Here’s a tough one and it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a bit:
Can you be both a “good steward” and a “good blogger” at the same time?
Some more thoughts after the jump.
What makes a “good” steward? What makes a “good” blog and/or blogger? I, like many of you, have probably contemplated this at least once in your life. Perhaps not at the same time, but maybe.
And let me clarify: I’m specifically talking about time for the “good steward” part. Am I being a good steward of my time in all aspects of my life? With my family? With my job? With my ministries outside my 9-5? With my passions and gifts that God has given me?
And for the “good” blogging part, I’m talking about traffic and stats. Not because those are what I’m necessarily aiming for but because those metrics are what makes a “good” blog “good” in the world.
Do you see what I’m getting at? We have opposing paradigms here: My Christian “duty” to be a good steward with my time (and everything else) and the secular world that declares your blog sucks if you don’t have good traffic patterns.
Can the chasm be jumped or married?
Sure. I think so. I know a number of Christian bloggers who have world class stats. Are they being “good” stewards…? I dunno. I would hope so.
Your thoughts?
What about this article about “slow blogging” and the “Slow Blogging Manifesto“? Interesting…
Hard to say.. I like you would hope it's possible to be both but I really think it has to do with the 'season' of life you're in at the moment. I'd be remiss in my role as head of the house and to my family if I devoted a ton of time to my blog (thus the sporadic post times on mine). But on the flip side, if you've got something valuable to share with the community that could help people that could be an avenue in fulfilling God's purpose in your life. There are a lot of ways to look at it.
I agree. There are a number of ways to look at it. Unfortunately, I'm one of those "extreme" sorts… balance is hard!
thanks for your thoughts dj.
Blogging (and reading other blogs) can be a real time-eater, but the opportunity to be a person of influence in the lives of others cannot be quantified. That's all I desire. My blog (which I think of as more of a webzine) grew out of a newsletter that was e-blasted monthly to about 200 names for about four years. Ten months later, the readership is only about a hundred per day, but to me that's 30,000 versus 200. Plus, the new readers are from all over the world; but I still have local readers who interact with me in person and tell me how much they enjoy the various news and topics.
At this juncture, I consider this good stewardship of my time. I don't believe that God has called me to be successful; He's called me to be effective. There's a difference.
Hmm, I would probably think that one is being a good steward if they are responding appropriately to what God has called them to do. If God puts it on your heart to write this blog (or ChurchCrunch) then writing them (and responding to God's call) is being a good steward with what God has given you (i.e. time).
I would also try to look beyond metrics (if that is possible?!?!). If your stories on this blog and your recommendations on your other blog are having an impact on even just one person to help advance the Kingdom then I would consider you being a good steward. Sometimes investing in other people's lives takes a lot of time; time that might be "better used" "somewhere else." However, if God has told you to have that impact by investing time in that specific area then responding as such will be a great investment in your time.
Just my thoughts.
good points leo. looking beyond metrics is a great start… and i haven' tlooked at mine for a long time, and i'm digging that "freedom".
responding to what God has called is important… as well as listening when He changes things up.
good thoughts.
possible?
yes.
probable?
no.
peace|dewde
hehe. he's alive!
good points here Paul, thanks for weighing in. there is certainly a difference between "success" and "effectiveness" and i'm glad you pointed that out.
When you're a blogger, it doesn't make you a different man. You reman a Christian who obeys God who said we should be stewards of our time. Let's do both. Uhmm yeah let's struggle to do both.