As co-editors, Karen and I have been thankful for all St Saviour’s support for Ignite (even before the first issue went to print!). Your positive feedback has been integral in spurring us on to fulfil the vision for this magazine. Thank you!
Being the recipient of encouragement like this is very humbling, but also sets me thinking about how essential encouragement is within the church body.
‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.’ 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 11
We all need building up at times, and the effect of an encouraging word can be exponential! In a world that often seems to emphasise problems and negativity, criticism can be rife, so encouragement is one of those counter-cultural practices that sees the good, conveys hope and confidence, and gives purpose to our lives.
With that in mind, our aspirations for Ignite include bringing life-changing encouragement to all who read it – through news items that prompt and engage; articles that raise faith levels and expectancy; and features that express how our faith can have an impact on lives – our own or those of others.
How can we do this?
With your help! Every one of you has something interesting to write! Each of us has a unique perspective to offer, or an enthusiasm to share, or a reflection to contribute, or a piece of news to report. Just think about what get’s you excited or moved, what affects you …
Tell everyone about your day-to-day triumphs in faith, or the joys of serving week-by-week and seeing your work bear fruit, or the passion that motivates you to run an event or to support a cause. Who knows how you might encourage another person through what you write? It’s the accounts of how God is at work in our lives that reveal Him; it’s the passion with which we communicate that is contagious; it’s the testimony of our walk with God that builds up others!
So, a final word of encouragement … Don’t be shy! Don’t be daunted! We have had submissions on all sorts of topics from people of all ages (our youngest contributor to date is 10 years old). We love reading what you write, and if we love it, it’s likely that our readers will like it too, whether they are in church or in the community. Bodybuilding by lifting a pen!
Clare Shearing, Co-editor
