We're always looking for thoughtful writers who sit at the intersection of faith, culture, leadership, justice, and real life. If that's you, we'd love to hear from you.
800–2,000 words for standard articles. Long-form articles up to 3,500 words are accepted when the topic warrants it. We'd rather have something tight and powerful than long and padded.
All submissions must be original and unpublished. We do not accept pieces that have appeared elsewhere — including other websites, blogs, or your own newsletter.
We review every pitch within 2–3 weeks. If we're interested, we'll reach out to discuss the piece further. If you haven't heard back in 4 weeks, feel free to send a brief follow-up.
Accepted pieces go through our editorial process, which may include structural edits, cuts, and rewrites for clarity. We collaborate — we won't change your voice without conversation.
We're currently a volunteer-contributor platform. Writers receive a full author bio, social promotion to our 15K+ audience, and the opportunity to grow alongside a fast-moving publication.
You retain copyright of your work. By submitting, you grant The Relevant Leader the right to publish, promote, and archive the piece. You may republish after 90 days with attribution.
We write like we're talking to a thoughtful friend who takes faith seriously. Not a professor, not a preacher — a friend. That means contractions are fine, rhetorical questions are welcome, and showing up honestly on the page matters more than sounding impressive.
"I've been thinking about this for years, and I still don't have a clean answer. But here's what I've learned..."
"This article will examine the theological implications of the contemporary phenomenon of spiritual deconstruction."
Open with a scene, a question, or a moment — not a thesis statement. Let the reader in before you start making your argument. End with something that opens a door rather than closes one.
"It was the third Sunday I'd sat in the back pew without crying. I wasn't sure if that was progress or something worse."
"In today's polarized culture, faith leaders face unprecedented challenges that require nuanced responses."
Use scripture when it illuminates, not when it just sounds authoritative. Cite references naturally (John 1:14, not "The Holy Bible says in John chapter 1 verse 14..."). You don't need to explain every theological concept — our readers are educated. Trust them.
"The incarnation is not just a doctrine — it's the posture God took toward a broken world. That changes how we show up."
"According to John 3:16, God so loved the world. This verse teaches us that God loves us very much and wants us to believe in Him."
We engage hard topics — we just don't let partisan politics do the driving. You can write about immigration, race, economics, or sexuality. Write about the issue, not the team. Don't tell readers who to vote for. Do challenge them to think.
"Both sides of the immigration debate claim the moral high ground. What if the question isn't who's right — it's who's being seen?"
"Christians who vote for [party] are clearly not reading their Bibles. The answer is obvious if you care about justice."
Submit as a Google Doc or plain .docx. Use simple headings (H2 only — no H3+). No footnotes. Hyperlinks welcome where relevant. Don't embed images — we'll source those editorially. Include a 2–3 sentence author bio and a suggested headline (we may change it).
Tell us what you're working on. A strong pitch is 2–3 sentences: what the piece is about, why it matters to our readers right now, and what perspective you bring. You don't need a completed draft — a compelling idea is enough to start the conversation.
We'll review your submission and get back to you within 2–4 weeks. In the meantime, feel free to explore the rest of the site. We're glad you're here.
Already been accepted as a contributor? Fill out your writer profile below. This information will appear on your published articles and in our contributor directory. Take your time — a strong bio builds trust with readers.
Your contributor profile is now on file. We'll publish it alongside your first article. We're excited to have your voice in The Relevant Leader community.