Thomas Devenish, Hobart
The Press Service International young writer program in conjunction with Christian Today has each Week's editor or coordinator write a review of their week the week after publication.
This is published in the weekly young writer memo and on the young writers private closed Facebook page.
As this is a new venture recommended by the young writer brain's trust chair Sam Gillespie from Sydney and it has been functioning very well.
International young writer's Week
15-19 January
Reviewer - Aira Chilcott
At the start of a fresh new year, it is not surprising that most of the International Young Writers focused on newness last week. However, they were not writing so much about their resolutions as the need to align ourselves with God’s resolutions for us – to live in His strength, relying on His Spirit, realizing that God makes things new every day.
The problem with a new year is that a new you doesn’t come with it. Any change takes effort – it doesn’t just happen. The strongest challenge was posed by Cindy Cheng, who asked herself if she would still believe God if He didn’t answer her prayer.
Other themes were making and treasuring friends and the need to re-establish ourselves with the Lord rather than getting stuck in a rut of the familiar.
The beauty of our Young Writers is that they each have a unique way of looking at things. Even though themes may be similar, they bring different experiences and backgrounds to their writing, which is refreshing in itself. All worth a read!
Cindy Cheng, Beijing China
Week 2 review - Tom Anderson
22-26 January
This is the first time I have read more than two or three of the Christian Today articles in a week.
I was therefore introduced to authors that are new to me and read about topics I would have otherwise missed. So here are a few brief thoughts on this round of Week 2 articles after reading through all of them in one sitting.
Topics ranged broadly from encouraging pieces about the pursuit of a deeper faith, to beautiful personal anecdotes about God’s goodness.
Some common themes that I picked up on were worry, prayer, relationships and developing a genuine faith. The articles were supported by well-selected bible verses and smatterings of research.
The articles that grabbed my attention included the short and punchy writings of Thomas Devenish and Sarah Urmston, Aneleise Farrer’s bold and necessary tackling of the issue of sexual harassment, and Jesse Moore’s polished piece about lessons we can learn from the church’s inaction during Nazi Germany. I’m also a fan of Miranda Menelaws’ warm, honest style.
Overall, I was impressed by the consistently high quality of the articles and the willingness of the writers to speak earnestly about topical, difficult and personal subject-matter.
Sarah Urmston, Sydney
Week 3 Reviewer - Tim Price
29 January – 2 February
The January Week 3 articles provided mountains of inspiration for the beginning of 2018! Fresh takes on New Year’s resolutions and practical ways to grow in God were perfect theme bedfellows.
All the articles were warmly written and included relatable personal anecdotes and do-able action steps for embracing the future in light of lessons from the past and present.
Towering aspirations at the beginning of each New Year often turn into regrets when we fail to follow through because of our common humanity. Shannon reminded us that it’s ok to be honest about our internal wrestlings with God as long as we use them as opportunities to grow in our faith.
Other articles encouraged us to look at our failures as fuel for personal transformation and testimonies of God’s grace, and to grow in our awareness of others’ needs.
I enjoyed hearing about how others take practical steps to grow in their relationship with God and to better their lives in selfless and Christ-centred ways.
Clarissa suggested maintaining a daily thankfulness journal as a way to maintain joy through the ups and downs of daily life, and her idea of goal making in specific areas of our lives is a great way to foster intentionality in light of larger New Year’s aspirations.
These articles were a great way to start 2018 because the writers used what God is doing in their owns lives to encourage readers to think in a simultaneously optimistic and practical way about their maturing walk with God and hopes and plans for this new year.
Jesse Moore, Sunshine Coast
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at