Fulfilling your Ministry

"And say to Archippus, "Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you."

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭

NIV = "complete the ministry"

ESV = "fulfill the ministry"

The Message = "And, oh, yes, tell Archippus, "Do your best in the job you received from the Master. Do your very best."

"I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house."

‭‭Philemon‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬b-2‬

Most likely Philemon, his wife Apphia, and their son Archippus. All in the same household.

Imagine one person being singled out at the end of this letter to the Colossians church.

Most scholars see Paul's admonition to Archippus as simple encouragement, similar to Paul's exhortations in his epistles to Timothy and Titus.

It's interesting to note that Paul had never actually visited the Colossians church in person but we can be sure his written words to them made a tremendous impact and continue to do so today.

We are each an Archippus and have a ministry to carry out.

Paul's encouragement to Archippus and his family should encourage all of us to also "complete the ministry" God has given us.

Kingdom writer, be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.

Resources:

If you're ready to take a step of faith and finally finish your book, we have a few ways we can help you.

1. Free Writing Week Challenge: Create a Writing Habit in 15-Minutes a Day

Even if you feel overwhelmed or stuck in procrastination, sitting down to write for just 15 minutes a day is the best way to finally reach your writing goals. Most writers think they need hours of uninterrupted time to make progress in their writing. However, in this free challenge, we will show you how much you can accomplish in just 15 minutes of focused writing.

Click here to create a consistent writing habit this week.

2. Book Writing Lab Workshop - Map Out Your Book in Just 90 Minutes

If over the last year, you've struggled to get your book written, this workshop is for you. Choose your book topic, write an outline, and create a writing plan in just 90-minutes! Finally, feel confident that you will actually finish your book.

Get started now for just $27

3. Want More Support? Join Christian Book Academy

Most writers stay stuck and never finish their first draft. Inside Christian Book Academy, we help you partner with God to write your book so you can become a published author. Finally, ditch your self-doubt and take a step of faith so you can finish your book.

Join Christian Book Academy (coupon code PODCAST)

Get 50% off your first month by using the coupon code PODCAST at checkout.

Think you need a long weekend or a perfect schedule to finish your book? Think again.

In today's episode, Shelley shares the simple but powerful writing rhythm that's helping Christian Book Academy members finally finish their drafts — even in the middle of real life.

If you've been stuck waiting for "someday," this is your permission to stop striving and start showing up — just 15 minutes at a time.

Join us at https://christianbookacademy.com/

Take a step of faith and finally finish your book.

Do you feel stuck when it's time to market your book? In this episode, Shelley shares how the Book Marketing Multiplier Workshop will give you a simple 3-step framework—Plan → Prompt → Post—to turn your own words into ready-to-share content in minutes. You'll walk away with emails, posts, and graphics you can use right away, plus a weekly rhythm to keep reaching readers without overwhelm.

👉 Reserve your ticket here: https://authors.thrivecart.com/book-marketing-multiplier/

If you've been spinning your wheels trying to decide which book to write first… this episode is for you.

In just 5 minutes, you'll walk through a simple but powerful process to:

✅ Narrow down your book ideas ✅ Choose the breakthrough you're ready to write about ✅ Find the clarity and confidence to move forward

This is the same process we teach inside our Book Writing Lab workshop — and it's helped so many Christian writers finally get unstuck and finish their books.

You don't need to write your entire life story. You just need to start with one message you've lived.

🎯 Ready for even more clarity?

Join us in the Book Writing Lab: https://bookwritinglab.com

Still waiting for clarity? Maybe it's waiting on you.

If you've been spinning your wheels trying to choose the perfect book idea, here's the truth: it's not about finding the flawless starting point. It's about obeying the nudge God already gave you and moving forward in faith.

If you're stuck in overthinking mode, paralyzed by the fear of choosing wrong — this is your invitation to start simple, start small, and start now.

Join us inside Christian Book Academy and take the next faithful step toward finishing your book at https://ChristianBookAcademy.com

Most Christian writers think "longer = better."

But the data — and reader behavior — tell a completely different story.

In this episode, I'll show you why shorter books not only get finished but also sell.

You'll see the Amazon strategy behind it, how readers behave, and what's working inside Christian Book Academy right now.

Want help finally finishing and publishing your book? Join us inside https://ChristianBookAcademy.com

Persistent Pests

"Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!"

‭‭Song of Songs‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭

These little foxes aren't yet fully grown. Nobody would think a cuddly little fox would be dangerous to have around. They love nothing better than to eat the young grapes before they come out fully. Thus, they wreak havoc on the vines of our walk with the Lord.

Let's mention 5 of the "little foxes" or persistent pests that ruin some of our fruitful writing before it's fully ripened…

1.) Sensitiveness or easily offended. It can be a small chip on our shoulder but flare up if we're not given the respect we desire. It can stifle our creativity in writing and dry up the flow of the Spirit. Pray that we can have the mind and humility of Christ.

2.) Laziness. Too lazy to dig into the Word. Too lazy to spend time in prayer. This also leaks into our writing. The Kingdom Writer cannot afford to compromise in these areas if we expect eternal impact. There's a cost to those things and also a great reward.

3.) Living in regret. The most powerful 3 words in history were uttered by Jesus while hanging on the cross, "It is finished!" Regret sucks the life out of us and keeps us from moving forward in all that God has for us.

4.) Distraction. Causes us to go down rabbit trails. Social media is the major distraction of our day. One writer calls it "nuggets of nothingness." Before we know it, we've wasted 1-2 hours with nothing to show for it.

5.) Busyness. We fill up our days and weeks with good things. But somehow we fail to set aside scheduled writing blocks. Or when we do, it can easily be cancelled and replaced by something else. It's not treated as a priority.

The only way to handle these "little foxes" is to kill them. If we don't, our sweetest, most fruitful writing, like vine-ripened grapes, will not materialize.

Resources:

If you're ready to take a step of faith and finally finish your book, we have a few ways we can help you.

1. Free Writing Week Challenge: Create a Writing Habit in 15-Minutes a Day

Even if you feel overwhelmed or stuck in procrastination, sitting down to write for just 15 minutes a day is the best way to finally reach your writing goals. Most writers think they need hours of uninterrupted time to make progress in their writing. However, in this free challenge, we will show you how much you can accomplish in just 15 minutes of focused writing.

Click here to create a consistent writing habit this week.

2. Book Writing Lab Workshop - Map Out Your Book in Just 90 Minutes

If over the last year, you've struggled to get your book written, this workshop is for you. Choose your book topic, write an outline, and create a writing plan in just 90-minutes! Finally, feel confident that you will actually finish your book.

Get started now for just $27

3. Want More Support? Join Christian Book Academy

Most writers stay stuck and never finish their first draft. Inside Christian Book Academy, we help you partner with God to write your book so you can become a published author. Finally, ditch your self-doubt and take a step of faith so you can finish your book.

Join Christian Book Academy (coupon code PODCAST)

Get 50% off your first month by using the coupon code PODCAST at checkout.

Your book deserves more than words on a page—it deserves stories that stay with readers long after they finish the last chapter.

If you've ever worried your stories fall flat, feel surface-level, or simply don't capture the power they held in real life, you're not alone. Many writers struggle with stories that don't connect deeply or get forgotten too quickly.

That's why we created the Stories That Stick workshop. In just 90 minutes, you'll:

• Discover a list of meaningful story ideas you can use right away.

• Walk away with one fully outlined story that's ready to bring to life.

• Learn a simple, repeatable framework to craft stories that resonate, connect, and remain unforgettable to your readers.

Because a book shouldn't just be written—it should be remembered.

Get your ticket here: https://authors.thrivecart.com/stories-that-stick

We are excited to announce that we've published a new book: Rise and Write. Get your copy at the links below.

Rise and Write (Kindle): https://amzn.to/4fFoev2 Rise and Write (print): https://amzn.to/4lntRiI

Forward your receipt to [email protected] to claim your prizes

Buy during launch week (Tues–Thurs 9/23/25 - 9/25/25) and get these special launch bonuses:

• Silence Your Inner Critic workshop free ($47 value)
• Perfectionism Detox Journal free ($9 value)

Plus, you will be entered to win the Kingdom Writers Bundle ($69 value) shipped to your home — mug, tote bag, journal, t-shirt

Do you dream of being a bestselling author?

Have you written a book but have no idea how to sell it?

Can you envision your message in the hands of thousands of readers?

Unlock the secrets to epic book sales with Susan Neal's book How to Sell 1,000 Books a Month. Whether you're a new writer or an experienced author looking to elevate your marketing tactics, this book offers a treasure of insights to significantly boost your sales and increase the effective outreach of your unique message.

Susan Neal, an award-winning author and seasoned marketer, condenses years of successful sales and marketing strategies into practical steps that can turn your book into an award-winning bestseller. Learn how to:

• Create a focused and polished manuscript
• Captivate and grow your audience
• Master the art of online marketing
• Leverage social media to build a compelling author brand
• Use keywords to boost your book's visibility
• Harness the power of reviews, blogs, and podcasts to increase sales

This guide doesn't just tell you what to do—it shows you how to do it, with detailed action plans tailored for both new and veteran authors. From building a robust marketing plan to planning a book launch to navigating the complexities of Amazon ads, Susan covers everything you need to know to reach—and surpass—your book sales goals.

Get a copy of Susan's new book "How to Sell 1000 Books a Month" here: https://amzn.to/46pG6qy

Author Bio As a certified writer coach, Susan Neal, RN, MBA, MHS, desires to help others professionally publish and effectively market their divine-inspired message. She is the author of nine healthy living books.

Susan is the CEO of Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA), Christian Authors Network (CAN), Christian Indie Awards, and CAN Marketing Awards. She is also the Director of the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference. You can find Susan at SusanUNeal.com.