By Pastor Scott Denham of
Harvest Fellowship,
Clarinda Herald Journal
Publication Date : 05/30/2007
“How do you decide what to write about?”
I regularly get questions asking me how I go about writing this
column. For a change of pace, I’ve decided to divert
from the regular format to address these questions.
First, let me say that I did not realize how great a
response there would be to this column. Living in a small community where
everyone knows one another, people regularly walk up
to me and comment on how much they appreciate the articles. (Just to be fair, I
am sure there are those who are less vocal, but feel quite the contrary!)
"Ask The Pastor" was started
over a year and a half ago, after much prayer. I sensed that the Lord wanted me
to write an Ann-Landers-type advice column to address spiritual questions.
Little was I prepared for what I have come to understand.
People--Christian and non-Christian alike--have deep, searching questions about
God that remain unanswered. For me, addressing such questions is a bit like
giving birth: Every article is born out of the pain of prayer, study, and
mental wrangling. Nonetheless, like with childbirth, a healthy child is desired.
Mostly, my decision on what to write about is driven by the questions asked. I receive few unworthy
questions, but rarely do I have time to address them all. What leads me in the
decision is the question that I feel is most common to
the average person.
At that point, I turn to the Scriptures. I avoid (as much
as possible) veering off into speculation. Instead, I keep to the well-worn
paths of apostolic teaching and biblical orthodoxy--those doctrines common to
virtually all believers across the centuries
Now for the man behind the curtain.
When I have written my first draft, I send the article by e-mail to my good
friend, fellow pastor, and former composition teacher, Andy Petro. Pastor Andy
does two things for me. First, he has been of immense value in catching any
grammatical mistakes and bringing clarity out of any obscurity. More
importantly, Andy reins me in, lest I, like some wild
Mustang, gallop off into dangerous territory. For these things and, more
importantly, for his friendship, I am grateful.
When I have a final draft, and I’m
confident that I have an article that I can stand behind, I send it to the
paper for publication. I also upload it to the "Ask The
Pastor" website at askpastorscott.com, where all previous articles are
archived. (If you happen to check out that site, send me an e-mail with any
questions you'd have.
Many thanks go to the Herald Journal for the opportunity
and space they provide for the column, and to you, my readers, for your
support. May God richly bless you!
--Pastor Scott (www.askpastorscott.com)
--Pastor Scott (www.askpastorscott.com)