If your goal is to be published somewhere--anywhere--to build up credits that will open the door to larger publications, the religious market is a good place to begin.
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Study the market
Determine what publishers are looking for and where you will fit in. Many religious/spiritual magazines are limited to a single denomination, whereas others attract a general audience.
All religious publications operate according to a particular slant--from conservative to liberal. Some are family oriented. Others focus on world events with a peace/justice theme.
Studying Writers' Market and leafing through magazines in a library or bookstore are good ways to begin. Find a publication that looks like a comfortable fit for you.
My focus here is on magazines, but the same principles apply to books, on-line writing, flyers, and tracts.
Content
Most magazines reserve their articles on theology for recognized religious leaders such as professional ministers, priests, rabbis or others, but almost all have plenty of space for other writers.
Many editors seek first-person stories about faith or personal spiritual experiences. These can be your own, or those of someone you know or have interviewed. Some to consider: Angels on Earth and Alive Now!
Additionally, most religious magazines accept articles on travel, child rearing, finance, health and other topics of general interest. In such articles there is no need to mention God or make any religious reference at all. The writer simply needs to keep the tone clean and family friendly. Some examples are Mature Living and Parents & Teens.
A few, including Christian Century and Sojourners accept poetry.
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