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Preaching vs. Blogging
Orginally published on Monday, March 03, 2008 at 9:12 AM
by Todd Rhoades
A great post over at Read Scott this morning explores the differences and similarities of preaching vs. blogging. Scott says, "Preaching, like blogging, is a specific art. It takes planning, thoughtfulness, creativity, and sustainability to communicate on a regular basis. The similarities are so plentiful that I needed to make a chart for it."
Scott finishes: “If you can preach, you can blog. However, don’t mistake the opposite to be true. Just because you can blog, it doesn’t mean you can preach.”
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There are 6 Comments:
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Posted by Derek
Monday, March 03, 2008 at 9:41 AM
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Posted by Camey
Monday, March 03, 2008 at 10:00 AM
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Posted by Tony Whittaker
Monday, March 03, 2008 at 12:54 PM
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Posted by Drew Hill
Monday, March 03, 2008 at 3:19 PM
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Posted by Tony Whittaker
Monday, March 03, 2008 at 4:23 PM
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Posted by Drew Hill
Monday, March 03, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Post Your Comments:Preaching and blogging are two different animals...for sure. I have been blogging for about two years and last year we added a “Pastor’s Blog” link to our church website. I know a number of our core church members read my blog.
One of the best uses I have found for the blog is to write posts that reflect some of the study I have done in preparation for the sermon, but don’t actually include in the preaching of the sermon. On the blog, I am able to pursue subjects with a lot more theological depth than I am in my sermons. I do all of this study for a sermon and maybe 30% goes into the sermon. Now I have an outlet to expound on the other 70%.
The blog is also a much more effective way for our church people to wrestle with some of these more meaty or more theological topics. They can read and reread sections that seem confusing and then I create hyper links for theological terms, historical figures, or books that I cite.
I also use it for our leaders. If I post something that reflects the culture of our church or something that is potentially culture changing, I email my leaders and ask them to read the post and reply with comments.
It is a great medium and every once in a while, I get a link from MMI! Click here:
http://mondaymorninginsight.com/index.php/site/comments/ten_reasons_why_the_meth_church_is_growing_faster_than_your_church/
Derek
I found that chart fascinating. There are certain individuals whom I enjoy reading their blogs more so than hearing them preach. Then, of course, the opposite is true as well.
I blog but I don’t ever preach.... lol
One big difference between preaching and blogging: the preacher has a captive audience who are there for a whole variety of reasons. The blogger has no automatic audience at all.
The preacher will hope, on many occasions, to have not-yet-Christians listening to him or her, and hopefully will communicate appropriately with them. The blogger will only get non-accidental not-yet-Christians visitors to the blog, if he or she is writing about subjects that interest or help these visitors.
There are very few blogs that are really accessible to, or of any interest to, most not-yet-Christians. We’ve done a page on this topic:
blogging as outreach and will value feedback or examples.
Blessings
Tony
For me blogging represents an outward extension of my preaching ministry. Blogging allows me to communicate with those who are out on the fringes of faith, those who may or may not hear my sermon, but are seekers trying to make some sense of life. I’m not interested in sharing the rest of my sermon preparation or delving into deeper theological truths when I blog. Nor would I take the time to blog about denominational issues or political views. I am interested in conversations about life and faith that point people I may not otherwise reach towards Jesus Christ. That’s worth my time and best effort.
Drew, can you share any sorts of instances where people on the fringes of faith have found your blog and interacted with you? I think it would be very encouraging for me to write about such things on our page.
Blessings
Tony
Since I started my blog last October I have been often surprised and pleased to hear who keeps dropping by. My blog is linked to our church website and publicized in our church’s worship guides and newsletters, but otherwise I guess it gets out word of mouth.
Few of our core people read my blog, but new people, fringe people, people just checking out faith or the church or me often mention some post they have read that apparently connected in some way.
One couple have been Easter/Christmas attenders for several years, but have been resistant to any further involvement. We have daughters the same age who are friends, so we see each other from time to time. She occasionally listens to our radio broadcast while she cleans house. (One week she said she heard part of my sermon while she was cleaning the toilet.)
She jumped right on my blog. I think it was a way for her to explore some common life experiences and see them from a faith perspective. We have had significant conversations that began with a post or a quote. I think it has been a less-threatening, less-intimidating way for her to seek out what she’s looking for.
Another surprise reader was a middle-aged widow who had dropped out of church. The blog helped to draw her back in and process some of her feelings. Another was a couple who had just been married and she was moving in from out of town. It seemed to help her connect with me and with the church.
One thing more. If you gear your blog to people out on the fringe, don’t expect many direct responses. They may read and they may later discuss, but they will not often post comments. Part of the attraction I guess of a blog as opposed to a sermon is the anonymity.
I’m still a beginner at this and I welcome your thoughts. Thanks.
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