Write for The Covenant Companion
The Covenant Companion is the denominational magazine of the Evangelical Covenant Church. We share stories and voices that connect, inform, and inspire readers to engage with the mission of the Covenant Church. The Companion is a digital publication with two biannual print issues (Winter and Summer).
We welcome submissions from across the Covenant. Our readers come from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and life experiences, and we aim to serve a wide range of ages, regions, and theological perspectives.
What We Publish
We publish story-forward pieces that are spiritually rooted and relevant to Covenant life today, including:
- Narrative features and profiles
- Reported stories from across the denomination
- First-person reflections from your spiritual journey
- Thoughtful pieces connecting Scripture, discipleship, and the lived experience of Covenant communities
- Arts and culture features exploring creativity, imagination, and vocation
- Reviews and recommendations (books, music, podcasts, film, and resources that support faith and discipleship)
Before You Write
A few notes that will strengthen your piece and help us serve readers well:
Write it as a Story
Strong openings often begin with a person, moment, scene, or lived tension—not an overview. Help pull your reader in with an illustration that captures their attention.
Be Specific
Concrete details are more powerful than broad claims. Helpful specifics include:
- Where is this happening?
- Who is involved?
- What does this actually look like on the ground?
- What has changed, and why?
Provide Context
Please define acronyms, organizations and partnerships, denominational relationships, and any key terminology. Assume some readers will be new to your context.
Show Why it Matters
Help readers understand the “so what” for Covenant life: what can we learn, how is God at work, and what does faithful discipleship look like here?
Keep the Tone Clear and Constructive
We’re aiming for writing that is warm, clear, and accessible, without oversimplifying. For reviews and arts coverage, we value discernment, clarity, and constructive critique over hype or promotional language.
What to Avoid
To serve readers well, please avoid:
- Donation appeals in the body of the piece (if appropriate, we can include a link at the end)
- Ministry newsletter / annual report tone
- Unexplained jargon or assumed knowledge
- Abstract statements without grounding examples
Format
Length
Typical length ranges vary by section and topic, but most submissions fall within:
- 800–1,500 words (unless otherwise requested)
File Format
- Word document (.docx) preferred
- Google doc (with shared permissions on)
Photos
If you have photos available, please include 2–5 high-resolution images with brief captions, photo credit, and confirmation that the photos may be published (including permissions when needed).
Style Guidelines
The Covenant Companion follows the latest Chicago Manual of Style for capitalization, punctuation, and general usage.
AI Use
We welcome thoughtful writing that reflects real lived experience, theological depth, and care for the reader.
- Submissions must be the author’s original work.
- We do not accept pieces that are primarily generated by AI tools.
- Authors may use AI for limited support (such as brainstorming, outlining, or grammar help), but the voice, reflection, and final composition must be distinctly your own.
- If AI was used in a substantial way (beyond basic editing support), please disclose that in your submission email.
How to Submit
Send your pitch or draft to: editors@covchurch.org
When submitting, please include:
- Your proposed title
- A 2–3 sentence summary
- Estimated word count
- Your name, role, and connection to the Covenant
What Happens Next
Editing Process
Our editorial team reviews submissions and will follow up if your piece is a fit for an upcoming issue, theme, or publishing window.
If accepted, the publication process typically includes:
- An editorial review (structure, clarity, length, tone, and audience fit)
- Copyediting for style, consistency, and readability
- A final review before publication
We may suggest edits or request revisions, and we reserve the right to edit for clarity, length, style, and consistency while preserving your voice.
Thank you for sharing your story with the Covenant!
