Writer Onboarding Questionnaire

“Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28)

Writing an article for the Bible Answers Project (BAP) might be one of the most rewarding things you ever do.

It might also be one of the most difficult.

Have you counted the cost?

The BAP Article Creation Process

Step	Description
Step 1	Writer selects topic from possibilities suggested by Editor
Step 2	Editor provides Article Brief to Writer
Step 3	Writer drafts article and submits for review by Editor
Step 4	Editor grades article using SEO software
Step 5	Writer and Editor polish article via Google Docs
Step 6	Editor publishes article in WordPress

Step 1 of 2

50%

Do You Understand BAP's Expectations?

Which Bible Answers Project (BAP) articles have you read?

If you have not read at least one of the following articles word-for-word, in its entirety, please do not go any further before you have done so.

What Kind of Woman Was Esther in the Bible?

Praying for the Soul to Rest in Peace

What Are Some Examples of Hope in the Bible?

Why Are There 73 Books in the Bible Used by Roman Catholics?

The Most Powerful Verse In The Bible

The Power of Prayer in the Bible

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

How Many Times Does the Bible Record that Jesus Wept?

What is the Shortest Book in the Bible?

What Does the Double Rainbow Mean in the Bible?

The Birth of Jesus, in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke

Spiritual Ringing in the Ears: What the Bible Says

Places Jesus Went According To The Bible

What is the Biblical Significance of the Number “Six”?

The Power of a Woman: What Does The Bible Say?

Prayers Jesus Prayed in the Bible

Mission(Required)

I understand that the mission of the BAP is to publish top-quality content addressing the most popular Bible-related search queries from a confessional Presbyterian and Reformed perspective.

Goal(Required)

I understand that the goal of BAP is to point website visitors to the Scriptures and to Jesus Christ and to call them to faith, repentance, and participation in a local church.

Primary Intended Audience(Required)

I understand that the primary intended audience of BibleAnswersProject.org consists of ordinary people who are unfamiliar with the Bible, Jesus, and church — much less what “Reformed” and “Presbyterian” mean.

Core Principles(Required)

I understand that I am expected to work with integrity and creativity, trusting in God’s sovereignty to gather and perfect his saints (see 2 Cor. 4:1-6).

Topic Selection(Required)

I understand that BAP article topics are selected based on analysis of what Bible-related search keywords are most popular over time. Publishing “evergreen” articles is our goal. Publishing “newsy” articles is not our focus. BAP is more like an encyclopedia than a newspaper.

Article Keyword Targeting(Required)

I understand that each article is targeted to a specific, popular, Bible-related search keyword.

Research Practices(Required)

I understand that for each article I am expected to research (1) what the Bible says, (2) what the Reformed confessions/catechisms say, and (3) the top 20 Google search results for the target keyword of my article.

Editors(Required)

I understand that I will work with an Editor on each article.

Article Briefs(Required)

I understand that my Editor will provide me with an Article Brief including at least 60 additional “secondary” and “tertiary” keywords my article must mention at least once.

Article Length(Required)

I understand that most articles published by BAP are “long-form,” at least 1,500 to 3,500 words long.

Helpful, Reliable, People-First Content(Required)

I understand that each article I write must be “helpful, reliable, and people-first” as defined by Google. (See developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/creating-helpful-content.)

Highly Readable Content(Required)

I understand that my article must be written so that it can be easily understood by the average 13-year old. As a general rule, please observe the following guidelines: (1) Sentences should be 20 words or fewer. (2) Paragraphs should be five or fewer sentences and not more than 150 words. (3) Sections should not exceed 300 words without a new subheading.

References, Footnotes, and Source Citations(Required)

I understand that I am expected to set the highest possible standards of source citation. I pledge to give credit where credit is due. (Footnotes are common in BAP articles. BAP follows the Chicago Manual of Style as a general rule.)

Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar, and Style(Required)

I understand that BAP articles must conform to standard spelling, punctuation, grammar, and style. The style guide is based on the Chicago Manual of Style with some in-house rules.

Submitting Article for Editorial Review(Required)

I understand that when I submit an article for editorial review, my Editor will expect the article to meet specific manuscript formatting requirements. For example, articles must be submitted in DOCX format. Headings and sub-headings must use your word processor’s preset styles. A full list of manuscript formatting requirements is provided in BAP training materials.

Editorial Critique(Required)

I understand that my editor will dialogue with me about my article and critique certain aspects. I am willing to take constructive criticism and understand that there may be one or more “back-and-forth” sessions in which the article goes from Writer to Editor and back again before it’s ready for publication.

Collaborating with Editors via Google Docs(Required)

I understand that my Editor will provide feedback on my article via Google Docs, and that I will be expected to use Google Docs to respond to my Editor’s feedback.

I understand that BAP will own the copyright of any article I publish on a BAP website.

Honoraria(Required)

I understand that BAP provides financial honoraria to Writers and Editors, as funds are available, after articles are published.

W9(Required)

I understand that in order to receive honoraria, I must provide a completed IRS Form W-9 to the BAP bookkeeper.

Writer Information

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Church Name(Required)

What is the name of your church?

Church Address(Required)

What is the address of your church?

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Church Denominational Affiliation(Required)

What denomination is your church a part of?

Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP)

Canadian and American Reformed Churches (CanRC)

L’Église réformée du Québec (ERQ)

Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA)

Heritage Reformed Congregations (HRC)

Korean American Presbyterian Church (KAPC)

Korean Presbyterian Church in America (Kosin) (KPCA)

Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC)

Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)

Presbyterian Reformed Church (PresRC)

Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS)

Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA)

United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA)

Other (please specify in the comments field at the end of this form)

Church Website

Church Office/Role(Required)

What is your role or office in your church?

Member

Deacon

Ruling Elder

Teaching Elder / Pastor

Other (please specify in the Comments field at the end of this form)

Letters of Recommendation

If you are not a member of a church in one of the NAPARC denominations, please attached three letters of recommendation. Each letter of recommendation must be written by someone who is a member of a church in one of the NAPARC denominations, or a church officer in one of the NAPARC denominations. Each recommendation letter must be in PDF format.

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 96 MB, Max. files: 3.

Writer Biography(Required)

Please provide a short bio (1 or 2 sentences) that includes your name, church affiliation, and any special Bible-related expertise. What you provide here will be used as the basis of the bio published with any future articles you may write.

Comments