Ever since I wrote on Apostolic Stewardship I’ve had a lot of energy to build FTSA into a more effective, influential, high-traffic blog. Even though I am seeing a steady amount of growth, and have exceeded my original expectations in terms of comments and daily visits - it’s not enough. I have set my goals higher. Much higher.
My reason? I want to change the face of Christianity. I want you to get on fire for God and never look back. I want you to touch God in a way that you’ve only read about. I want you to fall in love with Jesus. And when you do, I want you to take as many people with you as you can.
Our Golden Hour
If you are a writer then this - more than any other time in history - is your hour. You have the opportunity to influence literally billions of people; and you can do it from your laptop in Starbucks.
The power and platform you have at your keyboard is astounding. People are voluntarilly reading what you have to say. If used right, those words have the power to invite people into a deeper reality than even Google, Apple or Digg have to offer.
(If you haven’t yet read Dave’s posts on this subject you need to: I & II. But after you read the rest of this post.)
AdSense = Souls
When I read posts about how to make more money on my blog, I read it “How to connect to more souls.” I have a passion for quality content and heavy traffic. So I can influence the readers.
Most blogs out there are writing to make money. They’re trying to be unique and one of a kind in order to get more traffic to get more click-throughs to get more income. But as Christians we can have a completely different goal: To Change the World.
As a Christian Blogger I want to get that niche, draw more readers and change their lives. My advice to you, if you are a Christian writer: Get a message burning in your heart and then post with boldness.
Burn Your Blog
My original vision statement for this blog was:
that it would be a place where we (a.k.a. me and You the Reader) can get little pieces of fuel for our own burning hearts. Here’s to bonfires.
Right now I want to clarify my committment to you: I not only want this to be a place where you can get fuel for your own internal fire, but also a place of equipping. Build the bonfire in your heart and then go “burn your blog” for all to witness.
I Need Your Help
I am unashamedly asking for you to help me build this site. I need each and every one of you who have a vision for more to come out of the blogosphere to help build the content, the comments and build the readership on FTSA.
I’m tired of technology, design, and money dominating the blog world.
If you belive in what I’m saying then let’s make FTSA a place where all of us can fight for revival.
JoAnna said:
I wholeheartedly agree. I am becoming more and more convinced that the end of this age is very near. People must fall deeply and madly in love with Christ. I want to do whatever I can to spread the message of God’s passion and love. I first started my blog to offer far away family members pictures of the fam, but have realized (through your blog and a few others’) that through mine, I have a unique way to reach the world and share what God is revealing to me: minute-by-minute. Just tell me what to do. I’m in.
Posted on February 16, 2007 at 7:17 am
Marc said:
I agree wholeheartedly. After reading Sliker’s article about “wordcasting” I created my own blog. I have placed your link on my blog. Or should I say, “wordcast.”
Lord Bless
Posted on February 16, 2007 at 10:23 am
couch said:
Amen Shawn!
I’ve started a little writing troop down here in Texas, where various authors commit to writing for one blog. We are from different backgrounds, but are headed the same direction - to blaze for Jesus’ name!
Check us out at seventeenthree.com - and will be sure to promote FTSA, read, and comment as well.
Together with you, fighting the good fight of faith!
Posted on February 16, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Shawn said:
@ Couch: I have checked you guys out. You’ve got a good thing started down there on 17:3.
And you get it. I look forward to seeing more of you guys and hearing some of your advice and wisdom.
Posted on February 16, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Dennis said:
This is great Shawn. I am a Christian blogger also and I think it is great. We need to all band together.
Posted on February 16, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Story Of A Bullock » Blog Archive » Building an Apostolic Blog | Fighting to Stay Awake said:
[...] Shawn over at Fighting to Stay Awake has a great post on his mission to express his love for Christ through his blog. I have this same mission and it is great to see others doing the same! Posted at 6pm on 02/16/07, Filed Under: Asides. [...]
Posted on February 16, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Shawn said:
@ Dennis: I am glad you like the idea. I would love to see more and more Christians step up their vision for their blog. It’s an excellent platform and gives us all an amazing opportunity to be messengers.
Over the next few posts I am wanting to talk more on how we get a message, in order to be messengers.
Posted on February 16, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Shawn said:
@ Joanna: Your comment got flagged as spam for some reason, and I just now found it…But you totally get it.
You are right that it is the end of the age, and we have a unique opportunity to reach the world.
Right now I’m asking everyone who has a similar vision to help build the community on this site. I’m wanting this to be a place of equipping and sending. Then I want to see you guys with blogs get a message burning in your heart and use your site as a place for God to speak. To help equip those in your circle. There’s no way one of us can touch everyone.
Posted on February 16, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Yuri said:
Your last comment about equiping and sending got me interested … can you lay out more vision for that?
This is great shawn, keep sharing your heart. I see a wave building…
Posted on February 17, 2007 at 9:56 am
Shawn said:
@ Yuri: A major focus I want to streamline on here is help equip and lead those who are called to be messengers.
I will be giving more detail in the next few days.
Posted on February 17, 2007 at 10:44 am
antje -- Why blogging...-Warum bloggen... said:
[...]This is meant for German still “blog-shy” Christians. I am paraphrasing these Posts by Dave Sliker and Shawn Blanc:
Change the earth…
Two necessary things…
Building an Apostolic Blog [...]
–The rest is in German:) But thanks for sharing your heart and writing great posts…
Posted on February 17, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Warum Bloggen… - Why blogging « Something like… said:
[...] these Posts by Dave Sliker and Shawn Blanc: Change the earth… Two necessary things… Building an Apostolic Blog If you understand this, go and read their posts. If not, maybe you should try the [...]
Posted on March 12, 2007 at 3:09 am
Apostolic Blogging: 2 Lies About Ministry | The Fight Spot said:
[...] I suggest you read the first post on apostolic stewardship and then this intro post on building and apostolic blog. Also, those of you who write for a non-Christian site, don’t go disqualifying yourself just [...]
Posted on May 2, 2007 at 8:51 am
Daniel said:
I am a minister and have been blogging about 2 months. My purpose was to put some edifying words out there for fellow christians. I love your vision and will be praying for you. God Bless.
http://www.apostolicmessenger.wordpress.com
Posted on September 28, 2007 at 7:19 pm