On Better Blogging

Monday July 23, 2007 ~ 15 Comments

On Blogging.

I am not very good at it. As a matter of fact, I think I may be the worst blogger ever. But, today, I am turning over a new leaf.

I post regularly at The Resurgence website (www.theresuregence.com), if you define "regularly" as meaning once every quarter. And, I am even less consistent at the Missional Network website (www.missionalnetwork.org).

But, now I am in Nashville and I have a new 26 item job description. And, slipped in the middle of that fun list of things, is doing a blog. And, I'm in. This is the Lifeway Research Blog. You can get at it from www.lifewayresearch.com or from www.edstetzer.com.

This blog will be a mixture of several things. We will look at research and discuss it here. In just a couple of weeks we will release some groundbreaking research on the dropout rate for the transition years from high school to college. Several guest bloggers will both write and interact here. Whenever we release research, this will be the official forum for interacting with us. You can post questions, question our assumptions, or say we are the smartest people ever for doing the project (thanks, mom, for dropping by).

In between major projects, the blog will focus on other things. For example, I am about to create and interact a series of posts on the use of the word "missional," its origins, uses, and challenges. Missional is a true wiki-word, but my observations will not be "this is right and that is wrong." Instead, we will look at different views of the word and then I (and some friends) will share our opinions, cautions, and opportunities.

I will occasionally post on things "SBC" related, but that is not the focus of the blog. Yes, I will be my normal charming and honest self when posting about my denomination. Grin.

My first two posts on the denomination will be coming soon. The first is called, "Why I Stayed in Denominational Leadership." The second will be called, "Why I Was Thinking about Leaving." I plan to try and highlight some challenges, but also focus on much of the positive things going on--like Jerry Rankin's plan to "finish the Great Commission" in our lifetime.

Finally, I will share some thoughts on the everyday journey. I am not sure if that will be particularly exciting, but I find that God teaches me many times through interaction with others--so, I bought a camera and I am off to blog world.

My plan is to blog three or four times a week. And, occasionally, to say something worthwhile.

The really smart IT and communication guys here are Lifeway tell me that they will help and we will be improving the look and functionality. Soon we will post audio files, links to upcoming events, and some other nifty features.

Also, expect Thom Rainer and Brad Waggoner to post from time to time (they actually have full editing privileges, so you never know when they might just drop in.)

Finally, we are going to try to make this a "real" blog, not just a series of articles where we don't interact. Comments will be open (with some moderation if you post links since we do not want spammers here). When I write my columns for Catalyst Monthly and Outreach Magazine, and when I write articles elsewhere, they will be cross linked here so we can interact as well. I can't guarantee that I can interact like the best of the bloggers, but I will try to do so at least once a day.

So, that's it for now... more tomorrow. Today I am up at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis speaking at a church planting conference. My friend and "brother from another mother," Steve Childers is the head of Global Church Advancement and they are a great group.

The word is that John Piper has some interesting things to say "via video" and I will be blogging on it soon.

Posted on July 23, 2007 at 12:07 PM ~ 15 Comments

Tagged with: bethlehem baptist church, blogging, lifeway, nashville

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15 Comments

By D. Goodmanson on July 24, 2007 9:07 AM

Ed,

Glad to see the new blog. Looking forward to EdStetzer.com!

By Jason Salamun on July 24, 2007 9:42 AM

This is terrific news Ed!

I've always wished you'd blog more. It's the next best thing to having coffee, picking your brain, and learning from your experience and knowledge.

By Jonathan Herron on July 24, 2007 11:03 AM

Welcome to the blogosphere, Ed!
This is the "missional" thing to do ;)
Now how 'bout some pix?

By rick thompson on July 24, 2007 1:46 PM

Welcome to the fray Ed! It's about time you waded in. I look forward to your insights - and we look forward to seeing you in OKC in November.

By Charles Whitmire on July 24, 2007 2:08 PM

I'm probably not alone in saying that "more Ed" is ALWAYS a good thing - but I have to tell you (in jest) that as I read this post, I found myself remembering all the promises I've made to God about journaling and having a longer quiet time... "Really God, this time I am going to journal every day, and wake up at 5am to pray...really!" For what it's worth, blog when you feel like it...

By Ed Stetzer on July 24, 2007 2:22 PM

You may very well be right, Charles!

Jonathan, I am trying on the picture thing. I am going to try one on my new post today.

Thanks to all for your kind comments.

By Les Puryear on July 24, 2007 2:29 PM

Good to have you here, Ed. I look forward to your perspective on all things SBC and others.

Les

By Jeff Patterson on July 24, 2007 3:00 PM

Ed, glad to be able to read more of your thoughts. Keep speaking with God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, Word-saturated clarity and candor. Many of us are students learning from your knowledge and experience from afar (even us non-denom folks). Let it be a purposefully joy to share, and not a burden.

By Alan Cross on July 24, 2007 3:52 PM

Glad that you are blogging, Ed. I look forward to learning from you in this environment. Great news!

By bobby gilstrap on July 24, 2007 3:59 PM

Ed,

I have checked your blogs in other locations with some frequency ... and it always appeared that I was on your blog more than you were .... (hee). Now you've put yourself out there with this blog ... you'll have more accountability now ... but did they really have to ruin the fun for you and put "blogging" in your job description. Eek. That's almost as bad as the "all other things assigned" line in many JDs.

I look forward to hearing more of your heart and your challenge to believers and churches of our day.

By James Grant on July 24, 2007 9:33 PM

Glad to see your blog Ed. I am in the SBC, but with an unusual church. I asked the question of clarification over at Drew's blog concerning your statement: "We are going to see a great die-off in the American church of established churches, yet see a broader diversity of forms of church."

In your response to people doing church in different ways, I am assuming that would include Baptists becoming more liturgical along with the other movements of house churches and contemporary and missional, etc.?? That just happens to be the case with us, believe it or not.

One other note...I was at RTS Orlando two weeks ago across the hall during your DMin class. I was going to try to introduce myself, but with everything going on in your class and mine I didn't get a chance. Can you contact me about those types of classes that you teach? I am interested in it.

Thanks...James Grant

By Jason Fletcher on July 25, 2007 7:46 AM

Dr. Stetzer,

Glad to have you back in the blogosphere. Thanks for your encouragement and support in church planting.

Jason Fletcher

By Troy McMahon on July 25, 2007 9:35 AM

Looking forward to reading your mind flow Ed. Thanks for being passionate about church planting.

By IndyChristian on July 25, 2007 6:42 PM

This could be the best addition to the blogosphere this year. Interaction about research? Excellent.

[HT: Blews.Network]

By John T. Hannum on July 11, 2008 11:26 AM

Dear Ed,
Am reading through your book Comeback Churches for the 2nd time and am taking many notes. I agree with what you are saying. My problem, or our churches problem that I/we just can't seem to get past is that we are an old congregation. Lots of white hair. Our question becomes, who will accomplish all that needs to be done? 2/3rd's of our congregation are 65 or older. What solutions or answers are there for a church that is truly old as far as its people attending. We want to be a comeback church but we are always asking--Who will do this? Two of our leadership is 60 or older. Iam 59 and one other leader is 59 and another is in his mid 40's. Any practical help you can give for our older congregation will be appreciated. As i blog with you I'm sure I will have many questions for you. I hope you can and will be able to help.
Thanks so much,
John T. Hannum

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