In a recent email conversation with Alister “Blogologist” Cameron my eyes were opened to something I have noticed before, but never quite clicked with: Many Christians are publishing weblogs to a non-Christian audience. Thus ‘fencing them in’ on just how vocal they can be about their faith. Of the top of my head a few folks I know of are: Alister (obvoiusly), Aaron from Technosailor and Darren from ProBlogger. If you have your own non-Christian site, or are asked to write for a non-Christian site, here are some ways you can incorporate truth and life to your post without openly discussing Christ.
Eternity is Written on Everyone’s Heart
This is the most important thing you need to know. Within each person is a God Shaped Hole. It is a longing for eternity - a longing for God. Many don’t know it, and are filling that hole with something else. If you speak from a reality of Life and Truth out of the Word it will resound within your readers. Even if they don’t fully grasp the reality of what your saying.
Phrophecy
1st Corinthians 14:3 says “He who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.” By having words of encouragement and exhortation within your article (no matter what the topic) you just may tap into prophetic posting.
Pastor Your Readers
Being a pastor isn’t limited to the clergy. You can be a sheperd and a leader at any time anywhere. The realities of honesty, integrity, humility, charity, etc. still exist outside of the church walls. Why not exhort your readers to practice these qualities? They don’t have to be saved to understand that they should “treat others as they should be treated.”
You can be an example and a beacon just by your dimeanor and your actions and your words. Over time your readers will notice a clear difference about you that is so much more than just not cussing.
Love Well
Jesus had a demeanor and a personality that even ashamed sinners felt comfortable and welcome around him. He loved well and because of it people felt empowered to turn from their sins instead of feeling guilty.
If you will love your readers they will find a confidence in your writing that goes beyond your topic. There will be something about you that they just can’t quite put their finger on… It’s called the anointing.
What advice do you have for being a burning and shining lamp for say, a technology blog?
retroman said:
Now this was an Apostolic blog post! I am pretty keen on this since I work in a dechurched area and in a secular marketplace, as do pretty much 95% of believers. I have actually held back from starting my own professional blog due to not being sure I have enough to blog about there. I’m gonna look back into it.
CBB
Posted on March 23, 2007 at 9:28 am
{Shawn} said:
@ Retroman: I originally didn’t write it thinking it would be a part of the Apostolic Blogging series, but then I realized why not? Like you said the majority of Christians are in the marketplace, and that relates to way more than just blogs.
Posted on March 23, 2007 at 9:48 am
Aaron Brazell said:
Interesting post. One thing I have to observe about Christians in general, and this is by no means a slap at you, is that everything seems to take on divine inflation - that is, everything seems to get promoted to a religious level that is, uh, a little disconcerting.
I appreciate the link. I however am probably not the best example of a Christian blogger.
Posted on March 23, 2007 at 10:25 am
Troy said:
Good article; good thoughts and reminders. Nothing to add..
Posted on March 23, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Ben G. said:
Aaron has it exactly right; and that frustrates the crap out of me. I come at blogging from a discipleship and loving perspective. I’m not out to force anyone to do anything. All I want is to show love, speak Truth (biblical truth) and live by example.
Posted on March 24, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Jared Diehl said:
This is good to consider. I have wondered how, as a follower of Christ, I can communicate the message in such a way that people outside of the IHOP walls can understand what I am saying.
Posted on March 25, 2007 at 3:21 am
{Shawn} said:
@ Aaron: I agree that often things take on what you called ‘divine inflation’ by people with too much zeal and not enough wisdom. That is, I think, a problem rooted in the way most Christians actually live thier lives: lukewarm Christianity.
In the late 1700’s two Moravian missionaries sold themselves into slavery so they could be witnesses to the criminals on an island. When asked why they answered, “So the Lamb can receive the reward of His sufferings.” They had been touched by God and thus had fallen in love with people.
Most folks that don’t have a vision for reaching others haven’t really touched God. And that’s why we have so much divine inflation and not enough genuine ministry.
Posted on March 26, 2007 at 6:21 am
Chris (aka BurritoChriS) said:
Brothers,
Your “commentary” is as good as the post! I hope everyone reads the “Commentary!”
Posted on March 26, 2007 at 9:17 am
Armen said:
Cool! As a regular reader of problogger, I have emailed Darren twice to ask if he is a born-again believer. Alas! No reply. However, I know he gets heaps of emails everyday, so I don’t hold it against him at all.
I didn’t know about the other two, I’ll be checking them out. I like to read technology and other blogs too, but it’s even better when they’re authored by Christians.
Posted on March 28, 2007 at 6:52 am
Alister Cameron // Blogologist said:
Armen, Darren and I are acquaintances, on the way to being buddies, coz we live about 20 minutes from each other, and anyway… I’d say he’s just missed your emails. He’s generally very good that way.
Shaun, thanks for the post and the reference to my blog. These are things I ponder and will continue to do so. I think as Christians we need to be strong witnesses, but because the “tone” of my blog is educational and “how to” I want to be careful not to have that same tone about the Lord.
I’d want to be more inductive.
I’ll post my thoughts back here if I get more clarity
Posted on March 29, 2007 at 3:44 am
Armen said:
So you live in Australia? I wouldn’t mind meeting up sometime.
Posted on March 29, 2007 at 6:55 am
Armen said:
I’ve just thought of another Christian who blogs to non-Christian audience…MY WIFE!! It never even clicked when I read this, but my wife has recently been blogging about nutrition because she’s a qualified dietitian.
http://dietriffic.com
Posted on March 29, 2007 at 7:04 pm
A little Something Musical and Thought Provoking to Think About This Week » Technology, Blogging and New Media said:
[...] this video, I share some of my thoughts on faith provoked by this post and this week of Easter. I don’t generally share my faith in this venue. I find it to be a [...]
Posted on April 3, 2007 at 6:21 pm