Writing is Not Simply a Career Skill but a Sacred Calling
Imagine someone who works as a copywriter or journalist. They know how to capture attention, craft headlines, and move people with words—but when they come to church, they think, “My skill isn’t ministry.” They might say, “I’m not a preacher, I just write.” Yet, the very ability to communicate clearly and creatively is one of the most powerful tools God can use for His mission in the world.
In ENG1000 Foundations of Professional Writing, students in Global Pre-Ministry Studies explore how writing—both for career and ministry—can join in the missio Dei, the mission of God to reconcile the world to Himself. The course teaches that writing is not simply a career skill but a sacred calling, an act of stewardship through which we participate in God’s redemptive work. Whether it is an email to a team, a social-media post, or a sermon outline, writing becomes a channel for grace when it is surrendered to the Spirit.
Writing as a Missional Calling
The Bible is full of moments where God’s message is communicated through writing. Moses inscribed the Ten Commandments on stone tablets, establishing covenant identity (Exodus 31:18). The prophets wrote visions so that others might “run with it” (Habakkuk 2:2). Solomon, blessed with divine wisdom, chose to express it through the written word—songs, proverbs, and reflections that still instruct the wise today (1 Kings 4:32–34). The mysterious “writing on the wall” in Daniel 5 delivered a divine warning to a proud king.
And then there is Paul. His letters were not written for publication but for discipleship and encouragement within local churches. Yet those same letters became the New Testament. Through writing, the Spirit turned private correspondence into sacred Scripture.
This biblical pattern shows us something essential: God often speaks through written words. Writing is not a lesser gift compared to preaching or prophecy—it is one of the primary ways revelation becomes enduring. When believers today take up their pens, open their laptops, or post online with Spirit-led purpose, they join a long line of faithful communicators in God’s mission. Something holy happens when we lift our pens—and our heads—to let the Spirit breathe through our words.
The Missio Dei and the Power of Communication
The missio Dei—the mission of God—reminds us that the work of redemption begins with God Himself. We are not initiating mission; we are joining in what God is already doing in the world. Communication is central to this participation because God’s mission is always a message: good news proclaimed, written, and embodied.
As theologian David Bosch (1991) notes, “Mission is not primarily an activity of the church, but an attribute of God. God is a missionary God.” Writing, therefore, becomes a missional act when our words reflect His truth, character, and compassion. In a digital age where words travel globally within seconds, Christian writers have unprecedented opportunity to serve as partners in that mission—crafting content that carries the gospel into online spaces where traditional ministry might never reach.
Professional writing is not just about grammar and structure. It’s about clarity that invites understanding, empathy that builds bridges, and faithfulness that points beyond ourselves. In that sense, writing becomes a form of incarnational presence. Just as Christ entered human history to reveal God’s heart, our words enter the world to reveal His truth.
Integrating Professional Skill and Spiritual Purpose
The missio Dei calls believers not only to proclaim truth but to embody it. Professional writing becomes part of that incarnational witness—where precision, creativity, and integrity reveal Christ through language. The skills learned in ENG1000 are not abstract; they are deeply practical and directly connected to ministry.
| Competency | Purpose in Ministry | Missional Outcome |
| Critical Thinking | Evaluate cultural messages through a biblical worldview, discerning what aligns or conflicts with Scripture. | Communicate truth with discernment, helping congregations engage culture faithfully. |
| Effective Communication | Structure writing for clarity, empathy, and cultural relevance. | Present gospel truth in ways that connect across languages and contexts. |
| Digital Media Integration | Use blogs, social posts, newsletters, and multimedia storytelling to reach audiences. | Extend the presence of the church into digital spaces, embodying mission online. |
When believers learn to write clearly, they also learn to think clearly. And clear thinking is essential for shepherding God’s people in complex global settings.
Scenario 1: When Writing Seems “Not Ministry”
Sipho works as a marketing writer in Johannesburg. He’s gifted at creating catchy slogans, yet at church he feels out of place. “I just write ads,” he says. “That’s not ministry.” But one day his pastor invites him to help craft the church’s Easter outreach posts. Sipho applies his storytelling skills—writing short, moving reflections on hope and resurrection. Hundreds engage online, and several visitors attend the Easter service for the first time.
Sipho realizes that persuasive writing can also be redemptive writing. The same clarity that sells a product can, when consecrated to God, draw someone to Christ. He begins to see his keyboard as a pulpit. As the psalmist declares, “May my tongue be the pen of a skillful writer” (Psalm 45:1, NIV).
This is what ENG1000 helps students discover: that communication, when filled with the Spirit, becomes participation in God’s ongoing mission. Skills once seen as “secular” become sacred tools.
Scenario 2: Why Excellence Matters
Pastor Eugene often writes devotionals for his congregation. His messages are heartfelt, but he sometimes wonders if they truly connect. One day he studies Paul’s letters—so carefully written, deeply theological, and yet profoundly pastoral—and realizes that these writings did more than instruct; they shaped the church’s identity.
Scripture itself testifies that excellence in writing matters to God. Moses’ tablets were “written by the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18). The psalmist speaks of words “refined as silver, purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6). Solomon pursued wisdom and then wrote it down so others might live by it. In each case, writing is not only functional but formational.
We should therefore desire to perfect our writing—not from pride but from reverence. As Ecclesiastes 12:10 says, “The Teacher sought to find pleasing words, and he wrote words of truth correctly.” Excellent writing honours the One who still chooses to communicate through words. When our writing is clear, truthful, and beautiful, it mirrors the nature of the God who speaks order into chaos.
Writing That Invites Encounter
Engaging, Spirit-led content can foster real encounters between the reader and the Lord. Whether it appears in a printed newsletter or a brief Facebook reflection, God can use a single paragraph to spark transformation. As C. S. Lewis (1961) reminded readers, “The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts.” The same applies to Christian communicators: our task is to irrigate the deserts of the human heart with living words.
Digital spaces, often seen as secular or superficial, can become sacred ground when believers write prayerfully and intentionally. A well-crafted story can serve as a bridge between heaven and earth. Each time we post, publish, or send an email imbued with love and truth, we extend the reach of the gospel in tangible ways.
This is the heart of ENG1000 Foundations of Professional Writing—to equip students not merely to write better but to write missionally. The goal is experiential transformation, where writing itself becomes a spiritual discipline that shapes both writer and reader.
Practicing Missional Writing Daily
Here are a few ways to integrate professional writing as part of your own ministry rhythm:
- Pray before you write. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide not only your thoughts but your tone. Ask, “Lord, who do You want to reach through these words today?”
- Write for clarity, not complexity. Use simple language to express profound truths. As C. S. Lewis advised, “Don’t use words too big for the subject.” Clarity builds trust.
- Tell stories. Jesus used parables because stories reveal truth that arguments often hide. Use testimonies, visuals, and relatable examples.
- Be authentic. Missional writing is honest writing. Share your real experiences of faith and struggle; that’s what draws readers toward grace.
- Edit prayerfully. Excellence requires revision. Review your words with humility, asking if they reflect love, truth, and hope.
When these practices shape your communication, you become more than a content creator—you become a messenger of hope, a letter of Christ written not with ink but with His Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:3).
Conclusion
You may already be writing for your work, your church, or your community. The invitation of ENG1000 is not to make you feel “less than,” but to equip you to do what you already love better. Professional writing, when surrendered to God, becomes ministry.
In the great story of redemption, words have always mattered. From the commandments on stone to the letters that formed the New Testament, God has chosen to write Himself into history. When you write with excellence and faith, you are continuing that story—participating in the missio Dei, shaping communities, and giving the Word a voice in your generation.
Further Reading
- Bonhoeffer, D. (2010). Life Together. SCM Press.
- Bosch, D. J. (1991). Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. Orbis Books.
- Lewis, C. S. (2013). Studies in Words (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- Missional University Catalogue (2025). ENG1000 Foundations of Professional Writing in Global Pre-Ministry Studies. Retrieved from https://catalogue.missional.university
Eljoh Hartzer is combining theology and art to nurture faith journeys across generations. She is a masters-level practical theologian with the University of Stellenbosch. She is also a writer and editor in the niche of Christianity and children’s content and she illustrates children’s books. Eljoh resides in the Swartland area in the Western Cape province of South Africa. She is a staff writer at Missional University focusing on missional theology and practice.
