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I’ve been blogging since June of 2008. Since then, I’ve written over 700 posts.
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. (If I could explain the above sentence to you, I’d be three-fold a Solomon.)
So here’s my list.
1. Blogging allows me to pre-test my ideas and writing.
2. Blogging allows my readers to get to know me better.
3. Blogging helps me clarify my thoughts on a particular topic.
4. Blogging gives me a way to engage my readers beyond my books and podcast.
5. Blogging has made my ministry more visible and far-reaching.
Click here to read the rest of the list.
Neil Cole & Frank Viola Discuss Organic Church
My thoughts on blogging?
Where there are many words sin abounds, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.
Dear Frank,
I’ve just recently discovered your books and have ordered Pagan Christianity and Reimagining Church. I have also seen a criticism of Pagan Christianity by Trevin Wax. Have you responded to his commentary and if not could you do so. I would love to read your response. Thank You!
Wax’s “critique” was profoundly weak and he never came to me or George for us to review it before he published it, which he should have. You can go to this page http://www.paganchristianity.org/answers.php and see a response to every argument critics have leveled. The book has yet to be discounted.
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.
#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.)
Glad you started blogging, Frank, and continue to do so…
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
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.
This post makes me want to start a blog…
Keep up the good work, Frank, what you’re doing for Jesus is really inspiring.
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
Long live the Blogoshere! 🙂
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.
Appreciate the kind words, Sean.
Thanks Jon. That means a lot coming from you, bro.
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
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.