Writing/Editing

30+ years of writing, editing and publication management experience

I’ve written and edited professionally since 1986. My primary communications and public relations experience has occurred in the non-profit world, particularly with churches and mission agencies. My greatest writing and editing strengths are in writing feature stories, web copy and blogs, and editing feature stories and shorter books/manuals. Because my primary, full time job is one of interacting with many local churches, I’m strong in understanding current local church issues and trends. My educational background gives the ability to communicate about  theological issues and nuances. See online samples of my writing and editing by going to this Dropbox folder. 

  • Freelance writing projects, 2011-present (part-time).
    • I’m currently coordinating a team within Pioneers (mission agency) which is re-designing the church relations portion of the website. We’re planning for it to give a more significant explanation of how we partner with churches. It will launch ongoing content creation in the form of a blog and newsletter, to which I’ll regularly be contributing content as well.
    • I’ve also recently written articles for mission agency websites and newsletters. Here’s an example: Which Comes First: The Church or the Missionary? I wrote a guide given to students at the national Cross Conference to help them begin their journey to the field after the event.
  • Communications Director, Arab World Ministries (September 2007-September 2010)
    • Developed several video, print and web promotional pieces for a campaign to recruit churches to send missionary teams to the Arab world.
    • Led a team in re-branding the agency’s national quarterly newsletter. Previously the publication had been art-driven and expensive to produce. Our team reformulated the publication’s goals to ones of personal mobilization (praying, giving and going). We substantially reduced the cost per piece while increasing personal response, particularly giving.
    • Produced two national monthly emails.
    • Edited and produced a prayer guide for Moroccan Berbers.
    • Wrote and edited web copy for the US portion of the international website; served as webmaster for same website.
    • Produced the annual report.
    • Produced fundraising letters.
    • Wrote trade catalog copy for Thomas Nelson Publishers.
    • Wrote brief promotional biographies for rising contemporary Christian music artists.
  • Freelance writer and editor (September 1993-October 1994)
    • Proofread for several editions of Athlon’s sports magazines.
    • Started, wrote, edited and produced the monthly newsletter for Christ Community Church, Franklin, TN (a church of 2,000+).
    • Wrote bios for aspiring Nashville musicians
  • Communications Director, Advancing Churches in Missions Commitment (full time June 1986-May 1990; part time 1990-1992/2000-2007)
    • Wrote, edited and oversaw production of three nationally-distributed quarterly publications designed as practical help for local church missions leaders.
    • Wrote the manual Cultivating a Missions-Active Church.
    • Read missions news widely and maintained an archive of resources used to respond to local churches’ specific missions questions.
    • Produced annual reports and annual membership directories.
    • Produced promotional pieces for national conferences.
    • Frequently ghostwrote pieces on behalf of interviewees.

Services

Website services for churches

Make your church website more informative and inviting by adding ghostwritten blog articles, stories of life change happening at your church, and descriptions of how your church enables people to be equipped as disciples and disciplemakers.

Sermon transcription

Post downloadable transcriptions of your sermons alongside your sermon audio. Or turn your sermons into blog posts.

Small group resources

I’ve served as a small groups pastor and have been trained professionally in small group dynamics. I can write compelling small group studies and questions (for example, for a sermon discussion group).

Analysis of your current website

I’ll analyze your current website from an outsider’s point of view. What are you saying to (potential) visitors? What are you saying theologically? What are you saying is important to your church? How accessible is your church? (can people find their way into your church easily?) How easy is it to navigate your site? What’s our tone? Formal? Warm?

Testimonials

“I sought Mike’s services to develop a small-group Study Guide to complement a recently published Theology book. Mike brought great diligence and thoroughness to reading and assessing the content of the book, then he systematically constructed a well-framed outline for the supporting Study Guide. For the Guide, Mike created conversational and thought-provoking questions designed to guide the reader/group through the book’s topics. In working with Mike, he demonstrated strong writing capabilities, a full understanding of the work requirements, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to developing a high-quality product. I was extremely satisfied with Mike’s services.”

Chris Connor

“Mike is a pleasure to work with and creates thought-provoking, gospel-focused content that has helped us engage believers and invite them into God’s global purposes.” — Marti Wade, Editorial Director for Pioneers-USA 

Let’s build something great together.

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