Last week final approved was given for the document on Comment writing and distributed to all within in the young writer program.
Christian Today Editor asked the three senior writer editors to bring a document on Comment writing.
- Aira Chilcott
- Neville Hiatt
- Sheelagh Wegman
Along with Russell Modlin - master’s writer, inaugural chair of the Brain’s Trust and the young writer rep. on the board of Well-Being Australia. The CT Editor also had input.
This document below is the approved result.
We have a Style Guide how to physically set out your article - and now - Comment Article document.
Thank you to Aira Chilcott (science background) who coordinated this effort. Retired educator and regular OM youth guide leader to India. Her late husband Bill went to Glory three months ago. He was one of the young writer statisticians.
Content Guidelines for Comment Articles
Christian Today Background
The Young Writer’s Programme was established to enable Young Writers to gain confidence in developing and expressing their views through writing comment articles and to voice their faith in Christ to their generation. Many writers continue submitting articles even after they no longer fit the “Young” criterion.
Christian Today Australia's vision stems from the calling to establish the kingdom of God on earth through media by serving as a platform from which Truth is presented according to Matthew 5:37, "simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No, 'No.'"
The publication aims to bring unity among Christians across all denominations. The diversity of insights and experiences of each writer are valued and provide a witness to readers of their Christian faith.
Comment articles are an opportunity for writers to reflect current affairs issues back to the readers, from the viewpoint of those who normally do not have a voice in society. Writers can express opinions on historical, theological, church, community, political or social topics. Comment articles are not devotionals or sermons.
Guidelines
In keeping with the vision statement above, comment articles should follow these guidelines:
- The articles are the writer’s own personal comment about an issue or a situation. They do not have the right to say that readers should agree with them or follow their train of thought. They should not be abusive but courteous, as everyone is entitled to an opinion.
- Where an issue is controversial or divisive
- Be non-judgemental. Writers should be able to express their disagreement with an opinion without condemning or judging the holder of the opinion.
- Be encouraging. It is always helpful to read and try to understand a perspective different from ours – writers should persuade readers to examine evidence and be prepared to acknowledge a different point of view.
- Above all, remember that this is a ministry during which writers seek to present the gospel in the hope of drawing readers to Jesus through their words. Scriptural principles:
- Speaking the truth in love, growing to maturity (Eph 4:15)
- Having grace and being wise towards non-Christians (Col 4:4-5)
- Not causing young or vulnerable people to stumble (1 Cor 10:31-33)
- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Ps 111:10), which is another way of asking “What would Jesus say?”
Conclusion
Russell Modlin, senior writer and inaugural head of the Brains Trust, states that we “can be controversial and give a comment. I always like to use the time I had articles supporting the war in Iraq and against the war in Iraq. They were argued well, were based on scripture, pointed people to Jesus, and helped the readers to "consider" their opinion.”
Christian Today is the final arbiter.
Christian Today is the final arbiter. CT Editor summarised as thus - The truth presented by Christian Today is the truth gauged by the Bible – the comment articles should first be Bible-centred, specifically from an Evangelical point of view and statements of faith.
Consult team: Aira Chilcott, Neville Hiatt, Sheelagh Wegman, Russell Modlin