Dear Christian Writing World:
As a Christian writer that has recently released some of the writings the Lord has given me, I have learned a lot. Much of it has been good. However, there remains something great that I've heard and seen which has broken my heart.
I recently attended a Christian writer’s conference and had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people. My professional experience has taught me that within any business there is a business that has to be learned. I needed to learn that business and connect with other believers. When I began writing, I always had a goal in mind, and that was to advance the Kingdom of God. The Lord placed a passion in my heart not to just write but to write with the purpose of the saving of souls.
Then, like a ton of bricks upon someone's head, I painfully heard many say, "Don't be too preachy" or "Make sure when you write you don't preach."
Initially I thought, maybe I shouldn’t make a swift conclusion about the Christian literary world entirely. Besides, this was a simple opinion, right? But, after the conference I went home and did months of research only to find that within the Christian market many publishers, agents, and editors alike were rejecting writings that “preach”. Phrases like “I prefer poems that don’t preach,” were among my many discoveries.
Immediately such a righteous indignation arose in me, where I would like to now pose a question to those that agree with that opinion: What is wrong with “preach”? Why is this your word of choice? What does this mean?
I cannot remain silent. Someone needs to say something about this.
To preach means to publicly proclaim and teach. What about that is wrong? Am I not to publicly proclaim the Truth of the God that saved me? Am I not to publicly proclaim His law? Or is it that you would rather me not publicly proclaim the name of Jesus?
The Bible I read says in Romans 10:14 (KJV) “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Paul, a preacher (2 Tim 1:11), wrote over 2/3 of the New Testament. That same Paul instructed Timothy to preach in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2).
And yet writers are instructed not to preach.
Have you chosen to deviate from the Word of God?
What scripture will support your admonishments?
I am not posing these questions sarcastically. I am asking because I truly lack the understanding as to why some in the Christian literary world would instruct this? I could understand the secular market saying this, but not the people called by the name of Christ.
The word of God proclaims justice and judgement; blessing and curses; war and peace. So, preaching is not only “doom and gloom,”as one publisher stated, but it encompasses the fullness of the Gospel administered by the Spirit of God that dwells within His vessels. So, when I am instructed or encouraged to not preach in my writing and not be preachy it isn’t just simple business advice. But rather, it is an encouragement to disobey the one that saved and sent me. And that dear brethren, is not okay.
What is it? Are you afraid? Is it for sales or market popularity? Are you attempting to not offend?
Jesus said blessed are those who are not offended in me (Matthew 11:6).
It wasn't money that instructed and anointed me to write. It was God, and I write not for the increase of financial goods but for the saving of souls.
People need to read the preach. The preach is what ministered to me Christ. I learned about God through the preaching. The preach in writings, music, and over the pulpit. I needed and still need the public proclamation and teachings of my God.
We are in a world that is preaching and publicly proclaiming sin daily! Many are encouraging compromise, idolatry, and abominable practices. And yet some in the Christian literary world sit back and instruct writers not to preach.
It is with great disappointment that I write this. I expected more from those that call themselves believers. Where is the declaration of Truth? Where is the stance for Our Father and Messiah? Where is your love for God? In your writings I see your love for literature and words, but I see no love for God.
I dare not think my God has called only me to refute this, as God revealed to Elijah when he thought he was the only one (1 Kings 19:18). But, to the 7000 that will not bow their knees to the Baal of the Christian literary world. I ask: stand up, show yourself, and preach.
Passionately,
Kristina