Write the story first. Don't dream about sending off your masterpiece until your writing is complete. Proofread your story and make the necessary corrections. Participate in a writer's group or workshop. Other people's insights are useful in improving your craft.
Decide where you want your story to be published such as through a church, a religious organization or a magazine or book publisher. If you decide to publish your story through a local church, talk to the person in charge of organizing church literature --- newsletters, blogs, or magazines --- and ask about the process of submitting your story for publication.
Research the market for religious book publishers and determine what kind of writing they accept: poetry, short stories, memoirs, novels or fiction. Some churches will allow you to publish your writing on its blogs or websites without a submission process.
Learn how to write a query letter. A query letter should briefly explain your interest in the publisher and explain why your story is a good fit for their publications. For example, a fictional story depicting elements of Christianity should not be submitted to a publisher interested only in publishing non-fiction Jewish literature.Use online or manual resources to learn how to write a good query letter and peruse helpful examples. A query letter should be professional, highlight your writing background, and make a good impression on the editor. Write individual query letters for each publisher; do not mail out standard letters with only a few changes. Avoid discussing pay rates. Familiarize yourself with how to format a query letter. Your query letter should be no more than one page, single spaced in a normal font. Include your name, address, phone number and email address, as well as the contact information of the editor or agent you are addressing.
Follow the guidelines provided by each publisher. Failure to follow each publisher's rules exactly may result in immediate dismissal of your story. For example, most publishers interested only in short stories do not require a query letter, just a typed copy of your manuscript. Send your manuscript in a flat envelope through first class or priority mail --- anything else appears amateurish. Never fold your manuscript. Double-space your manuscript, include your contact information and word count on the first page, and on the following pages type your name and page number in the upper left or right corner. Include an SASE, a self-addressed stamped envelope, so that the publisher can mail you an acceptance or rejection notice.
Keep track of your submissions. Create a spreadsheet with names of publishers and the dates you submitted your manuscript. An organized spreadsheet prevents you from continually submitting to the same publisher and also provides motivation and a sense of accomplishment during the submission process.
Don't give up after rejection. Even famous writers have received multiple rejections at some point in their careers. There is a publisher for every type of story that you can imagine, and it is up to the writer to find the right publisher for their work. If you become frustrated with the submission process, take a break. Reread your work after several months and decide if the story needs to be rewritten. Continue to send out your manuscript to various publishers interested in religious stories.