{in this post, blogger jeremy statton reflects on how writing has changed his life.}

The last time I was given a writing assignment was my freshman year in college for a history class. And that moment almost became the last time I expressed myself through the written word.

I was headed to medical school, a life dedicated to science. My goal was to solve the world’s problems through surgeries and medicines. To me writing was a nuisance. An undesired chore.

Fourteen years later, however, I finally put pen to paper again, and it changed my life.

The Plan

As a senior in high school I decided to become an orthopedic surgeon. The course of my life was set. College. Medical school. Marriage crammed into the empty space somewhere. Maybe kids. Then Residency.

My plan was like the life of science I pursued. Precise. Without error.

For the … Read More »

{ANTLER author tania runyan interview karen swallow prior, author of booked: literature in the soul of me, t.s. poetry press, 2012}

It’s embarrassing for me to recount, but when I was still young in my faith, I questioned whether I could major in English or writing. My thinking went like this: If I’m either for God or against him, and if most texts studied in literature courses are written by nonbelievers, then I’d be spending my days studying words against God. With the help of some spiritual mentors, I was able to free myself from that burden (although I still taped over all my secular albums with Keith Green). But many people go through their entire lives paralyzed by their perceived need to choose between right and wrong in every situation: what to read, what to watch and listen to, even … Read More »

{Michael Winters reflects on faith, motivation and art.}

The other day as I pulled into the parking lot at the church office, Matthew was obviously up to some mischief. As I came into his view, he fumbled with something and turned the other way.  He looked caught.

I got out of the car, curious to see where this conversation was going to lead. After all, this was the same guy that got caught vandalizing our sign not too long ago.
I figured he was up to something similar, but he was by the electrical box when I first saw him. I hoped he wasn’t trying to cut power to the building. Thank God he didn’t electrocute himself yet.

Matthew has had a hot and cold relationship with our church, and I had just seen a recent facebook post from him … Read More »

{Ryan Strebeck reflects on how the power of words matter in both poetry and ministry}

I never expected or wanted to be a pastor, and I never cared much for poetry. So, it’s hard for me to escape the irony of this post and the question about poetry’s use in the life of ministry. I was deliberately ignorant of poetry (all literature, really) until I graduated from college, with one exception. Growing up in a ranching context, I spent time with old men and women who carefully used their words. They carefully spoke like they carefully shod their horses and cooked their meals and braided their hobbles.
I remember one man, in particular, who practiced reading and songwriting in a way that made me want to join him. He didn’t own a television, so in the evenings we sat around … Read More »

{in this piece, writer and activist Stephanie Kornexl talks about writing, Dorothy Day, and living the Incarnation}

For several months I worked at an urban downtown church allocating state ID vouchers to those in need and overseeing a soup kitchen for working poor and homeless men and women.  Each day I pulled into the back alley of the church to my office, and more often than not, I had a guest awaiting my arrival at the door.  Some were street people who came to ask for loose change or cigarettes, and others were distressed travelers seeking a bus ticket home or simply a pair of shoes. There were also the regulars who came to “boloney alley” who would hang around in hopes of catching a sympathetic ear to whom they could relinquish their stories.

As the sole person responsible for overseeing the … Read More »

{one of Antler’s goals is to foster discussion about poetry in religious life–offering content for faith communities to discuss, share, and contemplate. in that vein, we also give careful consideration to ministers who are thinking about using poetry and creative writing as a tool for spiritual formation. to that end, we’re going to be hearing from ministers and members of congregations as part of our “Awaken Series.” in this post, vixen of verse Sarah Wells ruminates on using artistic gifts–especially poetry–in church. this piece is pragmatic, encouraging, and an exciting start for all folks interested in mixing it up with faith and art! feel free to share!}

If you are anything like me, you are proud and excited about what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you through poetry.  You’ve set out with an idea, had that idea turned on … Read More »