Suggested Guidelines:

1. Size:

* Length: 550 words (+ or - 10%).    see some examples

* Your devotion should be a "complete thought" (not requiring the reader to click "...more".)

If you want to say more, you can request publication of a longer article on the same subject with a link from your devotion to your article.

2. Deadline:

* Devotions are distributed on Tuesday mornings. Your deadline is the Friday before your distribution date.

3. Audience:

* Each devotion is emailed to 2,500 believers, mostly from New England, of varied backgrounds who have expressed an interest in hearing what is on each others heart and working together for revival across lines that might normally separate us. 

* Subscribe and unsubscribe functions enable circulation to evolve and grow.

* New England Devotions 2008! are featured in the monthly e-letters and on websites of cooperating ministries such as New England Alliance, Covenant for New England, New England Concerts of Prayer, etc.

Some Ideas for Topics:

One of the purposes of New England Devotions is well expressed by Dr. Roberto Miranda when he said, "We are seeking to find how to include all the different streams in the Body of Christ so beautiful and so mutually complementary and reinforcing. We want the Lord to teach us how to be comfortable around each other, to learn from each other and to bless each other."

New England Devotions builds a collection of views based on the Word of God with the prayer that it will aid readers and writers alike in understanding what God is doing through His Church in New England today. Many readers are interested in hearing what is on your heart, not only for New England, but how it impacts the nation and the world. Here are some thoughts that might help you pick a topic:

1. Elements and practices which lead to spiritual vitality and effectiveness in Christian service 

2. Ways God's Spirit is leading us to renewal and awakening in New England 

3. The scriptural call to unity and what attitudes and changes are required for true functional unity to occur, i.e. the basis for Christian unity: (essentials and incidentals) 

4. Examples of regional or local renewal that you have witnessed or experienced, e.g. congregational, individual or secular

5. Spiritual Attitudes, practices and beliefs where God is leading His people as He prepares us for His next great move in New England (similar to #1 above)

6. Reflections on such topics as holiness, the fullness of the Spirit, prayer and intercession, spiritual warfare, signs and wonders, bearing the Fruit of the Spirit 

7. The Scriptural call and basis for social activism 

8. Needs for, limits to and benefits of spiritual authority 

9. How to carry out effective evangelism in the post-modern, "pre-Christian" culture (NOTE: the term "pre-Christian" acknowledges we may be at today's "square one" of a fresh advance)

10. How to overcome Obstacles to developing and executing a common Church strategy

11. Reflections on the concept of Covenant 

12. Reflections on the history and characteristics of true revival

Ideas for Presentation:

As God leads you, remember to focus on your main point and tie it to Scripture. Keep your devotion fresh and meaningful for today's believers. Consider including:

* Humor to make your point

* An interesting story or testimony from your area, ministry or life experience

* An answer to a salient question you may have been asked recently

* Resolutions or insights into issues gained from experience in your area or your ministry

* A highlight from one of your recent sermons or teaching series

* A reference to a timely Christian holiday story or teaching

* Poems, lyrics to songs, quotes, etc. that help make your point