Starting anew

Why I'm starting a substack account.

I tend to see a lot of irony in my life.

Here’s one example: I oversee communications for a divinity school, but when it comes to my own website, I definitely give myself an “F” for communication.

I feel called to communicate God’s Word to others, and yet, I write slowly. My blog on my website is like an abandoned house that has fallen into ruins.

Part of my problem with communication is that I want to write meaningful content, not rubbish for the sake of having something to say.

I’m also a perfectionist. I want to make sure my grammar, spelling, and, most importantly, theology is correct. (I’ll likely edit this post multiple times.) I know the weight and consequences of what we say.

Add to this another reason: we are over-inundated with communication. Everyone has an opinion and believes their voice is the one to be heard above the rest. As consumers, we just consume whatever is right in front of us, and, as a result, we too easily become like parrots repeating what we’ve heard instead of thinking critically for ourselves. Too harsh?

I also resent the need to build a platform or brand. I like it when these things happen organically, but I don’t want to force it or be fake or pretend to be an expert at everything.

Oh, and one more reason for my bad communication skills, by the time I am home, I am either tired or have greater priorities to family and home. To date, I haven’t been able to make a living off my writing, so it gets pushed to the back burner.

So in my ways, I feel like a living oxymoron: a communicator who can’t communicate consistently or well on my own media accounts.

Then why start a substack account? That’s a good question.

When I first graduated seminary, I could not find a job in ministry. Thus, in looking for some avenue to minister, I began a WordPress account. This was fun for a time, and I felt like I had a few committed readers who were engaged. But, after several years, since it wasn’t paying the bills and as I began a family, I blogged less and less.

Recently, though, a student and friend at Beeson Divinity School, recommended that I look into a substack account. So here I am.

More than that, I am willing to give this a try because I want to steward the gifts God has given me well. I recognize that I could be sharing more with others about what I’m reading in Scripture and in books. My husband, who is a New Testament scholar, and I have too many to count conversations about Scripture and theology—so why not share some of those with you? As I’m leading the charge of launching a new Center for Women in Ministry, I have many updates to share about our work. Thus, the content of the substack will be twofold: Christian discipleship and women in ministry.

My greatest challenges to the substack will be consistency and giving up on being a perfectionist (yet still being thoughtful and careful). So if you’re willing to give this a try with me, pray for me and excuse all the grammar and style mistakes, with God’s help I will share meaningful content that I pray will encourage you in discipleship and ministry.

💛Kristen