I need your input . . . please :)
I'm doing a workshop on blogging at the North American Christian Convention in Kansas City in July.
I'd love your help with my presentation. Please send me your comments on the following issues and I'll include them in my presentation at the NACC:
What do you think about blogging?
How many blogs do you read each week?
Do you get a lot out of reading blogs?
What are your top 5 favorite blogs (besides this one!)? Why?
What's the best thing about blogs? What is the worst thing about blogs?
Have you heard stories of life change that technology has enabled?
Do you think an online community is really possible?
One more big question: I have no idea how many people read my blog. We aren't tracking this information at this time. (I hope my mom isn't the only reader, but sometimes I'm not sure. :) )Would you take second and send me a quick comment--Hello, blessings, rock on!, you stink, or something else--so I can get an idea of how many people read this particular posting?
And . . . yes . . . you can post anonymously if you prefer. :)
Thanks for your help.
posted by Arron Chambers @ 7:26 AM
19 comments
19 Comments:
I think blogging is a good method of quickly sharing a thought on an issue.
I have 12 feeds in my RSS reader, but not all of them post new entries regularly.
I read mostly technology/programming blogs (ie, not "latest gadget" but "how do you effectively program this..."), and I do get a lot out of them.
1) Slashdot - Stay up on the latest technology news.
2) The Moth - The latest tricks for Visual Studio (which I use daily for programming)
3) Revision29 - My friend's blog, mostly philosophical and theological stuff which I enjoy.
Also, I subscribe to a bunch of Microsoft employee blogs to learn new things.
I tend to stay away from religious and theological blogs because I often disagree with the author's views.
I use blogs exclusively for keeping up on technology.
Have I ever heard a story of life change that technology has enabled? No, not really... not saying that it doesn't happen though.
Communities are successful based on one thing: usefulness. Just like the church, a community can be successful only if it fulfils a person's need which cannot be fulfilled outside of the community. So, are they *possible*, of course. Will a wholistic online community (one which encompasses large areas of people's lives) be successful, probably not.
Thank you for the entries you have posted. I didn't know I could comment without registering an account so I never commented.
- Chet
Chet--Fantastic info. Thanks!
I am fairly new to the concept of blogging, but think that it can be a good tool. Any time you can get more information, and more Truth available that can help people see Jesus better than it is good and worth it. Of course, blogging likely won't reach the older generation (for the most part).
I read blogs to keep up with friends primarily, and don't spend too much time reading blogs, unless I hear of a interesting post or something controversial. I wish I had more time to read some blogs where I am sure there are some great ideas and thoughts circling. However, I do enjoy your posts.
I don't know if blogging is just a fad or if it is here to stay, regardless, it adds to the masses of information already out there.
Blessings,
Jason
I'm a regular reader of yours Arron, but you knew that already. :)
Other blogs I read often:
http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/
http://www.gregnettle.com/
ethur.org/blog/
http://speaking-out-of-turn.blogspot.com/
theviewfromher.com
http://nomorewastedpaper.wordpress.com/
http://postsecret.blogspot.com/
http://planetdan.net/blog/index.html
http://blog.guykawasaki.com/
I don't know about ilfe change or community. For me it's about hearing the thoughts and virtually "sitting at the feet" of people I already admire or whose thoughts I find helpful/funny. I rarely comment on any of these blogs and only occasionally read others' comments. (If I wanted to know what Bob in Dallas had to say, I'd be reading HIS blog.)
Good luck with your workshop!
I think blogging is another method of communication, with all the possibilities for good and abuse that implies.
It depends on my time, but 4 or 5 at most.
That's like asking to I get a lot out of reading books or magazines. It depends on the blog and it depends on whether the author is having a good day or not.
The only 2 blogs I check with regularity besides this one are my daugther's blog on MySpace (because it gives me insight into her life and because she's a good writer for a 17yr. old) and Out of Url, the blog by Leadership magazine (because it helps me understand what's going on with other Christian leaders).
I believe the best thing about blogs is that it puts emphasis on the strength of a person's thoughts or arguments. It is a very democratic means of mass communication.
The worst thing about blogs is the speed of the communication. If bloggers don't publish SOMETHING regularly, they lose readers. This often leads to bloggers putting out garbage. There is also pressure on those who comment to get in early. Chet said, "blogging is a good method of quickly sharing a thought on an issue." I'm not convinced this quickness is a good thing. James said, "let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." I don't know that the pace of most blogs allows us to be "slow to speak" or gives us the time to think through what we say/write.
I have heard of numerous cases where technology has been used to communicate the Gospel and the Gospel has changed lives. But I think we need to be careful not to allow the media to distract from the message. Somehow, I just don't see Paul and Peter sitting around discussing whether the use of parchments has "enabled life change."
No, I don't believe an "online community" is possible. Community is about sharing and having things in common. The internet can allow an existing community (e.g. the church) another method of communicating, it may even provide an avenue for new individuals to be added to that community, but it does not create a community where one does not exist.
It is important to distinguish between a tool which the community uses and the community itself. Chet is right that "usefulness" is one of the criteria for judging a tool such as the internet or a blog. But, when we apply that to the community itself we are on dangerous ground.
I don't have a blog myself, nor do I read that many (maybe 2 or 3 a week) but I participate in numerous message boards on a regular basis. I do think blogs are a good way to post your thoughts, as it's sometimes necessary to write down what's on your mind. I think blogs also give good insight to "average" people in different situations. I'm currently reading a blog from northern Minnesota where a huge wildfire has destroyed thousands of acres where my family has been camping for nearly 25 years. That blog has really enlightened me into what displaced families go through and it gives a personal touch that news articles don't have.
http://www.tuscaroranews.blogspot.com/
Anyways, keep posting Aaron, (even if it's just so you're mom can keep tabs on you) we all enjoy hearing what you have a to say!
I have subscribed to and read about 70 blogs. According to my Google Reader, that's 1933 entries in the last 30 days. It's a great way to keep track of rapidly changing information or get lots of people to discuss a topic that you need feedback on. They provide bite-sized chunks of information. It has been a great way for me to keep up to date on issues that I'm interested in without sifting through stuff I don't care about.
My top 5 blogs are Simple Dollar, Freakonomics, Engadget, Logos Bible Software, and Wages of Wins Journal.
Research shows that an online community is possible, but it is improved where people already know each other and they use online to improve what they already have. I enjoy reading blogs of my friends and feeling like I'm still aware of what's going on in their lives, even when we can't regularly visit.
Thanks for doing the workshop.
A lot about blogging depends on the blog and its purpose. There are some blogs out there with the goal of just informing what the kids have done, sharing pictures, etc. (which after working overseas is a great thing!), but there are many that are finding a niche by sharing about their area of interest, research, or much more.
When it comes to theological blogs, I find that it can provide a useful arena for the exchange of ideas, devotional thoughts, and research. I subscribe to nearly 80 blogs and I find it helps me not only understand the different discussions taking place in Christianity but also even in the world in general. The key to any of these more discussion type blogs is that participants have to participate beyond just reading. This may be one of the harder aspects to the success of a blog "community."
Community can take place using technology if it is based around something that they have in "common." The nice part of blogs is that more people can participate, in their own time (asynchronous communication), and from all around the world. The draw back is that many will never meet face to face, so we lose nonverbal communication (i.e. tone of voice, etc.) so communication can thwarted and our meaning can sometimes be more easily misiinterpreted.
My 2 cents...have a great conference!
Hey Arron,
Don't worry ... you're mom's not the only one! I try to check your blog at least two or three times a week to see if you've updated. I really appreciate your insights. Since I began my own blog a few months ago on my churches website -I have tried to look over as many blogs as I can. Quite obviously we live in a techno-saturated culture and so I look at other's blogs mainly to see what's "hip and happening!"
To all who have left comments: I'm so grateful for your responses. Your input is both enlightening and encouraging. Thanks!
In the world of blogs, I am only a couple of months old. Yours is the first I read when you joined our church staff.
I purposely go to yours and Daniel Decker's blogs each week and will link to other's from there depending on the time I have.
I have also started my own which I try to post to a couple of times a week.
This last weekend, ironically, a mother come to me on the flag football field and shared she agreed with a recent posting I made about needed changes regarding the perspective parents and coaches have toward youth sports within our church.
It led to an intelligent and worthwhile conversation that ended with her volunteering in our upcoming youth soccer season. I had no idea she even read my blog and this has the potential to be life changing...especially for her son as 'mom' gets involved as a leader of our church sports.
To me, this falls into the category Paul refers to when he says in 1 Corinthians 9:22b-23 (NLT) "Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings."
Just my thoughts....
I'll be praying for you as you prepare for this workshop. I think they asked the right guy to present it!
Tough questions! Let me give you a blog post that may be helpful:
http://www.jesuscreed.org/?p=2343
I'm a reader not much a blogger, but here's my opinion.
1. Blogging is a neat tool. Especially when scholars give book reviews (saves you time reading a whole book) or when they give leadership (etc.) advice.
2. I tune into about 5 regular blogs a week and check out another 5 new blogs a week.
3. Most blogs are not worth reading, but those few are jewels.
4. I'll give you 3:
http://www.jesuscreed.org
http://theresurgence.com/md_blog
http://www.dankimball.com/vintage_faith
5. Best/worst/technology??
6. I think an online community is possible with the realization it is an imitation for authentic relationships. In other words, it should never be a substitute, only a supplement.
7. Your blog is a regular for me.
Thanks Bro,
PS -- Thanks Jen for your fav. blogs.
I'm an atheist, raised in an independent Christian church, so I subscribed to your blog because I like to receive a diversity of opinions in my bloglines feeder. I currently subscribe to 292 blogs which cover a variety of topics. I'd say that I feel a sense of community with two of the blogs I subscribe to. The community comes about because the bloggers respond to us directly, and we respond to each other. Two out of 292. Blogs and blogging make me happy. They expose me to a variety of opinions, and I feel that I'm on the cutting edge in many different fields (which also makes me happy). I used to separate out work-related blogs from my favorite blogs, but I no longer do that because it was too much work to check two readers each day. So they're carefully organized by category. I currently subscribe to 5 atheist blogs and 4 religious blogs, so maybe I'll pick up another one from the suggestions in the comments. I do think that an online community is possible, but only if the blogger keeps things positive. For example, since you moderate your blog, you can choose to not accept this comment if you think it would be divisive, or to cut off incipient flame wars and arguments between commenters. Those are the happiest blogs.
Arron:
I think blogging is great. I enjoy blogging myself, and I love to read the thoughts of others, especially when it comes to Christianity!
I probably read about four or five blogs a week, all from members of the Restoration Movement.
I get a lot out of reading other peoples blogs. I get sides of an issue that I would never consider before reading what others wrote. Nevermind the sides, I hear about issues you would never think about otherwise!
My favorite blogs:
Stoned-Campbell Disciple, the blog of Bobby Valentine, author of "Kingdom Come."
Christian Unity, the blog of Alan Rouses, an elder in the International Churches of Christ (ICOC).
Bobby and Tamie's world famous blog, Bobby is the editor of Standard rival "The Christian Chronicle," a non-instrumental Church of Christ newspaper.
Occasional epistles of grace and peace, the blog of McGarvey Ice, who works at the Disciples of Christ Historical Society.
Professing Professor, the blog of Dr. John Mark Hicks of David Lipscomb University.
And of course...my blog:
Clarkecomments.com, where you can read my comments and thoughts on the Restoration Movement at large.
What's the best thing about blogs? What is the worst thing about blogs?
The best thing about blogs is that anyone can have one.
The worst thing about blogs is also... that anyone can have one...and some people take 12 years to update their blog.
I think an online community is possible, but it never beats the real thing.
-Clarke
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Anonymous--Thanks for your post. I'm intrigued by your insights on community and by the way you use blogs to keep yourself both informed and "happy." I'm clueless when it comes to "feeders." I'll have to google it and get up to speed. Thanks for your comments.
I read your blog about once a week. I think it is great and you challenge me to live my faith. Thanks.
Arron,
I see someone has already shared McKnight's Jesus Creed and Hick's Professing Professor -- here are a couple others I really like and try to check up on from time to time..
www.preachermike.com (Mike Cope)
lchouinard.blogspot.com
www.joshgraves.blogspot.com
www.transformingsermons.com
daveferguson.org
jonferguson.org
dudleyrutherford.blogspot.com
Another that is interesting is the John 3.30 group. It can be found at www.markmoore.org.
P.S. I also enjoy My Lord and My Blog and Write About Now.
anthony
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