This morning I have been reading the blogging church by Brian Bailey and Terry Storch. Although I’m not yet finished, it has been a fascinating read, great tips on how to improve a blog and thoughts on how blogs can help tell the story of a church.
Have you read this book? Do you know of any churches who utilize a blog for their online only online presence?
Rev. Andrew Conard 
4 replies on “the blogging church”
Hey- I haven’t read it, but I always thought it would be a pretty decent idea. The problem with blogs- like any form of electronic communication, you automatically decrease the attention span of your audience. Even though I tend to write long blog entries, (which is probably why people rarely read or comment on them- present company excluded!) I’m always trying to figure out how to shorten them, because I know the minute I start reading a blog, if it gets beyond a few paragraphs, I’ve already tuned out. Of course, that could be a generational thing- people of previous generations are looking for content, I’m looking for the sound-byte! End self-critique.
I think for churches and pastors it could work, as long as it’s not simply a means to deliver a shorter sermon. I think that it could be useful, for pastors at least, to be a kind of real-life tool, in that they can share their thoughts and insights outside of the ‘pastoral’ role. One nice thing about blogs is that because they have a certain level of anonymity and impersonal-ness, you can sort of wear your heart on your sleeve, as the saying goes, even though I have no idea what the saying means! I think there’s a certain value in a level of real-ness that can come from sharing just everyday stuff, and within the pastoral or church setting, how all of that real-life stuff can relate to faith, God, and spirituality.
Also, I think it can be a good venue for discussion, and for talking about and sharing ideas, and since it’s accessible by anybody with an internet connection, it can really allow for higher levels of inclusivity because it can be less intimidating and allow for time to think, ponder, discuss, etc.
I know my blog can be kind of theologically heavy, but I tend to do that because it’s an outlet I would otherwise not necessarily have. It’s often difficult to find people willing to discuss those kinds of things, and so sharing my thoughts in cyberspace opens up a whole new level of engagement that is hard to find in other means at times.
Alright. Long enough comment, eh? Talk to you later.
Andrew, I am glad you are enjoying the books so far. I would love to see a full review when you are finished.
i remember reading a review of tbc. it sounded good, but not enough to push to the front of that large reading stack. give me a bullet point list on all the good ideas (a little play with deviant monk, haha)
deviant monk – I agree, at times electronic communication can decrease the attention span of the receiver, but perhaps that makes the content provider consider more carefully the content. Sharing ideas is a great purpose and casting a vision is one of the themes addressed in the book thus far.
Terry – Thanks for the comment. I will plan on posting a review here when I am finished.
Gavin – I’ll see what I can do to make a review include somewhat of a summary as well.