When Michael Hyatt (former CEO of Thomas Nelson publishers) got to his four year anniversary of blogging, he listed 7 things he had learned from the exercise. Michael’s blog inspired this post.
I’m going to list Michael’s 7 points (with some adjustments), because I resonate with all of them. Then I’ll be adding 5 more of my own.
I’ve been blogging since June of 2008. So it’s been a little over two years since this blog launched. From that time until the time of this blog post, I’ve written 332 posts and the blog has had over 4,200 comments from readers. It’s gotten more than 400,000 views.
I remember as far back as 2001, some of my friends encouraged me to start a blog. And I kept saying to them, “I don’t have the time.”
Well, I didn’t . . . and I still don’t. But here I am, blogging every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. (If I could explain the above sentence to you, I’d be three-fold a Solomon.)
If I started blogging when my friends prodded me 9 years ago, who knows where this blog would have ranked today. (Amazingly, the blog reached #15 on Technorati in “Religion” – I still don’t understand how that happened to be honest. The blog used to be called “Reimagining Church.”)
So here’s my list.
The first 7 are borrowed directly from Michael’s list [my adjustments to what he wrote appear in brackets]:
Blogging helps me clarify my own thinking. This is probably the primary benefit of blogging for me. Sometimes I am not sure what I think about a topic until I have written on it. Writing helps me untangle my thoughts. [True dat.]
Blogging has given me first-hand experience with emerging technologies. I have listened to many CEOs pontificate on this or that technology. But they are not speaking from personal experience—and it shows. When you actually use a technology, your learning and insights go to a higher level. [Word.]
Blogging has provided me with a mechanism for instant feedback. I love the fact that people can comment on what I have written. Whether the comments are good or bad, they help sharpen my thinking. As James Surowiecki said in The Wisdom of Crowds, the “many are smarter than the few.” [Sho ‘nuff.]
Blogging has given others a “peek behind the curtain.” [I’ve adjusted this one a bit. Michael was talking about his role as a CEO.] Some people are interested in the behind the scenes of an author’s work, whether they be books, conferences, or messages. This blog gives me an opportunity to share that with you all.
Blogging has given me a way to engage my readers. [I’ve adjusted this one, as Michael was talking about his employees.] I receive a lot of mail from readers, mostly encouraging. But sometimes from critics. In both cases, I’m asked questions about the things I’ve written. The blog gives me a venue to converse with them directly. One of the things that I find sad, however, is that some critics will blog or critique something I’ve allegedly written, without coming to me about it or asking for a response. One wonders why they won’t appear on this blog to discuss it directly and see if their criticisms hold any weight. But such is life.
Blogging has helped me bypass traditional media when necessary. I didn’t really understand this at the outset, but it has proven very helpful. When the media fail to get the story right, I can quickly address it and provide my side of the story. This has been particularly helpful when we make big decisions that cause people to speculate. A blog post can stop a rumor dead in its tracks. [That was all Michael, but I resonate.]
Blogging has made this ministry more visible. [I’ve adjusted this one also as Michael was talking about his company, Thomas Nelson.] This blog puts an interactive “voice” to this ministry for those who listen to our podcast and read our books, and wish to discover more.
What follows are my 5.
Blogging gives me a sounding board for future ideas and projects. Some of you may have noticed this, but some of my blog posts have shown up as chapters in my books. The blog, therefore, is a great way to get feedback on an idea before it gets published to a broader audience.
Blogging gives me a venue to push the limits on the blogosphere by experimenting with various innovations. I think of the blog as sort of a studio where creativity knows no bounds. Those of you who have been with us from the beginning know what I’m talking about. Some examples are: the one word monologue – the two word monologue - ‘the what if question’ – ‘rant and rave day’ – ‘adventures in being a talk radio show host’ – and the now famous (or infamous) $25,000 give-away to every person who commented and $5,000 to every person who “read” someone else’s comment. That episode made history.
Blogging gives me a venue for showing how all of my work is tied together. This, in effect, helps my readers to better understand any publication that I’ve had a hand in. For instance, some who have read one or two of my books think that I’m all about “church” and “church restoration.” Yes, but not really. Others think I’m all about making/keeping Jesus central. Yes, but not exactly. Others think I’m into throwing fresh nuances on Scripture-reading, especially reading it as narrative. Yes, but not fully. Others think it’s centered on knowing the Lord in a deep way with others. Indeed, but not all. The thread that runs through all of my work is the eternal purpose – God’s epic, grand mission – which is comprehensive in its scope, yet very narrow in its application. It spans the eternals, yet it touches every particular in the here and now.
Blogging has helped me answer my critics with the graciousness of Christ. I hope this is true. One way to reaction to unjust criticism is to get angry, reject it out of hand, defend, or attack back (that’s all flesh). The other is to view it as an opportunity to reveal Jesus Christ in one’s response. Over the years, God has given me an instinct to view it in the latter way. I hope that I’ve been faithful to respond in a gracious manner at all times.
Blogging gives me an opportunity to learn from others. I happen to believe that some of the sharpest people in the world comment on my blog. I’ve been sharpened a great deal by you. Anytime I’ve had a question about something, or asked for feedback on an idea, I’ve been impressed. I’ve learned a great deal from the folks who have taken the time to make comments. Thank you!
Incidentally, if you are a blogger, I can’t recommend the Standard Theme enough.
See also Advice for Bloggers
So what has blogging taught you?
I can agree with just about everything you said. For me, blogging has really helped me to communicate my thoughts better, even in everyday personal encounters. I also never realized it before I started blogging, but I learn a lot better if I write about it after reading some area of scripture, or hearing song, or having a conversation. I love finding new blogs that I frequent so that I can see what’s going on behind the scenes, like you said. It’s great to see how it’s helped you, Frank.
Frank,
Love this list. It provides great perspective and reminds me of all that’s great about the blogosphere. I’m sure it’ll help others to dip their toes in.
Keep up the good work.
Jon
Thanks Jon. That means a lot coming from you, bro.
Appreciate the kind words, Sean.
It is amazing how technology has opened up so many venues to express our thoughts and ideas. I could empathize with your statement: (“I don’t have the time” Well, I didn’t . . . and I still don’t.) Yet you continue to blog.
I very much appreciated and was encouraged by each of the points you made. The idea that “if only I knew then what I know now it might have been different” often creeps into my thoughts. However, I bring myself back to the reality that everything is best in God’s time and for His purpose. Thank you for this post Frank.
As an author, I was told that blogging would be a great way to market my book. Interestingly enough once I started to blog regularly, I realized that the ministry potential was just as huge in “blogosphere” as it was in the writing/publishing world. I enjoy interacting with my readers and I relate well with each one of Hyatt’s points. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Lynn
http://lynndove.wordpress.com/
Long live the Blogoshere!
This post makes me want to start a blog…
Keep up the good work, Frank, what you’re doing for Jesus is really inspiring.
Regarding #8:
If you are up for any ideas/projects (however, they may not be new ones to you), I wish to say that I think many would greatly benefit from a video documentary of “Pagan Christianity” and museums. I encounter many personality types not be able to take in the book, or may not be drawn to reading in general, but a museum where it is laid out visibly may reach out to even more Christians who are groping for these truths.
I first picked up PC while we were enroute to the mission field in Slovakia (where we are living now). This included some touring (of Chicago, Dublin, Prague, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna) with a dear, but agnostic, uncle whose greatest joy is the art and architecture of the great cathedrals. (From our perspective that in itself seemed interesting proof for the many pagan aspects of churchianity.)
Anyway, as I began to devour the book, I couldn’t help but invision the many cathedrals around the world, many unused and abandoned, with “Pagan Christianity?” applied to them as museums.
Unfortuately, I have no means or connections to facilitate these ideas myself, but maybe “throwing it out there” could make it happen someday.
Hi brother Frank, I’m enjoying browsing throuogh your blog site from time to time. I’ve read most of your books and think we are kindred in many of your positions. I’d like to ask, if you don’t mind a few questions about Jesus Manifesto, ok?
First, could you please give me the three most important specific and practical points you think I or any reader should have gotten from the book?
Second, could you please give me three specific and practical points you make in your book that you would say aren’t found in any other book you know of?
Lastly, could you give me three specific and practical examples of how organic church can focus on the supremecy of Jesus, first when gathered and then when not gathered.
I look forward to hearing what you (and maybe your readers) have to say about my questions. Take care…
Hi Peter.
1. it would be much better for you to get the answer to your questions from folks who have read the book and reacted firsthand. Skim through these testimonies.
http://frankviola.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/reader-reactions-to-jesus-manifesto/
2. a few come to mind. A unique unfolding of Jesus Christ as the Tree of Life and what that means. A critique of WWJD and why. A right-brain presentation of Colossians chapter one, a presentation of Jesus’ most favorite place on earth and how it applies today, and a chapter on “If God Wrote Your Biography,” and how it would be Jesus Christ. And a take on social justice that transcends the old tired “justice” verses “justification” dichotomy. The book explains all of the above of course.
3. No time for that, but I’ve already done this in “Reimagining Church” and “Finding Organic Church.” You can see a further answer to this in my recent discussion with Neil Cole. Be sure to listen to the audio clip. http://frankviola.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/missional-organic-church-an-interview-with-neil-cole-frank-viola/
You may also interested to listen and read the interviews Len and I have done on the book which address these questions further. http://www.theJesusManifesto.com
Glad you started blogging, Frank, and continue to do so…
#13. Blogging allows Frank Viola to reveal that he is a believer with a sense of humor. (And I like that about you. God bless.)
Frank,
I like this list and can resonate with all of your points.
The only one I would add is that I have learned from blogging that people are looking for good content that edifies the Church. So as a blogger, I try to offer insights that are beneficial in my main post, or at least point people to other good material in my “Worth a Look” posts. If blogging can be seen as an act of service, then the best way to serve may – at times – be to point people elsewhere for good content.
Trevin, thanks for stopping by and commenting. I agree with you. One of the things I’ve done on a regular basis is interview other authors and bloggers (we had Tim Challies on here once not too long ago).
This, to my mind, also helps break the “echo-chamber” phenomenon that blogs very often get bogged down in. Where the same readers comment on the same blogs. It becomes an echo-chamber of sorts.
I think having so many different guests on this blog has helped to break that “echo-chamber” phenomenon. I’d like to see others do more of this as well. I know you’ve done some interviews on your blog, so I appreciate that very much.