The Blogging Church

For many people in the Christian community, the internet can be seen as a tool of the devil, at least that's what I remember when the internet first became popular (back in the stone ages). But there are sites such as mychurch.org and mychristiannation.com out there, and churches can even use blogs (web-logs), making them known as the blogging church.

Purpose of a blogging church

A blogging church can now have the message of the Cross out there on the World Wide Web for everyone to see. Evangelism can truly be worldwide! However, the people of a blogging church must never forget that one-on-one communication will never replace any other form of spreading the Gospel.

A blogging church can even have their church information on their site, including doctrine and contact, and even have maps on how to get there. Those who are seeking can turn to a church's blog and even begin communication.

Facebook and the blogging church

There are a growing number of social networking sites that are specified for the Christian community, so why should a church even consider Facebook? The answer: More non-Christians use Facebook than, say, mychurch.org. Facebook has become the world's town square, and there are more ways for the blogging church to reach out to non-believers this way. A church can have its own profile where it can continue blogging, or it can have a group page where others can join and leave messages. Those who are seeking will even see what groups their Christian friends have joined.

Small Groups and the blogging church

The Church today is beginning to return to the traditional aspect of community, which is Small Groups. A Small Group is a group of maybe ten people getting together regularly and discussing topics that affect their own lives. The blogging church, or perhaps the blogging small group, can use the internet to have an even greater impact on people. There are sites out there on the internet that offer video conferencing technology. People all over the world can be part of a small group no matter where they are. A blogging church can lead people to these programs.

The blogging church: A book by Brian Bailey and Terry Storch

A recent book was published in 2007, conveniently titled, The Blogging church. In their book, Brian and Terry discuss how a church can use a blog to reach out to those who are already committed followers of Christ and those who are seeking answers to their questions about Christ. The book also has lots of advice from talented bloggers and seeks to help the church blog be more than just a simple website. Seth Godin, an expert and author of marketing, says, "Brian Bailey makes two things crystal clear in this book: if you've got a church, then you need to spread your story. And if you need to spread your story, blogs are now an essential tool. Time to pay attention!"

Churches have never been known for embracing change, but this technology can be used to reach out to the lost, a tradition found in the Gospel of Matthew.