by John Marinelli
Co-Founder
Witnessing Through Poetry
Prior to Jesus departure from Earth, just after His resurrection, He addresses more than 500 followers. They were not all Apostles but mostly common folk like you and me. His final words went something like this, " Go into your world and preach (proclaim) the gospel (good news) to everyone. In other words, become a witness of Me."
Being a witness, the day to day "how to" was left up to the early followers just like it's left up to us today. I guess that's why we see so many different types of ministries. They range from outreach efforts to Athletes, nursing homes, youth, Bible studies, and Churches, to various Fellowships like ours. Its almost as if Gods special gifting develops into outreach ministries that testify or witness of Him.
So we, the Poets of the Lord, are left with the challenge to become a witness, to proclaim the good news, using the special gifting bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit. Here-in is our dilemma. How can we touch the lives of others through Poetry?
- Admit to yourself that you are a Christian Poet. Come out of the closet and acknowledge your gifting, even if others do not.
- Stop looking for approval from others. Write what you feel is from the Lord, even if others think it's bad. The Lord will help you to improve your gift as you use it more.
- Practice your gift. That means writing often and making time to listen to what the Spirit is saying.
- Look for ways to share your poems to meet the needs of others. That will require a special sensitivity to the needs of those around you. Once you have discovered a need, like a loss of a loved one, depression, loneliness, etc. fulfill it with a "Word In Due Season." Become an encourager to the brethren and the less fortunate.
- Seek out and stay in touch with other Christian Poets for mutual fellowship and exchange of ideas.
- Stay in the scriptures. That means reading the Bible, not as a chore, but rather as a means of communication with Jesus. It is here that you will be filled with Faith and also where your Spiritual growth occurs.
All of the above suggestions are offered to help you get ready to use your gifting as a witness. The suggestions listed below are offered as ideas or ways to function as a witness, (a shopping list of ideas):
- Read the obituaries and send a ministering poem.
- Send regular letters to the editors of local newspapers in poetic verse that speak to the current event from a Christian viewpoint.
- Develop your own mailing or e-mail list of friends and relatives for a monthly poem of encouragement.
- Show your work to your pastor and suggest using it as a resource for church bulletins, newsletters, and in conjunction with sermons.
- Design short thought provoking poems of salvation. Duplicate them as tracts and pass them out to the unsaved.
- Take advantage of the Holiday seasons like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Mothers and Fathers Day, and any others you can think of to write a poem and share it with others.
- Read the wedding announcements and send a poem that fits the occasion.
- Send regular short poems to the religious editors of local newspapers for use as "filler" copy.
- Send monthly poems of encouragement to local Christian radio stations for Public Service Airing. Be sure they are short, uplifting, and focused on one central thought .
- . Attend craft, street, and county fairs with a poetry exhibit. I suggest framed poems in all sizes, even as large as a giant poster. This could be a group activity.
I am sure you will think of other ways of witnessing through poetry than what have been mentioned here. But these are a few to chew on while you are thinking .
The idea to use poetry to witness is actually the vision of "The Fellowship of Christian Poets". It is, as our slogan says, to put "POETRY IN MOTION THROUGH LOVE and DEVOTION", to the glory of God.
We hope you will continue to be blessed as you participate in this ever growing ministry.
May our Lord so inspire you and enrich you through His Love and Grace
Rev John Marinelli
Co-Founder
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