‘God Bloggers’ Head to National Conference
All kinds of blogs out there, today. Subject matters or themes run the gambit. Many, I enjoy reading and most I don’t. When I first started thinking about blogging, my firsts thoughts included creating a virtual soapbox to air all of my gripes and pet peeves. But then I thought about my life verse Matthew 6:33 and was led to create a theme aimed at our role in God’s kingdom here on earth. I want my blog to be encouraging and provocative. It is encouraging to me to see more and more blogging being done in the name of God. Go here to read about the first ever convention concerning this form of ministry. My only concern is that we don’t forget about those that still have no idea about what the internet is all about. Blogging is a great way to share thoughts about ministry and to discuss issues facing our families and churches today.
What do you think? Is blogging another form of ministry or a waste of time? Or is it something else all together?
October 17th, 2005 at 11:05 am
I guess I view the whole blogging thing as a journal…a very public journal but still. I’ve been more deliberate about keeping a journal these last couple of years, particularly a prayer journal more than just a journal about everyday events. I cannot imagine putting any of that up in front of anyone much less “the entire world” online!!!
My daughter has an xanga and in keeping tabs on that, (to monitor what she is putting out there and what others are putting on her site) I often find myself roaming around reading sites of other kids, often kids I don’t know but sometimes kids I do know. It’s really kind of scary. To read the thoughts and opinions and attitudes of these kids, often VERY cynical, many times profane, and occasionally evil. What really makes me very sad is that so many talk about their church in their blogs, in their profiles mention a belief or faith in God yet nothing in their everyday posts support that. We’ve all been guilty of it at one time or another I’m sure, claiming a faith that in reality has had little impact or evidence in our life. Maybe they are only walking out what has been modeled for them by the adults in their life, I don’t know
The point is, yes, I do think there is potential for some good in this environment, for some ministry to be happening. I’ve run across a few of these xanga sites by kids who are really very bold and unashamed of their faith. Some share just the every day walking in faith and some are actually digging in the Word and sharing what God has shown them or spoken to them through that. These kids usually have huge lists of subscribers to their sites, many of them from the group I mentioned first – the scary ones!
However, I don’t think it should take the place of that face-to-face, genuine relationship building either. It’s easy to communicate from whatever perspective you want in this form of communication, because there is so little accountability. It’s more difficult to walk it out in reality and in that face-to-face relationship, but I believe that is where the real difference is made. I have some people that I have only seen in person just a few times but we’ve continued the relationship through emails and instant messages. Although we’ve shared a lot about life, our faith, our struggles, and our victories when it comes down to a real pinch and needing someone to turn to, it’s the friends that I see face to face, that I call on.
October 17th, 2005 at 11:28 am
I am concerned about the kids blogging. Parents really need to stay on top of this.
October 17th, 2005 at 7:42 pm
To answer your question, I think blogging is a form of ministry. In fact, I think it is a great outlet for evangelism and discipleship.
I believe the church is beginning to utilize this technology in major ways (perhaps faster than we’ve adopted any other technological innovation.) To me, the Internet is quickly becoming the premier communication method, both interpersonal and mass media. Today, blogging is the most efficient way of seizing the Internet to communicate the Message. If we fail to secure a good footing in this environment, the enemy will have the upperhand.
I say, seize the medium.
October 19th, 2005 at 9:18 am
I agree that there are so many benefits that this technology can produce, but I think that we also need to realize how anonymous it is as well. Again, good and bad. I read some of the youth’s blogs that they write and I know (or hope) that they would never say some of the things they say in person. It gives them an outlet to hurt, without having to deal with the devistation they have caused. I wonder if it has caused a duality in our youth. Today, youth are comfortable living one way in one situation and another way in a different set of circumstances. I’m not saying that this anonimity is the only cause for this, I think that it is a “sign of the times,” but I do think that it is a contributing factor. I wish that you would be able to know some of our youth and what they say at church, then read their Xanga site. It is amazing. It is a problem with most of the youth ministers that I have talked to.
Well, the good part of the anonimity that it produces is that people are able to share thoughts and feelings that they normally wouldn’t share in a face-to-face, so, that part is good. I guess, bottom line, is, as God designed it, we have the decision to make as to whether to help or hurt with our words (spoken or written).