I have learned, sometimes the hard way, that writing may happen in solitude, but publishing a book is never a solo act. There comes a point in every project when I am reminded that no amount of discipline, prayer, or experience replaces the need for others to walk alongside me. Not because I lack commitment, but because God never designed ministry, including writing, to be carried by one set of shoulders.
When Growth Reveals New Needs
Acts 6 opens with a growing church and a very real problem. As the number of believers increased, some widows were being overlooked, not out of cruelty, but because growth exposed gaps that had not existed before. What strikes me is that the apostles did not dismiss the concern or spiritualize it away. They acknowledged that something important was being missed.
Growth has a way of doing that. It stretches systems, exposes blind spots, and forces us to admit that what once worked is no longer enough. Writing a book can feel similar. Early drafts may only involve the author and an editor, but as publication approaches, the needs multiply. Fresh eyes, careful readers, and thoughtful feedback become essential, not optional.
“It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables… Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.”
— Acts 6:2–3
Serving According to Calling
Rather than trying to manage everything themselves, the apostles made a wise and humble decision. They protected their primary calling to prayer and the ministry of the Word, while inviting others, those known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom, to step into a different but equally valuable role.
This matters deeply to me as an author. There is sometimes a temptation to believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness or lack of preparation. Acts 6 gently corrects that thinking. Delegation was not avoidance. It was obedience. It honored both the message and the people entrusted to support it.
In the same way, inviting others into the final stages of a book is not handing off responsibility. It is recognizing that God equips different people for different tasks, and that all of them matter.
Ministry thrives when people serve according to their calling, not when one person tries to do everything alone.
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The Quiet Ministry of Those Who Serve Behind the Scenes
One detail in Acts 6 that never fails to steady me is this: the men chosen to serve tables were required to be full of the Spirit. Their work was practical, detailed, and largely unseen, yet Scripture places no hierarchy on its value.
That truth applies directly to those who serve as Advanced Reader Copy participants. ARC readers step in quietly, often without recognition, to read carefully, question gently, and catch what others may have missed. They notice inconsistencies, typos, and moments that need clarity, sometimes even after professional editing has taken place. Their role is not glamorous, but it is essential.
This is not about promotion. It is about partnership. An ARC reader is the final person to walk through the manuscript before it is released into the world, and that position carries both responsibility and trust.
Why I Cannot—and Should Not—Do This Alone
As I prepare for the release of Keeper of My Heart, Book 6 in the Discerning God’s Best series, I am reminded again that this work reflects the pattern we see in Acts 6. Writing the story is part of my calling. Walking it faithfully toward publication requires the giftedness of others.
When people step into that role, they are not simply helping an author. They are participating in ministry. They are helping ensure that the story is clear, careful, and worthy of the message it carries.
Acts 6 ends with growth, not because everyone did more, but because everyone did what they were called to do. That remains true today.
Invitation
If you feel drawn to walk alongside me in this season, particularly as an ARC reader for Keeper of My Heart, I would be grateful. This is shared work, done prayerfully, and it matters more than many realize.
ARC (Advance Reader Copy) readers receive an early copy of Keeper of My Heart and commit to reading the book by April 7, 2026. Along the way, they help by catching any lingering errors, and by sharing the story with others through honest reviews on designated sites and thoughtful mentions on social media, in ways that feel natural to them. Because this is an active, participatory team, there are a few requirements involved. If this sounds like a good fit, I’d love for you to take a moment to apply through the ARC application so I can be sure this team is a good match for both of us.