2010's Most Read Post: Writing as a Ministry Part III

Taking My Product to the People

In my first post in this series I discussed how I placed my writing ministry under the authority of my church. Last post I discussed my writing ministry in terms of product. This post will be discussing the forms of distribution as part of my marketing plan.

The avenues for bringing my 'products' to the people are:

1. Autograph Parties
2. Bookstores
3. Conferences, retreats, etc.
4. Internet Venues
5. Person to Person

These provide opportunities to:

1. Present the Gospel
2. Edify and Exhort Believers
3. Sell Books

A clarification: while the books will bring the good message of salvation through Christ, the book sales bring in the funds to cover the expenses incurred in providing opportunities to share the Gospel, to edify, and to exhort.
Autograph Parties

My autograph parties will specifically be to "bring forward on their journey" (3 John 6) the following (but not necessarily limited to) ministries of Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches¹:

1. Ladies Groups
2. Book Clubs
3. Libraries

Because I desire to help these ministries give the Gospel, edify, and exhort, I plan to cover the costs for these events. The church will not have to extend any funds toward the autograph party.
The format will include:

1. Introduction
2. My personal testimony (sharing the Gospel) *
3. Prayer
4. A reading from one of my books**
5. Question and answer time
6. Autograph time

* At the close of my testimony, I will direct guests to a person or people who can show them from Scripture how to be saved. I would mention this again at the end of the question and answer time.
** The leader or coordinator of the ministry may choose what they would like me to read from my books, whether a devotional, a poem, a short story, or a chapter. If they have a theme, I can try to match what I read with it. Please know that in no way do I want to exalt my work above the reading of Scripture. Rather, I hope that what I have written will point a person to God's Word and to the Lord Jesus Christ, for His honor and glory--not mine.

If the autograph party is to be held during any regular meeting, I will work with the coordinator or leader to adapt to their specific format. My desire is to help them, not take away or hinder their current ministry.

During the autograph time, people may purchase my books, and I will sign each one personally. The sale of books covers my traveling and other expenses.

I will also give a personal copy to the coordinator as well as to the church library.


¹ I am open to doing autograph parties at other locations (but not other denominational churches). However, in such a situation, I will be providing guests with information or tracts from the local Independent Baptist Church. Click here to learn why. My desire is to ensure that any person seeking counseling or discipling will be directed to a church that:

1. will rightly divide the Word of Truth (II Tim 2:15) and
2. views Scripture as the complete and final authority on God, salvation, and Christian living, i.e. "the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man."²

My own church is Calvary Baptist Church, in American Canyon. Click here to read its Articles of Faith.