Standing on guard with our words

By Denise Budd Rumble  |  Thursday, April 12, 2012

GUELPH, ON—Canadians have a reputation for being polite, unassuming and humble. But we're proud too—the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics demonstrated a fierce national pride in our country, culture, and identity.

So why then, is the Canadian market flooded with American books, magazines, movies, and music? Many Canadian magazines and newspapers have printed their last issue and others struggle. Canadian publishing houses have closed or are being "merged" with American publishers.

Recently, a Canadian writer was thrilled to receive a contract from a major U.S. Christian publishing house. Excitement grew as she saw the proposed advance payment. Then her heart plummeted. There was one non-negotiable condition—her story, with Canadian location, characters, and history, had to be moved to the United States with U.S. culture, characters, and history.

It's been said that a writer's mission is to testify about humankind and their circumstances. Who but a Canadian can write from a Canadian perspective? If Canadians don't write about Canada, and insist on including Canadian culture in their work, will our grandchildren even have the choice to read about Canada? How will the stories of what God has done in Canada live on?

Launched in 2002, The Word Guild seeks to address this issue. The Word Guild is an association of Canadian writers and editors who are Christian. Its members believe there is great power in both the written and spoken word, and that Jesus Christ is the ultimate "Word" (John 1:1).

From coast to coast to coast, The Word Guild members write for Christian and mainstream markets. Its individual voices reverberate through books, articles, song lyrics, drama, poetry, blogs, and more—Canadian and Christian. And, the best of these are celebrated through the annual Canadian Christian Writing Awards.

As The Word Guild celebrates its tenth anniversary, it is inviting more Canadians to become involved. Join The Word Guild in saving the Canadian story.

Will you pray that the voices of Canadians who are Christian will be heard, that the words will change Canada for God's glory? Or perhaps you'd consider investing financially?

And together our voices resound, "God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee."

Denise Rumble is managing director of The Word Guild. For more information, e-mail her at info@thewordguild.com.

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