Summary of  Purpose

Among the most recent examples of correspondence I've received about my writing is an email from a Christian sister in a different state from where I live in which she expressed her gratitude for the commentary I finished writing in 2017. Her affirmation was one of several  I’ve received over a fifty year ministry career that has always incorporated writing as an important component. Similar memories include correspondence from as far away as Ireland and Haiti, and a conversation with the wife of a man who told me he completed his decision to become a Christian after reading a tract I had written.

My experience, which is not unique among writers, validates the  statement by Joe Barnett quoted above. The affirmations also encourage me to continue my efforts to contribute to a tradition I first took note of in Michael Green's book, Evangelism in the Early Church. In a chapter on evangelistic methods, Green noted that the early church utilized public evangelism, household evangelism, personal evangelism, and literary evangelism. Regarding the latter, Green wrote:

"In addition to speaking to people about Christ, whether in public, in small house groups, or as individuals, one further method was open to early carriers of the gospel. Those with the talent could write. And they did. In fact, they invented an entirely new literary form, the Gospel, to carry their evangelistic message." ~ Michael Green, Evangelism in the Early Church, rev. ed. (Eerdmans), p. 346

Beginning with the epistles and Gospels, where the first preachers used the written word to expand their reach, and continuing throughout church history, believers with the talent to write have employed their gift to extend the reach of their teaching ministries  beyond their immediate time and place.

​As one  blessed with the talent to write, my initial reading of Green's book more than forty years ago planted the seed for a personal dream to one day make writing the primary focus of my ministry.  My aim is to prepare substantive teaching materials for the church drawn from my study of the biblical text and related subjects. I do this in the interest of informing and equipping a wider audience for service.

Looking Ahead

My goals for the next five years are to continue publishing the Berea Page and Opening the Scriptures newsletters (220 issues projected) and also to work on some shorter writings useful as evangelism and teaching aids.

I have also planned for and begun work on four additional books. My focus in these projects is drawn from the words of T. R. Glover, a scholar of a previous generation. In his book, The Jesus of History, developed from a series of lectures he presented at Cambridge University, Glover included a chapter entitled, “The Christian Church in the Roman Empire.” There, he showed how the ostracized minority movement that was ancient Christianity successfully overcame the resistance of the Roman Empire. He concluded that the Christians were victorious because they did three things better than the people they wanted to influence: (1) they “out-lived” the pagan; (2) “out-died” him; and (3) “out-thought” him” (Glover 1917 [Association Press], 199–205).

Utilizing studies of Scriptural texts including Ecclesiastes, the Gospels, and 1 Peter, the books I plan over the next five years will examine relevant Scriptural principles that can equip modern believers to “out-live,” “out-die,” and “out-think” a modern world that in many ways is becoming more like ancient Rome.

You Can Help

The College Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas, where I have been a member since 2015, is helping me as I seek to put my ministry on a more secure financial footing. The College elders have endorsed my ministry and committed to assist with fundraising and managing donations to support my work (read their endorsement letter here).

I welcome donations to help underwrite my ministry with a commitment to ongoing support or by making a one-time donation to help me establish necessary reserves as I continue to raise additional funds. The funds will be used to underwrite basic living expenses (housing and utilities) and provide a cushion for other periodic expenses (e.g., auto repairs). (Periodic donations from newsletter subscribers, website visitors, and others will also help.)

Donors who commit to ongoing support—either monthly or at other scheduled times—will be kept apprised of my work, added to the newsletter subscription lists (if not already recipients), receive advance notice of release dates for my books and other publications, and receive coupon codes for book discounts from CarChlex Books through my website. The discounted rates are as follows:

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• Single copies of print books — 20%
• Bulk orders for print books: 17—20% (see CarChlex Bookshelf page for numbers of books in bulk categories)
• Discounts on epub editions — 20% (standard website discount is 15%)

How To Donate​

• Click this link to read College Church's Anguish Writing Ministry endorsement letter.
• Contributions may be made online by visiting this website: collegechurchofchrist.org/giving or the Writing Ministry donation button at the top of this page. In the dropdown box marked "Fund," select "Anguish Writing Ministry." 
• Donations to this fund may be designated one-time, weekly, monthly, every two weeks, or twice a month.
• For additional information or questions, please feel free to contact the College Church.
• Donations may also be made by check. Send contributions by mail to:

College Church of Christ

712 East Race Avenue

Searcy, AR 72143

Memo: Anguish Writing Ministry