So good Grant, thanks for this one. There is a quiet violence in counting. It reduces the sacred to the quantifiable, the mystery to the metric. But the Incarnation never dealt in abstraction—it was God’s answer to disembodiment: not an idea, but a Person, not a broadcast, but a touch. If Christ entered our world by taking on flesh, then perhaps our task as writers is not to ascend into visibility, but to descend into presence. To be with—not above—our readers. The tension between platform and purity will not resolve by strategy, but by surrender: to the God who hides not in performance, but in the cracks. In the forgotten posts, the unread lines, the quiet obedience of saying what must be said, even if no one listens. Resurrection, after all, began in a garden no one noticed. And it is still unfolding—every time we choose presence over platform, embodiment over image, communion over control. He is risen indeed, but He is risen ‘here’. Still clothed in flesh. Still playing in ten thousand places. Even in this strange, glowing wilderness we call the internet.
You have beautifully described my tension with social media and gave me practical tips and language to chew on. I’ve always seen social media as a mission field but you gave great context on how I can reimagine using these platforms. Thank you.
Content is not the means to an end. Content reflects at its core the nature of Christ. Praying before -as you mention- and before posting is a great key to remaining in Christ. The side-by-side comparison of the digital and the Athenian is very helpful.
This was the first of your posts that I've seen, and it really hits home. Although I have not started on socials, I've thought about publishing on substack more recently. However, I've questioned my motivation for doing so. Currently, I have self published 2 poetry books and have wanted those to be just something tangible to share with those around me rather than hoard my writings to myself. So I wonder about how to navigate these feelings you mentioned when I haven't even started substack yet. I want the goal to remain the same. Yet I'm still questioning myself and where I am being led.
I understand. I'll be praying for you! My encouragement is this: if you believe the Spirit lives in you, then trust Him. If you start in a direction, just keep listening. He will correct your course.
This is excellent. I’m still trying to find my voice. My next post, I write about how I became a Christian. I prayed before I wrote it. Because I don’t just want people to read it and think, “That’s nice for her”. I want it to leave people thinking, “maybe God can do that for me”.
I so appreciate you sharing this. As someone who works in a ministry whose purpose is to transform the digital mission field with the love of Jesus, I struggle with metrics. Numbers are not always indicative of impact. Though behind every number is a person with a story, it’s the stories of life change that I hope to capture and be able to share. Lives changed, people brought closer to Jesus, is the goal of ministry online.
Really enjoyed this, Grant. You put into words the tension I have been feeling over the last few months. I will revisit this post when I find myself drifting. Thank you!
You are doing such good work here, Grant! Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.
I always pray before a post publishes that God would use it to reveal His Truth and Hope to whomever needs it. I trust that He will get it in front of the eyes who can be blessed by it.
A huge shift in how I treated my Instagram page (lots of metric obsession, striving, and hand wringing—ugh!) and a big weight off my shoulders, too 😊
Thank you for this most inspiring post. I immediately became a paid subscriber following reading this. I could site almost every sentence as my favorite, but I'll keep it to these gold nuggets: "He was finding bridges. Places where their cultural understanding created openings for truth. He spoke their language without speaking their message." Great reminder! "When we work the harvest, it's not our field, but God's. He will bring the harvest." Thank you.
In this post you expressed a tension I have been feeling for a long time. In fact, it’s almost paralyzed me from writing. I have had this mentality over many years of ministry seeing every place I am connected as a mission field. For some reason, it’s been harder to trust it when my words are on the page. Thank you for your honest words and encouragement to write.
Just yesterday I disabled all Substack notifications on my phone. No push, no email. Your article here has confirmed things for me.
I’ve also set a 20-minute daily limit on Substack for scrolling and checking stats. I’ll only use it on my computer for writing. That’s it.
I don’t want being here to become an idol. It’s too easy to do with social media. Thank you again for holding believers accountable so graciously and wisely.
This is a beautiful manifesto for any Christian writer and resonates deeply with my own perspective. I just didn't have the elegancy of these words. We (Christian writers) have a great message to share. The culture is desperately seeking deeper meaning and purpose. We know that deep hope and peace that is centered on Christ that cannot be attained by all the yoga and meditation practices that center on self. We have a great message to communicate across those bridges and through those cracks in the culture. We can find those gaps and bridges if we are truly listening and caring for those around us that are seeking something more meaningful. Metrics don't matter, but faithfulness does. Press on writers and thank you Grant for the great manifesto for Christian writers.
So good Grant, thanks for this one. There is a quiet violence in counting. It reduces the sacred to the quantifiable, the mystery to the metric. But the Incarnation never dealt in abstraction—it was God’s answer to disembodiment: not an idea, but a Person, not a broadcast, but a touch. If Christ entered our world by taking on flesh, then perhaps our task as writers is not to ascend into visibility, but to descend into presence. To be with—not above—our readers. The tension between platform and purity will not resolve by strategy, but by surrender: to the God who hides not in performance, but in the cracks. In the forgotten posts, the unread lines, the quiet obedience of saying what must be said, even if no one listens. Resurrection, after all, began in a garden no one noticed. And it is still unfolding—every time we choose presence over platform, embodiment over image, communion over control. He is risen indeed, but He is risen ‘here’. Still clothed in flesh. Still playing in ten thousand places. Even in this strange, glowing wilderness we call the internet.
Wow, very well said. Thank you for sharing that.
Great line... there's a quiet violence in counting. That's a warm blanket to wrap in and ponder on.
You have beautifully described my tension with social media and gave me practical tips and language to chew on. I’ve always seen social media as a mission field but you gave great context on how I can reimagine using these platforms. Thank you.
Praise God, I'm so glad to hear that.
Great post, Grant! I’m thankful for your encouragement and help as a Christian writer!
Thanks very much, Nick! That means a lot.
Content is not the means to an end. Content reflects at its core the nature of Christ. Praying before -as you mention- and before posting is a great key to remaining in Christ. The side-by-side comparison of the digital and the Athenian is very helpful.
This was the first of your posts that I've seen, and it really hits home. Although I have not started on socials, I've thought about publishing on substack more recently. However, I've questioned my motivation for doing so. Currently, I have self published 2 poetry books and have wanted those to be just something tangible to share with those around me rather than hoard my writings to myself. So I wonder about how to navigate these feelings you mentioned when I haven't even started substack yet. I want the goal to remain the same. Yet I'm still questioning myself and where I am being led.
I understand. I'll be praying for you! My encouragement is this: if you believe the Spirit lives in you, then trust Him. If you start in a direction, just keep listening. He will correct your course.
I know this wasn’t the subject of your post, but as I scrolled down while reading this section and below, I saw something:
Platform-building mentality
If you change it to Church growth mentality (especially some mega churches) your list still fits — sadly.
That is very sad, and yes, very true.
This is excellent. I’m still trying to find my voice. My next post, I write about how I became a Christian. I prayed before I wrote it. Because I don’t just want people to read it and think, “That’s nice for her”. I want it to leave people thinking, “maybe God can do that for me”.
It will come with time, for sure. You are on the right track! Leave it to the Spirit will reveal that to your audience.
I so appreciate you sharing this. As someone who works in a ministry whose purpose is to transform the digital mission field with the love of Jesus, I struggle with metrics. Numbers are not always indicative of impact. Though behind every number is a person with a story, it’s the stories of life change that I hope to capture and be able to share. Lives changed, people brought closer to Jesus, is the goal of ministry online.
Amen and amen!
Really enjoyed this, Grant. You put into words the tension I have been feeling over the last few months. I will revisit this post when I find myself drifting. Thank you!
You are doing such good work here, Grant! Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.
I always pray before a post publishes that God would use it to reveal His Truth and Hope to whomever needs it. I trust that He will get it in front of the eyes who can be blessed by it.
A huge shift in how I treated my Instagram page (lots of metric obsession, striving, and hand wringing—ugh!) and a big weight off my shoulders, too 😊
Thanks very much, Vanessa! Praise God, I’m glad He has revealed that to you.
I am too 😊
Thank you for this most inspiring post. I immediately became a paid subscriber following reading this. I could site almost every sentence as my favorite, but I'll keep it to these gold nuggets: "He was finding bridges. Places where their cultural understanding created openings for truth. He spoke their language without speaking their message." Great reminder! "When we work the harvest, it's not our field, but God's. He will bring the harvest." Thank you.
Thank you so much, Karen. I'm so glad this has encouraged you, it brings a tear to my eye! Praise God.
Yes. To God be the glory!
Came across your post in the algorithm today and just want to say thank you for writing about this Grant!
Thanks very much, that’s very kind of you to say. Thanks for reading!
Great perspective! And worth the struggle to get to a healthy use of “presence” where all the people are and need to hear the Good News.
In this post you expressed a tension I have been feeling for a long time. In fact, it’s almost paralyzed me from writing. I have had this mentality over many years of ministry seeing every place I am connected as a mission field. For some reason, it’s been harder to trust it when my words are on the page. Thank you for your honest words and encouragement to write.
Praise God! Thank you for your comment :)
Just yesterday I disabled all Substack notifications on my phone. No push, no email. Your article here has confirmed things for me.
I’ve also set a 20-minute daily limit on Substack for scrolling and checking stats. I’ll only use it on my computer for writing. That’s it.
I don’t want being here to become an idol. It’s too easy to do with social media. Thank you again for holding believers accountable so graciously and wisely.
This is a beautiful manifesto for any Christian writer and resonates deeply with my own perspective. I just didn't have the elegancy of these words. We (Christian writers) have a great message to share. The culture is desperately seeking deeper meaning and purpose. We know that deep hope and peace that is centered on Christ that cannot be attained by all the yoga and meditation practices that center on self. We have a great message to communicate across those bridges and through those cracks in the culture. We can find those gaps and bridges if we are truly listening and caring for those around us that are seeking something more meaningful. Metrics don't matter, but faithfulness does. Press on writers and thank you Grant for the great manifesto for Christian writers.
Love the word “manifesto” applied here. That’s how I think of it, too! Thank you for your thoughtful comment.