When I started blogging in 2003 it was a fun way to communicate some thoughts and ideas that I was working through. For the most part my close friends followed my blog. But soon the blogging virus spread and  blogging became a platform to communicate with other church planters and missional thinkers across the globe. I think blogging was vital to quick emergence of the emerging church. 

As various conversations exploded  in the blog-world, it created and national and international network. Blogging became a key tool and a legitimate community builder. As we pushed the envelope of theology, church, missional thinking and culture, many of us forogt that their was still an old world lurking, reading and disagreeing. I’ve had friends lose their jobs because of theological information they discussed on their blog, blogging was no longer safe. 

Bloggers had to grow up and think about the content they posted. If you wanted to blog you knew you would be held accountable. So blogging became more official and our thoughts had to be more detailed and succinct. Christian bloggers had to learn how to write, discuss, debate and still have a sense of humility in the process. 

Now the blog world is older, more mature and for the most part normal in Christian circles. When I meet someone for the first time I would much rather have their blog URL then their cell number. Its not like we’re going to call each other. We really do life online through Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Blogs. 

But there is a downside to blogging; it can become an addiction. I hear bloggers all the time communicate how they need a break from blogging but they are scared they will lose readers. Many bloggers are fascinated with their technorati rank. It’s frustrating to see bloggers who write lame one-sentence posts to create comments and stats. How do we continue to blog but not lose authenticity in the process? 

Many bloggers put a lot of time and effort into their blog. They blog with a sense of purpose. They want their bog to do well and to be read by many. I do care about my readership, I don’t want to waste time blogging if no one is going to read my posts. Also, I do know Simply Missional has created a space for friendship, collaboration, networking and mission. I feel like this blog has been an encouragement for the most part.  

Like all things we just have to be careful as we blog. We can’t allow our blogs to control us, we can’t allow blogging to create a culture that is not healthy, we can’t become so fixiated with our popularity that we lose a sense of health and balance. 

So blog and blog well…But please keep it authentic and balanced.

Subscribe to the post comments feeds or Leave a trackback