Blogging for the Brethren

Web Logs, or blogs fit nicely in Web ministry. They are not essential, but if managed well, can have a real impact on teaching and fellowship. One use for a blog is for the pastor who finds useful bits of material during his course of study that are worth posting for readers who may be interested in following along during the week. I’m going to focus on this aspect, but I believe all the principles easily translate to a youth leader, Sunday school teachers and just about any other blog forum.

Blogging can greatly increase the involvement of members with the ongoing message of the Church. Blogging promotes interaction that is not present on Sunday morning services. While we may discuss a sermon after church or during the week, a blog can make a great difference in the quality and quantity of interaction.

There may be a misconception that a weblog needs to have material that is well-planned and full of content. True, many blogs have this philosophy, but there is no written requirement to post entire pages of novel quality ever day. A short note, a photo, a website reference, anything can make a blog. Little bits of insight into the Pastor’s study, the church’s people or just things of note from the leadership can really begin to draw in the members.

Commenting or discussion options in most blogs present even more opportunity for involvement. Participants can comment on information or add to the depth from what they’ve learned in their own studies. Those who would rarely be found participating in the greater discussions at Bible studies during the week can be drawn out by the web. Some people are self-conscious until they find the web, a perfect environment for those who read and write with more fluency than they speak in public.

There are many popular Christian websites that develop intense and involved discussions based on participants in the comment meta: Pyromaniacs, Challies, Sharper Iron and Moore To The Point.

Some practical considerations for blogging.

• If the pastor or teaching elders of a church intend to keep a weblog:
  • Identify yourself. Create an introduction to the blog that explains the who, what, where, when and how of the content. Defining what readers and participants can expect will make a much more comfortable experience for all parties.
  • Concise is good.
  • Have an editor. The more words you write, the greater your margin for goofs.
  • Encourage feedback via email. Better yet, keep an open comments forum.
  • Don’t worry about daily posting. Blogs do not have to rule our schedules. Post when it’s pertinent.
  • Don’t let the dust build. One post from last year about how we view Thanksgiving will not easily lend itself to Easter. Frequent posts, as little as a couple times a week will keep people checking in as well as promote conversation.
  • Set rules for yourself about what you will and will not post. Often, a Christian blog becomes a temptation to go to the dark side (Watchblogging) where content tends to be condemnatory or judgmental. Or a blog can become vacuous and superficial, lending nothing to the spiritual growth of the readers. Check yourself and anyone participating on whether the media and its meta is Christ centered.
  • An additional note: WATCH yourself, you posters, for a natural tendency when writing on the web is to put the viewpoint from self ahead of all else. Preach Christ, the Gospel, the Word, not your personal agenda. Review 1 and 2 Timothy and keep in mind that the “Pastor’s Pen” will represent the truth about the blogger.
• If conversations are to be encouraged at the blog:
  • Consider whether you want outsiders to participate or even view the blog material. A church with a high view of intimacy among members may choose to limit outside participation so that relationships can be built. Save new friendships and meet-greets for public places.
  • Requiring registration to participate in comments and discussions is a way to prevent spam, phishing and other unwanted side effects of blogging.
  • Moderate comments and commenters by being proactive, keeping an eye out for content that fails to edify the body or lend to discussion of material.
  • If you find the need to be clear and specific about how discussions are to be governed, it may be prudent to develop posting or participation rules and publish them for readers.
  • Don’t feel obliged to reply to every comment posted. Let commenters converse among themselves about your material and speak up when you see something useful or to pursue a good direction.
  • Keep in mind that this sort of forum is going to result in some participants appearing quite different from their normal M.O. In public. Occasionally, this may need attention either by way of encouragement or exhortation. Think of blogging as a live counseling or discipleship tool.
• Be CONSERVATIVE until you have the feel of things. If a blogger is new to the “Blog-O-Sphere” it can be easy to misunderstand the dynamics of meta discussions and the personalities of online people. Don’t react until you really know what’s going on with them and with the content at the site.

In closing, I recommend taking a cruise around the web. Take a look at various church websites (nearly everyone has one). Take a long look at Christ centered websites that involve people in discussion and teaching forums.

Rob Hickok serves in the U.S. Navy and has been involved in information management for 15 years. He has worked on private Web publishing, graphics, design, networking technology since 2002. Christ called him to repentance and salvation in August of 2003 and he has been blogging about this event ever since. He lives in Southern California with his Wife and four children. He writes at www.lordandhearth.com.