More About Blogs

I have been encourgaed by the people that have contacted me concerning the blogging article on www.lifeway.com. I believe that churches and church leaders are beginning to see how blogging really can enhance their church and their ministry. I few other blogs that have mentioned me are www.churchtechmatters.com and http://mondaymorninginsight.com/. You might want to check out these sites to see what they said and how they have added to the conversation.

There is no doubt that blogs are changing the face of the church and also our culture. This week I want to talk about blogs as it relates to the power of storytelling. In the May 11th issues of the USAToday newspaper they spoke about "Milblogs" or blogs that have been created my the men and women serving in the war. These soilders have gone into battle and have come back and typed directly what have seen and experienced. A good sites to find about 50 of these blogs are http://www.iraqfiles.com/ and then click the link titled "milblogs' on the left hand side of the page. These sites are rather powerful and insightful as they tell the real story of these soilders experience.

As I think about these blogs it reminds me of the power of stories. Jesus talked to his disciples in parables (modern day stories with a spiritual application). Today He might have talked to the world in a blog. So how can we make our blogs more of a parable experience?

1. Relate real life stories - blogs are discussion starters, but they are from real experiences. I want to write about the emerging the church. This blog is about my experience of the changing face of the christian church.

2. Reveal windows into reality - What makes blogs so powerful is that they are a safe place where people can reveal themselves. People can reveal real thoughts about issues and experiences. I have often said that we "serve a real God that can help real people with real problems." Blogs allow us to be real.

3. Recognize the diversity in people - Jesus' story reac out across culture divides. He know how to relate to people, but he did not try to make everyone alike. Blog help us to know that there is a different world out there - and it is okay. How will we ever be able to become people of influence unless we engage in the debate. Peter reminds us to do this with gentleness and respect. We should not be "flammers" but allow our flame to burn so that other can see.

I really want to encourage you to think about blogging. Create a blog that is an on-line journal of your spiritual journey. Open it up for people to see and to learn from. Creat a blog that conveys your life story and in so doing may touch the lives of those around you.