“Fearlessly expanding the feminine voice in our churches, communities
and culture.” Redbud Writers
I have received several contacts lately from Christian women who are trying to figure out their calling and determine if writing to the glory of God is a ministerial effort they should pursue. I don’t have the answers to all of that, but I do know that we can get distracted along the way with everyone else telling us what we should be doing if we are not clear about what God wants us to do right now. So the sooner we can discern all of that—and hold the revelation loosely so that God can continually shape and mold as He chooses—the better.
Personally, my writing ministry was unexpected. It was not something I actively pursued. Sure, I started writing purposefully as an English major in undergrad, but did not intentionally write for several years afterward. Then one day, I started writing again. I shared with a few writer friends that I might be interested in cultivating my writing skills for the purpose of ministry. I started blogging in 2010, for the dual purpose of challenging and encouraging women through the Word of God, and disciplining myself concerning the frequency of writing. I was encouraged and nurtured through connections and a community of writers—first, the Synergy Women’s Network @SynergyWN and secondly, the Redbud Writer’s Guild @redbudwriters. The rest, as you can say, “Is (shaping) history.”
If you are a Christian woman, who may have aspirations for writing…if you are a leader who does not shrink back from the opportunities you have to influence others…if you believe God has important work to do in and through you—to change our local congregations, the universal church, our communities, culture, and the world, then you should consider connecting through the Redbud Writer’s Guild.
Here is a word about the heart and mission of Redbud from Co-Founder and Board Member, Shayne Moore:
One evening a group of four Chicago-area writers met to discuss the writing life. Some of us were complete strangers to one another, but we were all longing to connect with other women who understood our crazy lives spent juggling the calling of writing, speaking ministry and family — lives that didn’t always look like those of our friends. We left that first meeting blessed with a taste of the connection and community we sought.
What we didn’t realize was many isolated and creative women of faith were searching for the exact thing — connection and community. Within a year our group grew from four to over a dozen. Our commitment to each other, to supporting and encouraging one another in our writing and ministry, as well as nurturing a safe place for women to share ideas, dreams and their truth, proved to be an irresistible draw.
Isolated women and writers no longer, we became Redbud Writers Guild — Christian women committed to creating in community.
Redbud is an organic experiment. It is alive. Our membership now represents communities from all over the United States, with members in Canada and Mexico. We interact on Facebook, Twitter, email, face-to-face manuscript groups, meet-ups, and at our annual retreat.
Redbud is happy to announce new membership is open and we are again receiving and reviewing applications. Our desire is to see our community expand and thrive.
Redbud is about invitation and inclusion. You are invited to use your voice and make a difference in our world.
If interested, please visit our New Membership Information resources.
Our Vision
We envision a vibrant and diverse movement of women who—in community—create and influence culture and faith.
Our Mission
Redbud nurtures a network and community of women who create rather than merely consume. We are a group of writers and communicators who publish, speak and blog to empower women to use their voices to be world-changers. We are committed to supporting all Redbud members. We create and maintain community by meeting regularly, connecting through social media outlets, and networking through our various channels of influence.
Redbud provides women with needed support and tools to be effective writers and communicators in today’s world such as manuscript and media mentoring and review, networking, writing conferences, blogging opportunities, resources, camaraderie and community.
Our Values
Faith
As a community of Christ-following women, we recognize the wide diversity of theological convictions existing both today and across history. We believe by creating in community our faith journeys will continue to unfold. We encourage all Redbud Writers Guild members to uphold their individual faith traditions and honor one another. To this end, we invite all Redbud members to embrace the wisdom of St. Augustine: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.”
Women
We value the feminine perspective too often silenced or dismissed in our world. We have a heart for women. Redbud desires to empower women to use their voices and recognize their influence.
Safety
We believe safety is foundational to the creative process and we strive to make Redbud a safe place. This includes a spirit of non-competition.
Collective
We celebrate and respect our unity amidst our diversity. We believe being part of a collective voice helps to amplify our individual voices.
Covenant
Understanding we are all flawed, we covenant with one another to respect each other’s differences and to never represent Redbud in a way that might be harmful to another member. We covenant always to speak well of one another, especially in public circles. We are committed to promoting each other’s work. As a covenant group, we see ourselves as a fellowship, a sorority, a tight community. We take our mission and vision seriously, and we strive to present Redbud and its members in this light.
© Natasha Sistrunk Robinson and Shayne Moore 2013
A SISTA'S JOURNEY 