// August 6th, 2008 // 3 Comments » // Blogging, Self-Development, Social Network
One of the media guys in my congregation came up to me about a month ago to show me what he’d been working on. In his spare time (and I guess he has too much of it) he’s built an entire computer 3D model of the new Leeds Megacentre – but not in just any 3D software – he’s used the Level Constructor for the Half-Life game (a first person shooter). The result: you can view the building online, change layouts, decor, try out new floor plans in a 3D environment – and then run around like crazy shooting each other!
I shared this yesterday with one of our staff in Sheffield and she just said, “that’s sooooo Leeds!” For some reason that bewilders me (as if), the Leeds congregation of Hope City seems to have gathered a ‘nerd’ tag – probably a result of having the largest nerd in the church running it – me!
The thing is people see me using Facebook, Twitter, indulging my congregations nerdy whims and writing a Blog and just think, “well that’s Chris and he’s a nerd!”. But I thought I’d try and give some thinking to why I do spend so much time on these things.
There are some great blogs that have already written about why they love blogging so much. So as not to plagerise you can read what Pete Wilson from Cross Point Church, Nashville Tennesse has to say, or you could pop in on Church Marketing Sucks and see why they think you should be reading, “The Blogging Church
” by Brian Bailey and Terry Storch – both seasoned bloggers. Or you could hang around some great blogs like Tony Morgan Live and Churchrelevance.com and see for yourself the benefits of engaging in the blogging world.
But what about me…
Well – let me try and sum it up as simply as I can:
Reason 1: Community
Everything has changed in the last few years. My Grandad used to connect with friends by writing a letter every six months summarising the family goings on. My parents still keep a list of all the friends they have met on their holiday travels and send Christmas cards out to each and everyone of them every year. But today if you make a new friend you facebook or twitter them (to name a couple of the social networking sites that now proliferate the net). The idea of community has changed. It used to be who you lived next door to… but now it’s about those who are connected to your world by so many other means than just sitting across the desk at work, or popping next door for a cup of sugar.
I like to facebook, twitter, blog (let’s call it FTB for now) – because its my way of generating community around me. Especially in a church of over 1000 people it’s a great way of keeping in touch with the Jones’… catching up on who’s going out with who, ahhing at the latest baby photos and generally swapping jibes with the lads. I like to blog to allow others to stick their nose in my world and see what I’m doing, how am I dealing with the challenges that face me, what am I reading, watching, surfing etc.
For me I have a whole host of mentors who don’t even know it – but everyday when I read their blogs they are inspiring, challenging and motivating me to be all that God has called me to be. They’ve become part of my glocal community…
Reason 2: Conversation
I don’t just want to be friends with people – I want to join in a conversation with them. The thing I like about FTB’ing is that its not some voyeristic way of spying on people – used properly its an opportunity to engage people in a conversation. So people write prokoking status lines to encourage some kind of response because they are looking for some conversation – people write challenging blog posts because they’re looking for a heap of comments back so that they can continue the conversation – people direct twitters at others so that they can engage you in a bit of light conversation…
The success rating I’m basing my blog on is not how good my posts are or how many pageviews and visitors are logged in my stats – but how many comments people are making. Because I’m interested in some comeback – some additional thinking – an argument or an encouraging reply. So if you’re reading this – leave a comment and let me know what you think! Let me know what you do to engage others in Community and Conversation.
I posted a skype conversation the other day and someone challenged me on the whole issue of tithing. I loved it because it required me to engage, think and process what I really believe God says through His word.
Reason 3: Conversion
Everything I do sits on one purpose: 1 Timothy 1: 15 says: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..” Jesus Christ came to save souls – so everything I do is about seeing lives transformed by the saving grace and power of Jesus Christ. If through my FTB’ing someone might see something of my life that points them to Jesus then that will be the ultimate success of all I do. I may never know the results until I’m Heavenside but I’ve set apart my life to do ALL I can to see the light of Christ turned on in people’s lives! And FTB’ing is free and simple to do – it’s not the ALL in ALL way of reaching people for Christ – but it is one more way in which I can engage this world I am living in. After all – you’re reading this aren’t you? So do you know Christ? If not then maybe you’ll start a conversation with me regarding why you would want to anyway!
So there you go – hope that makes sense now – but that’s why I’m starting on this journey….
Oh – and don’t forget to join in the conversation!
Chris is the Congregation Pastor of 
