Before launching into a career as a (mostly) storyteller, I cut my author teeth writing nonfiction for some of the biggest (and not so biggest) Christian publishers. I imagine many Christians with a passion project start here, having gathered a collection of experiences, perspectives, and insights into faith and life and everything in between they want to share with the world.

And with this inner impulse combined with the Great Commission, Jesus’ exhortation to make disciples of the nations, baptizing and teaching them, something stirs, an itch grows to write and publish a book that will be useful for those who need help.

This was my own natural starting place, given I had graduated from seminary with nice, shiny dual degrees crowning me with a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology. I had also served as a pastor and in a previous ministry leading Bible studies and prayer groups in our American government.

So both my academic and vocational experiences were a natural fit. So were my passions, desiring to help people understand and apply the vintage Christian faith in ways that were biblically rooted, theologically relevant, and missionally engaging. I still do, though now through stories that challenge my poor characters with car chases and fist fights and alien invasions.

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My Experience with Writing Nonfiction

My journey into writing started with nonfiction, and that journey started first with writing blog posts on my personal blog wrestling through a sort of crisis of faith reimagining what I believed and how I lived as a Christian in this modern world. That collection and wrestling became my first book, published October 31, 2008. A few years later, I published a few prayer books, a compilation of theology resources, and my Master of Divinity thesis.

None of this was through a publisher. It was hard work doing it on my own, but I learned so much. Having gone through this experience and having these books also opened doors to work with publishing companies—which is when much of my nonfiction writing vocation took off.

I started writing blog posts marketing books to mostly academics and people in ministry of all sorts. That opened the door for editing and content creation projects, leading to even bigger doors writing devotional books and Bible studies, where I eventually was even contracted to write a study Bible with notes and introductions. Some of that was from connections I had living in Grand Rapids, where some major Christian publishers are located. Mostly, it was from many years of work and multiple projects building on one another, along with the Spirit’s moving in my story.

Since then, I’ve written or edited several devotional books and Bible studies, as well as content for a major online course platform for Christians, eight church resources, and that study Bible I mentioned. I say that not to boast, but to offer some perspective on my experience here. I also share it to encourage you that if I can do it, you can do it!

I’d love to share a bit about how you might follow the same path creating resources that will help others in their Christian walk. And the starting place for some of what I’ve learned toward igniting faith in your world through nonfiction books begins with knowing and leaning into your S.H.A.P.E.

Lean Into Your S.H.A.P.E.

Back when I was pastoring, and when I was counseling people to understand the call of God on their lives, I would often ask them their shape. No, not their size and weight!

Their S.H.A.P.E., a handy acronym inviting Christians to chart their spiritual gifts, heart passions, personal abilities, personality, experiences.

I had heard of this method of discernment at some point early in ministry, and it stuck with me ever since. I thought it was a helpful tool to discern the way God had shaped a person’s story in such a way to then use that story for his glory and human flourishing.

It’s still a helpful tool, one that would be a good start when it comes to discerning the kinds of things you should write about.

First, consider your spiritual gifts.

For writers of the sorts of books I’ll address below, that’s usually teaching, wisdom, discernment, evangelism, and shepherding. Remember, the Spirit gifts us these as part of our adoption into the family of God—for the specific purpose of equipping and building up the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).

How has the Spirit equipped you?

Next, what makes your heart sing? What are you passionate about?

Could be something as practical as cooking and organizing, or as activating as the environment and racial justice.

What is it you are naturally drawn to in the world, that sets your heart on fire?

Apart from spiritual gifts, God has also wired us with personal abilities, which often coincide with our personality.

Some of us are naturally athletic or are great with numbers. I’m neither of those! Others have a way with words, whether with the gift of gab or the power of the pen. Others can focus on one task for hours on end, or are super great at either big-picture thinking or down-in-the-details execution.

What are you good at? And then how do they connect with the way God has wired your personality?

Finally, experiences. The events from childhood, our twentysomething years, even our mid-life and late-life that have infused us with a perspective and insight into life that others will benefit from.

These are the unique twists and turns to our life story, the junctures in our path that have taken us through both the highest of mountain peaks and lowest of darkest valleys. Be honest about these highs and lows, because it will be out of this well of experiences that we will draw the most empathetic, authentic, and relevant examples to help others navigate their own problems.

Alright, now you’ve got your S.H.A.P.E. Knowing who you are, the experiences and perspective you can draw from combined with the insights into faith, life, and everything in between, will give you a deep well you can draw from to encourage and empower your readers with scriptural guidance.

How might you use that uniquely you you to bless others and ignite faith in your world?

And what sort of ways can you wield the pen for the sake of the cross, leveraging that you S.H.A.P.E. in specific bookish ways?

Maybe you’ve learned practical ways to get in shape and stay in shape as a stay-at-home mom. Or you can make a budget spreadsheet sing and help people climb out of the shackles of debt. Or you’ve got experience helping teenagers navigate their journey of faith in Christ. Or you can unpack the Book of Hebrews, showing how it bridges the Jewish Story and the Jesus Story—and why it’s relevant to our life now.

Or, or, or…

The Spirit of Christ wants to marshall all of who you are to ignite faith in the world through any number of studies and devotionals and inspiring resources! All for God’s glory and the gospel-good of your neighbor.

So take time to chart your S.H.A.P.E., consider the YOU that Christ has created. Then—

Let’s create for Christ together 🖊️

/ jeremy

PS: This post is from a chapter in my Christian Author 2.0 Roadmap book. It’s my handbook for Christian authors wanting a compass from an experienced publishing professional charting a course for them to write, publish, and market their own passion projects. Grab a copy direct or from most online retail stores.