in their 20s and 30s too.
That’s great! Hope you don’t mind me giving you a little advise… I’m pretty good at this stuff. Sometimes we need to rethink our methods of communication to reach a larger percentage of our intended audience. Writing a letter is great, but use something like mail chimp, constant contact or some other marketing based platform so you can see who is opening what. Also, post each point in its own Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (if you have the time, TikTok as well) post. It doesn’t have to be flashy, just post the info you want to put out in the shortest manner possible. Keep posting slightly different posts to those platforms leading up to each event. Create events on Facebook and invite the sauce out of people who you genuinely think would want to attend.. not just your whole friends list. 😅 you can always get an older teen in your church to do the posting, just make sure you approve the post and that you trust the person to have access to those accounts. Sorry if I’m sounding too cocky… this is just what I know works and I truly hope you can use this information. 😍🥰
Thanks, Joshua, for the advice. I appreciate it. We use most of these platforms for other things, so I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to incorporate that with the weekly letter.
My two favorite lines in this section were from his journals. "My anchor to my soul and my God is in this pen." "I feel that to keep my sanity - my spiritual sanity - I must simply walk away from the demands and duties and create."
I needed to read this… the troubling part for me is finding tranquility… if I’m alone, in the middle of nowhere and have my camera… I can easily find tranquility. If I’m alone, in my office… I find distractions. If I’m also in a cabin overlooking a lake or mountains, I can write… but for about 2 hours max and I’m done for the day once my tummy starts to grumble.
Selfish question time.. could well thought out video content be a more modern form of writing? I seem to be better at script writing for videos than writing a thesis or any other kind of paper writing.
I agree with your comment about the impact that can be made in the classroom. It is truly the art of the relationship, as it was for Eugene and Evelyn in their pastorate.
Scot, You certainly seem to have your hand on the rope of this book — interpreting the tension you feel in the line. I love you took on this campfire sessions.
Let me begin with an apology: my comment has nothing to do with Peterson as a writer.
I’m fairly confident that the first thing I knew about Eugene Peterson was that he had authored The Message. The second thing I knew of him came via a comment a college professor made, sometime around 2003, about Peterson’s thoughts regarding the size of a congregation, and the ability of a pastor to pastor effectively.
As I’ve read the book, I've wondered what Peterson thought of “associate ministry.” Collier writes on page 203 that “…there’d been only a few part-time assistants at Christ Our King. For several years, Eugene had prayed for an associate pastor to lead the youth and deacon ministries.” The relationship the Petersons had with Tracie Bullis seemed to be a match made in Heaven. That's about all there is on Peterson's thoughts of associate ministry.
Is “associate ministry” a viable life-long vocational option? I serve in the Church of the Nazarene, and I know many senior pastors were, at one time, an associate (I’m not sure what names other denominations use). Can one be a life-long youth pastor, even in the face of many asking, “when will you be a real pastor?”
Yes, David, one can be a life-long youth pastor. I worked with one for 25 years, and he’s still at it, years after I retired. And a great one - loved by his young people and the congregation. Energetic, original, and deeply spiritual.
Hi David, I’ve known many good associates who served for years in one capacity or another. Some were far better pastors than the lead guy they served alongside. I’ve known a handful who have spent 20+years in student ministry. Some eventually transitioned to denominational/coaching roles connected to student ministry. Others moved to another form of associate role.
Hi Scot - we have just finished listening to the audio-book of this as we have been on holidays travelling in Tasmania. I normally don't do audio-bks, but I was glad for this one as Danelle and I enjoyed the journey together. I loved that Collier sought to tell a true story rather than a 'nice' one. I appreciated the comments on Petersen's curious relationship and also his ongoing struggle with alcohol. Real people have real flaws and it would have felt half baked if Petersen had simply been cast as a hero. He really was an amazing man - and for those who seek to pursue Christlikeness with his tenacity it is encouraging to know that struggle is always part of the journey. The story inspired me so I'd say Collier did well! And your post is helpful - as a pastor about to re-prioritise to do some writing myself, the tension and balance is an insight I have been feeling also. Thanks mate.
Thanks, Scot, for continuing to host this discussion. I was out of town last week, so I didn't get the chance to weigh on last week's question. Per this week's topic, I think there's a big difference between being a writer and a published author. The former doesn't always lead to--nor does it require--the latter. I'm one of those pastors who has an itch or a burn to write. For me, it's a way of thinking. I suspect it's a gift that help compensates for my other weaknesses. To paraphrase something Eugene said in another context, "Whenever I get bested in personal conversation, I pick up my weapon of choice ... my pen ... and I write."
I have found ways to use writing in pastoral ministry. One of the most unconsciously competent things I've ever done was to write a weekly letter to our church family. I'm certainly not the only pastor to do something like this. But I'm always surprised at the traction it gets. Some people tell me that it has discipled them; others admit they only read the last paragraph where I share a humorous story about something my grandkids have done or said.
Writing for publication is a different animal. There is a level of sacrifice for both pastors who feel the urge to do so. I've been diligent about writing on my "own time"--evenings, early mornings, my day off, or sabbatical. Even though I could argue that writing is an extension of my ministry, I'm careful not to let it encroach on my pastoral role. I've done so with the blessing of my wife, and I do it when it doesn't interfere with our time together. It's a lot easier than when our kids were younger.
I have a lot more I could say about writing and pastoral ministry, but I have a weekly letter to write to our church family!
Not a troll… just a guy asking a genuine question. Do you have analytical data on the click/open percentages of your weekly letters? If so, is it above or below 50%?
That's a great question! I don't have analytical data, just anecdotes (mostly from personal conversations). I know that not everyone reads them, but I'm always surprised at how many do. And it spans the generations. It would seem that the 50+ crowd would be more likely to read it, but I get comments from those in their 20s and 30s too.
That’s great! Hope you don’t mind me giving you a little advise… I’m pretty good at this stuff. Sometimes we need to rethink our methods of communication to reach a larger percentage of our intended audience. Writing a letter is great, but use something like mail chimp, constant contact or some other marketing based platform so you can see who is opening what. Also, post each point in its own Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (if you have the time, TikTok as well) post. It doesn’t have to be flashy, just post the info you want to put out in the shortest manner possible. Keep posting slightly different posts to those platforms leading up to each event. Create events on Facebook and invite the sauce out of people who you genuinely think would want to attend.. not just your whole friends list. 😅 you can always get an older teen in your church to do the posting, just make sure you approve the post and that you trust the person to have access to those accounts. Sorry if I’m sounding too cocky… this is just what I know works and I truly hope you can use this information. 😍🥰
Thanks, Joshua, for the advice. I appreciate it. We use most of these platforms for other things, so I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to incorporate that with the weekly letter.
My two favorite lines in this section were from his journals. "My anchor to my soul and my God is in this pen." "I feel that to keep my sanity - my spiritual sanity - I must simply walk away from the demands and duties and create."
I needed to read this… the troubling part for me is finding tranquility… if I’m alone, in the middle of nowhere and have my camera… I can easily find tranquility. If I’m alone, in my office… I find distractions. If I’m also in a cabin overlooking a lake or mountains, I can write… but for about 2 hours max and I’m done for the day once my tummy starts to grumble.
Selfish question time.. could well thought out video content be a more modern form of writing? I seem to be better at script writing for videos than writing a thesis or any other kind of paper writing.
I agree with your comment about the impact that can be made in the classroom. It is truly the art of the relationship, as it was for Eugene and Evelyn in their pastorate.
Scot, You certainly seem to have your hand on the rope of this book — interpreting the tension you feel in the line. I love you took on this campfire sessions.
Let me begin with an apology: my comment has nothing to do with Peterson as a writer.
I’m fairly confident that the first thing I knew about Eugene Peterson was that he had authored The Message. The second thing I knew of him came via a comment a college professor made, sometime around 2003, about Peterson’s thoughts regarding the size of a congregation, and the ability of a pastor to pastor effectively.
As I’ve read the book, I've wondered what Peterson thought of “associate ministry.” Collier writes on page 203 that “…there’d been only a few part-time assistants at Christ Our King. For several years, Eugene had prayed for an associate pastor to lead the youth and deacon ministries.” The relationship the Petersons had with Tracie Bullis seemed to be a match made in Heaven. That's about all there is on Peterson's thoughts of associate ministry.
Is “associate ministry” a viable life-long vocational option? I serve in the Church of the Nazarene, and I know many senior pastors were, at one time, an associate (I’m not sure what names other denominations use). Can one be a life-long youth pastor, even in the face of many asking, “when will you be a real pastor?”
David, I'm hoping pastors will chime in here. I believe it is.
Yes, David, one can be a life-long youth pastor. I worked with one for 25 years, and he’s still at it, years after I retired. And a great one - loved by his young people and the congregation. Energetic, original, and deeply spiritual.
Hi David, I’ve known many good associates who served for years in one capacity or another. Some were far better pastors than the lead guy they served alongside. I’ve known a handful who have spent 20+years in student ministry. Some eventually transitioned to denominational/coaching roles connected to student ministry. Others moved to another form of associate role.
Hi Scot - we have just finished listening to the audio-book of this as we have been on holidays travelling in Tasmania. I normally don't do audio-bks, but I was glad for this one as Danelle and I enjoyed the journey together. I loved that Collier sought to tell a true story rather than a 'nice' one. I appreciated the comments on Petersen's curious relationship and also his ongoing struggle with alcohol. Real people have real flaws and it would have felt half baked if Petersen had simply been cast as a hero. He really was an amazing man - and for those who seek to pursue Christlikeness with his tenacity it is encouraging to know that struggle is always part of the journey. The story inspired me so I'd say Collier did well! And your post is helpful - as a pastor about to re-prioritise to do some writing myself, the tension and balance is an insight I have been feeling also. Thanks mate.