Have You Found the Community Just Right for You?
You may not be aware of several ways we help to grow our writers at Cru. More than one thing in this list is bound to interest you.
Let’s do our writing ministry in community!
Events
- We just held our first-ever Writers’ Conference at Lake Hart. Everyone was enthusiastic about it and we hope to have some speaker videos available soon. At minimum, we’ll consider a writers’ conference every other year in the spring. Several attendees said the next one should be a two-day conference. We’re only now processing what could be next and appreciate your prayers and input.
- Since 2009, we’ve been hosting BAM at U. S. Staff Conferences. BAM (Bloggers, Authors, and Ministry Writers) is transitioning from a meet-up to a “TED talk” event. Look for BAM19!
Orlando Community Activities
- The Artist’s Way is a 12-week workshop for writers and other creatives (and creative wanna-be’s). Come join us at Lake Hart as we recover and discover our creative freedom through studying The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron together. We’ll meet on Tuesdays over lunch, starting on March 20th.
- Sus Schmitt will be reinstating our monthly Bloggers’ Brown Bag Lunch at Lake Hart this spring. If you’re interested in learning blogging skills together, contact Sus dot Schmitt at cru.org to find out more.
- Would a regular critique group help you with your writing skills? Anne Marie offers writing training from time-to-time and is interested in trying critique groups. Write AnneMarie dot Winz at cru.org to express your interest.
Virtual Community Places
Social
- Cru Reading Group at Goodreads. Follow the link to the group at Goodreads.com and request an invitation from admin Sus Schmitt.
- Cru Writers Guild is a closed group on Facebook. Request an invitation. We hope to see this group grow with mentoring and virtual critiquing and link ups for guest-posting. Maybe you have an idea to grow this community.
Facebook Workplace
Do you have a profile on Facebook Workplace yet? Facebook Workplace is a space on Facebook for Cru staff only. It’s a great way to collaborate or share common interests. Some groups that would appeal to writers are:
Are you using Pinterest to showcase your blog? You should! Post your work on Inspirational Blog Posts, a Pinterest group board. More than 200 followers receive a feed of the blogs pinned to this group. Contact Sus dot Schmitt at cru.org to be added.
Fairly new… be listed on the Cru Blogger Directory on Pinterest. Again, contact Sus Schmitt to be added to her board.
Resources
Besides the social sites, you may also want to check out Anne Marie Winz’s site, Writing for Life. Anne Marie will help you clearly and thoughtfully communicate your faith in writing.
Follow the eQuipping for eMinistry blog for easy-to-understand posts about technology and ministry. My blog is especially useful for blogging, sending MailChimp letters, using social media, and more.
From time-to-time, we update a list of ministry writing opportunities that we know about within Cru. Check out the most recent list, if you’re looking for a place to use your writing skills.
Join a Team to Build into Writers
I know a group of people who are committed to building into the writers at Cru. Our team has seen God’s blessing and guidance. If you’d like to join us on this adventure, respond to this post or write to e4e at cru.org for more information about our team.
As Henry Blackaby taught through John 5, if you see God at work, join Him there:
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working… So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He Himself is doing. And greater works than these will He show Him, so that you may marvel. ~ John 5:17, 19-20 (ESV)
We’re amazed at God’s hand at work in our efforts of ministering to the writers at Cru and invite you to join us in what He is doing to encourage and equip Cru writers.
godfullyknown.blog 