Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Hangover I - GodBlogCon
The posts keep coming on GBC. I really liked this one from A-Team. It responds very well to one of the more negative comments that floated out of the conference.
Then there is this one from Pastor Mark, wherein he asks a few follow up questions from the conference and emailed me, asking me to address them.
Two of his questions are closely related so, I will address them together
Will it replace them? Of course not! Can a book do those things? No - people do those things, but books help them do it. Blogging is the same. As a form of communication it will help people do those things. The purpose of the conference was to try and figure out how.
Evangelism was treated as a minor side issue primarily because no one stepped forward to offer a break out session on the topic. The confrence did not come together as a part of some master plan that the planners then went out to find people to fill slots. Rather, people came forward and volunteered what they wanted to talk about. Based on conversation at the conference, Pastor Mark is obviously very concerned about this particular issue. My suggestion -- put together a seminar for next time.
Folks -- blogging is radically new stuff. We have a lot more questions that we have answers. Gonna be that way for a while. That's what makes the conference so important -- working these things out. This was a first, it won't be the last. Next year, work on these questions yourself, and bring the answers you find to the conference. There will be opportunity for you to present them.
Then there is this one from Pastor Mark, wherein he asks a few follow up questions from the conference and emailed me, asking me to address them.
Is blogging really going to be "the next big thing"? Are comparisons to Guttenberg or television valid? Or is it a temporary blip that will be surpassed by new technologies before it ever really takes off?The technology will undoubtedly improve and change. What is here to stay is the concept of inexpensive, vastly distributable self-publication. That's the essence of blogging and that is what matters. Technological innovation may change what that looks like, but the essence will not.
Two of his questions are closely related so, I will address them together
Even if blogging becomes a mighty force, will it ever prove to be a significant force for the kingdom of God? Will all these blogs really have much effect on the fulfillment of the Great Commission? Is this a medium suitable to the task or will it turn out to be a diabolical (literally) distraction; thousands of Christians pouring time and effort into something that ultimately has little impact on God's work, but which meanwhile keeps all those gifted people and their time and energy away from more effective ministry?Blogging is a communication tool -- period, no more, no less. Communication is VITAL to the ministry of the Church, to the fulfillment of the Great Comission and to evangelism. So, in that since, yes blogging is effective for all of those things.
Can blogging be an effective tool for evangelism and why is this being treated as a minor side-issue of little importance?
Will it replace them? Of course not! Can a book do those things? No - people do those things, but books help them do it. Blogging is the same. As a form of communication it will help people do those things. The purpose of the conference was to try and figure out how.
Evangelism was treated as a minor side issue primarily because no one stepped forward to offer a break out session on the topic. The confrence did not come together as a part of some master plan that the planners then went out to find people to fill slots. Rather, people came forward and volunteered what they wanted to talk about. Based on conversation at the conference, Pastor Mark is obviously very concerned about this particular issue. My suggestion -- put together a seminar for next time.
Will the close relationship between Christian blogging and politically conservative blogging end up doing more harm than good? Have we looked at the unintended consequences?Depends on how we do it! As I said in my reflections post the "how" question is the essential question left from the conference. The answer, I know, lies in the actions of the Holy Spirit and the presence of His fruit.
Folks -- blogging is radically new stuff. We have a lot more questions that we have answers. Gonna be that way for a while. That's what makes the conference so important -- working these things out. This was a first, it won't be the last. Next year, work on these questions yourself, and bring the answers you find to the conference. There will be opportunity for you to present them.
