The SHOUT IT Ministries Covenant

Websites and buffet tables. They’re two entirely different things right? Wrong. Actually, they are more alike than you would be led to believe. Like buffet tables, there is a vast amount of different types of “content” that cater to everyone on the web. With any buffet table, you’ve got to serve tasty, satisfying “content” to keep them coming back for more. In the Christian community, there is massive amounts of information available on the web covering apologetics, discipleship, worship, devotional readings, and current news. If it’s not appealing, it wouldn’t be “consumed” and instead left on the table growing cold. There’s also the fact that if you give out too much “content” in a small amount of time; the people you’re catering tend to fill up too quickly. It’s better to steady but surely supply your “content” at a reasonable pace. And lastly, desserts are usually saved for last when eating from a buffet table. Likewise with a website, there is a certain amount of time needed to grow, expand, and improve the overall “content” until it reaches a point where your patience and anticipation is rewarded with something sweet. What’s my point? A website needs to set itself apart from the pack, create a brand image regards if you’re selling a product, service, or idea, and ultimately achieve an acquired aim of why it exists in the first place. And this website is in existence for a reason as well.

What makes SHOUT IT Ministries here at http://www.shoutitforlife.com unique? I believe now is the time address and answer this question. Believe it or not we’re quickly approaching Year 3 of SHOUT IT Ministries and have come quite a long ways since then. Here are the seven main reasons on why SHOUT IT Ministries is distinctly set apart from your usual blogging website you’ll find on the internet:

Christ as the Cornerstone Over a Constructed Concept (Authenticity)

The main vision and underlining goal of SHOUT IT Ministries is help you the reader and participant on this site to grow closer in your walk with Christ. The slogan: “Know the Truth. Live the Truth. Be the Truth.” is an essential principle in the Christian life. Essentially, Christ is the truth (John 14:6) and our purpose here on earth is to draw closer in a deep, intimate relationship with God, living in a way that reflects his love to others, and ultimately becoming like Christ. The popular worldview of the church today is to fall in love with the “idea” and “concept” of Christ along with His teachings. We spend our days singing about Him, reading about Him, talking about Him, and listening to others talk about Him–but that’s as far as we get most of the time. Being a follower of Christ is what Francis Chan calls, “Crazy Love.” It’s because of the profound truth that the God of the universe loves us more than we can possibly imagine that we can’t help but respond back with a burning passion to love Him back. Put simply, it’s all about relationships between ourselves, others, and God. This is the heart and soul of SHOUT IT Ministries to make love our cry and calling in every compartment of our lives.

Capturing Content that’s Challenging and Convicting (Aspiration)

“Content is king” is the number one principle taught to new and aspiring bloggers. It isn’t rocket science. If you don’t write material that is useful, interesting, and relevant than your blog will be left in the dust. The material you’ll find at SHOUT IT Ministries follows this logic, but takes it to another level. It isn’t enough just to give you want you to read. You also need content that you need to read. This is far more important! In other words, we can write on topics that make you feel good about yourself, boast your ego, and this website will soar to new heights in its readership and popularity. But at the end of the day, we have failed to fulfill my calling. What’s missing? Content that convicts the reader to do something. To get out of their comfort zone. To change their lifestyle. To make a difference. What you read may not always sit well with you. You may not always agree with the material you come across. This should happen from time to time. But keep an open mind to new ideas, concepts, and ways to view the world that you may have not thought of before. You wouldn’t find the same old fluff you find on other blogging websites here. We promise you this, though: The content is Biblically based, pertaining to the Christian worldview, and essential for your overall growth in Christ. Content may be king for website material, but Christ is the King of Kings. And that is where our focus needs to lie.

Creating a Colorful Culture of Creativity (Artistry)

Creativity may be the number one overlooked concept in regards to blogging these days. In the rush to keep material fresh and new, bloggers sacrifice the artistic look, feel, and design of their overall site. Here at SHOUT IT Ministries, creativity is an essential ingredient for growth and development. It isn’t enough just to give you the bare necessities and think that’s enough. It isn’t! As you may have observed in reading blogs and in this blog you’re reading here—Alliteration is more than just a cool fad, but an underlining theme here. Allowing many different viewpoints on Christianity is also a must. As more time passes, it is my vision to create a entire community of bloggers who share the Christian worldview in their own unique style and voice. This website itself will continue to improve visually and in featured content. Good isn’t good enough. Being satisfied with the status quo is not acceptable. Also having fun should be encouraged not discouraged while visiting a blogging site! Often times, bloggers keep so caught up what they’re doing that they forget to have fun in the process. If we’re not having fun in what we’re doing, then most likely you aren’t either with your time spent on a website. Essentially, creativity is more than just a concept but a culture that needs to correspond into everything we partake in with SHOUT IT Ministries.

Communicating the Core Components of Christianity (Altogether)

Christianity can be seen as simple as it gets in regards to how to live your life and incredibly complex at the same time. While focusing on one specific topic of Christianity isn’t wrong; here at SHOUT IT Ministries we believe that it is critical to form a solid worldview of all aspects of the Christian walk. The core principles/components are as follows: Stand Up, Holiness, Outrageous, Unite, Thankfulness, Integrity, and Tell Them. Each covers the essentials that need to be carried out to fully life for Christ and in to walk in His ways. These components are relayed through the many different ministries that are set in place throughout the website. Each is distinct yet holds true to same foundational principles. It’s not enough to say, “Love your neighbors” , “Give to the poor”, or “Read the Bible”. Without a solid foundation of why these practices are important, how to go about doing them, and what else to build around these actions–you’ll be left with a incomplete picture of the Christian worldview. This is not to say that every single topic or answer concerning the faith can be found here. Instead, we’ll address the core components that help form a solid and complete picture of what a walk with Christ looks like. The information is limitless, of course, on what can be covered. And that’s what makes SHOUT IT Ministries unique. We’re not just focusing in on one specific area of Christianity, but on the grand scale of things. This allows for continual growth, development, and unlimited possibilities! And gives you the reader, a means to form a worldview that is solid Biblically; enabling you to live the life you were meant to live.

Choosing to Care with Compassion and Character (Appreciation)

Another often ignored aspect of blogging is allowing the readers and members of your website to voice their opinions. Share their thoughts. Having a sense of belonging. Shouldn’t this be the overall whole purpose of writing blogs in the first place? Make no mistake, it does take a lot more effort, time, commitment, and drive to make this possible. As with SHOUT IT Ministries, we want to create a community of believers who share their thoughts on the Christian worldview, their opinions of current topics, ideas on how to reach others in need, a place of prayer for those hurting and in need of comfort, and fellowship and grow with one another. This more than any other part of SHOUT IT Ministries will take time. And lots of it. But the tools and resources are there and it’s only a matter of putting all the individual parts together to make this possible. But know this–we care about you the reader. Your opinion matters. If you don’t like something–let your voice be heard. If you want to read about something–share it with us. Have an idea for a ministry? We’ll be more than happy to hear about it. Have a prayer request. We’ll lift you up in prayer. To talk about the Christian worldview means nothing, if we ourselves are not committed to carrying out the message we proclaim to. We choose to make a conscious decision to care about you and create a place where feel like you belong. This is our appreciation proclamation!

Cultivating Catalysts in the Church to Reach the Community (Application)

There are many blogs out there today that don’t require or necessarily need to be followed by with application. But most are written with a very common theme: Do something! Whether it be to buy a product, try a new hobby, watch a television show, vote for a certain candidate–you name it. With SHOUT IT Ministries, application isn’t a suggestion–it’s an absolute must! If you only come to read the content, get your daily dose of inspiration for the day and do nothing in response–then all the work and passion put in this ministry is in vain. Action is required and a large part of your growth as a follower of Christ. It’s not enough to say you believe something, you must visually show it as well. This is not about earning salvation, but responding to God’s love with love for others. As time marches on, there will be more features, examples, methods, and ministries that help you as the body of Christ to reach your community, those in need, and the mission fields across the world. “Faith without works is dead” is the overall message from the book of James, and we at SHOUT IT Ministries believe this to be wholeheartedly true. Our vision is to help you more in helping those you have a heart for close by and around the world.

Conveying Changes with Constant Contact (Awareness)

Lastly, blogging websites usually provide poor communication skills to their audience. Usually they’re left in the dark on what the message they’re correlating (purpose), what they hope to achieve (vision), and what’s upcoming next (goals for the future). Here at SHOUT IT Ministries, nothing important worth noting is kept from you. Future blogs, content, features, and updates will be clearly communicated to you. Changes in the visual design, the overall principles, or anything else we deem critical is passed along to you. With is being said, growing pains are a part of the process. There are times when targeted dates will not be met and changes will be made on the fly. But we strive to be constantly in contact with you in many different ways to keep you informed and educated on what’s going on here at SHOUT IT Ministries. Questions are always welcome at any time. A sense of awareness is important and critically for growth and success for any website and it’s no different here either.

Contract that Corresponds to the Constructive Criticism

• We are open to ANY suggestions, comments, and even constructive criticism that you may have. Nothing is “off limits” as long as it fits with the core principles of what this website represents. Don’t be afraid to speak up!  We promise confidentiality and respect for all of your opinions!
• SHOUT IT Ministries is built upon a Biblically based worldview and is set upon its truths. After all the slogan is, “Know the Truth. Live the Truth. Be the Truth.” I will not promote a certain denomination or political view in my writings. Instead you’ll receive one thing from us–a firm foundation of Biblical based truths. You may be offended or disagree—and that’s fine. Search the truth for yourself in the Scriptures and seek God first before you accuse any of the writers of blasphemy or hypocrisy, please.  If we’re wrong–we’re wrong, and publically admit it. Not everything presented will be pleasant to read and make you feel happy inside—in other words, WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR. This isn’t our aim. Instead we want to present what you NEED TO HEAR.  It’s that simple.
• The sources used will always be sited clearly for all to see. We will give credit where credit is due. This includes pictures that are copyrighted, authors published material, and original ideas that aren’t ours.
• SHOUT IT Ministries is not meant to replace the Truth, which is God’s infallible Word.  Instead it is a group of online resources/ministries that’s main purpose is to help you see these truths and to show you how to apply them into your life.  We don’t claim to have all the answers and just like you we are growing and striving for a more complete walk with Christ. We make mistakes and don’t claim to be without error in the interpretation of the Scriptures. Our aim is stay firm in a Christ-centered view in all areas of this website.
• Finally, the glory is not ours to be had.  None the work we do is meant to glorify ourselves and showcase our talents. We’re not in it for the money, the fame, or career promotion. This is our calling and God has put in our hearts a deep passion to minister to people by using our talents to reach you. This isn’t always easy to do, but we are very determined to keep the focus off ourselves and on Christ instead.  
• Our prayer is that you are blessed through our efforts through the many unique individual ministries on this website. If you don’t already know Christ, I want you to know that you are in our prayers and God loves you more than you could possibly imagine!  We hope you begin to see this amazing truth!  If you are already a committed follower of Christ, we pray that your you are able form a more solid Christian worldview through spending time on this website.  To God be the glory!

Closing Clause that Confirms Our Commitment

As we move in Year 3 of SHOUT IT Ministries, I hope you’re as excited and anxious for what’s in store this upcoming year as we are. It’s been quite a journey to this point, and the best is yet to come! God’s dream for this ministry is far from being complete and it’s been a humbling experience to reach where we are today. I hope you’ll find the catering here to your delight, and above all that it’s what you need to help you in your spiritual growth in Christ. The “content” that we serve only promises to be more rich and satisfying in taste with time–just stay patient and you will be rewarded! You may still wondering what the aroma around you is all about with SHOUT IT Ministries. It’s never too late to grab a plate and help yourself to the appetizers available. The main course, along with the mouth-watering desserts on their way as time marches on. There is always more room at this table. So make yourself at home. This is one dining experience where the food never goes stale, never grows cold, and is always delicious. Well, what are you waiting for? Dig in!