Start A Blog
Why do you want to start a blog, exactly?
There are no doubt hundreds of good reasons why Christians start blogging, but they can all be boiled down to only seven. (At least that is what I plan to do here, so hopefully this works!)
Because blogging platforms like WordPress, and blogging themes like Standard Theme and the Genesis Theme Framework provide anyone with a computer and internet access the ability to set up a blog, new blogs are constantly popping up on a variety of topics and for a number of reasons.
But why do Christians start blogging in the first place? What motivates us to put our thoughts and ideas out there in the blogosphere? Here are the seven reasons why.
1. Because It Is A Lot Of Fun
Blogging is fun. Really, it is. Many Christians start blogging simply to have fun or even as a creative outlet. The most visited and/or read blogs are those where the blogger has a passionate interest in their blogging niche and can concisely share that passion with others. If you enjoy the topic you’re blogging about then you will more likely blog frequently and connect with your readers on a regular basis.
2. Because You Want To Help Other People
Some Christians start a blog to help others who may be going through similar trials and circumstances, such as how to deal with grief, whether or not to homeschool their children, issues related to separation and divorce, and even infertility. These types of blogs are great for those who have a desire to connect with others experiencing the same problems and victories, and share their thoughts, insights and advice to those in need.
3. Because You Want To Change The World
Others start blogging to teach about theology, to share the gospel—electronically—with unbelievers from all around the globe, or to sway people’s thinking in a certain direction (A polite way of saying ranting and raving, but in a loving way. LOL).
4. Because You Want To Teach Others
If you have a lot of knowledge about something, you can start a blog to teach others about it. For example, let’s say you are very much into adoption and have loads of friends who are thinking about adoption, have adopted already, or are currently in the home-study process right now. Using your adoption expertise as blog fodder, you can teach others how to go about the adoption process, educate people on what agencies you’ve worked with in the past, offer tips, tricks, and training, and provide testimonies from your friends about their own adoption experience.
5. Because You Want To Make Money
Some Christians start blogging in order to promote and/or sell their latest book or merchandise, or simply to earn a living (or just some extra coin here and there). But this takes hard work and commitment in order to make it worthwhile, not to mention make a profit. Most blogs make no money at all, but the potential to do so is there for a frugal blogger willing to invest the time and effort it takes to create a decent income from blogging.
6. To Direct Traffic To Their Church Or Ministry Website
Christian bloggers often start a blog as a way of directing more traffic towards their church website (or other ministry) so that churchgoers looking for a new church will be able to find theirs. A blog is a great way to connect with potential Sunday visitors, as well as keeping your current membership up to speed on what’s going on in and around your church community. Moreover, creating a blog is a great way for church leaders to market and promote various ministries in a creative and engaging way.
7. To Give God Glory
I couldn’t end this post without pointing back to the main reason we are to be doing anything in this life, which includes blogging. Everything comes down to worshiping God, honoring the Lord Jesus Christ, and serving one another. But we always need to be reminded to keep God first in everything. After all, isn’t that what the apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians about?
[stextbox id=”custom” caption=”1 Corinthians 10:31″]”Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”[/stextbox]
So remember this loose paraphrase the next time you embark on the pathway of social media: Whether you Blog, or Tweet, or Post, or Pin, or StumbleUpon, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God!
What Should You Do Next? Allow Me To Suggest Two Things:
- Please leave a brief comment or suggestion below and let me know what you think about this article, whether good, bad or otherwise.
- Look down. See those social sharers? Would you mind tweeting, sharing or “liking” it to your social media followers? (You’re awesome, by the way. Thanks!)
* Photo credit: wwarby (Creative Commons)
* Credit to Brian Gardner for the info for this post
Tell us about why you started blogging and what you hope to get out of it. Use the comments section below to tell us about your faith-based blog and provide a link to it.
Easy: a friend told me that a blog would be a good venue for putting my material out; started my first blog in the fall of 2006; focus on what I learn from the word of God
That’s great! Do you have a specific or narrowed “focus” in your blog writing, or simply a generalist? Some people focus on parenting from a Christian perspective, or gender issues, etc. What about you?
PS: I just started using this domain a few days ago for blogging. You’re my first visitor to leave a comment. I feel like you should win a $1,000,000 or something. 😉
I started blogging because it does virtually what I want to do physically… travel the globe and share about Christ.
It allows me to share my thoughts with the world, and has potential to open doors for me to speak in other places.
I thought that creativity and communication would be my focus, but I am starting to focus more on family, and purpose.
I think that’s one of the benefits of blogging… because it’s so public, and it’s more than 160 characters, I think it helps to define your voice.
Aaron, I totally agree. Blogging is one of the greatest ways to be involved in the Great Commission. I am amazed whenever I check my analytics to see who has visited my blog(s) and from what countries. There are people from all around the world…every single day…who show up and read something. That is amazing!
God works in great and mysterious ways. Blogging allows Christians the opportunity to have a overseas “mission” that we could never otherwise even dream about.
Regarding your focus, I actually like both of them. It is challenging finding that “niche” that both drives our passion—but isn’t already being done a thousand times by others more famous that ourselves. Creativity and communication is a good niche, but I think that “family” is much more defined and you’ll find greater readership in that niche over the long run.
Keep up the great work, my friend!
I started my blog in 2006 simply because that was social networking at the time. That’s how I kept up with my friends and they kept up with me before Facebook, Twitter, etc.
In 2007, I slowly turned to blogging about various topics from religion to politics.
Over the last couple of years, as the pastor a church, I came to realize the value of sharing the gospel and providing biblical teaching on my site. I don’t make a profit but its value is priceless.
I blog at http://jeremysarber.com
Jeremy, that’s awesome. Wow, 2006 is a lifetime ago when it comes to blogging. Keep up the great work, my friend, and may God richly bless you!
Since I was a younster I’ve had ideas and questions tumbling over themselves in my brain. When I discovered blogging a few months ago, I knew I had found the venue I needed to share these mental ramblings. Now, I feel as though I might burst if I don’t write. My spirit-gifted wife, Rosa Maria, shares with me my passion for exploring God’s amazing ways, with each other personally and with the world. And blogging also offers a great platform to talk about my soon-to-be-published book Holy Libido:Craving Passionate Life in God. Please stop by and visit us at rodandrose.com
Awesome! I pray that the Lord uses your virtual ministry mightily!
#7 is exactly why I created and blog at igivegodalltheglory.wordpress.com God has done amazing work in my life and I want to share that with the world because if He did it for me he’ll do it for everyone.
Hi Charles,
I launched my first blog ever just 3 weeks ago. I wanted to share my story of healing from early childhood abuse for several reasons. 1. So others who have also suffered as I have would know that they are not alone (however true we all know that is, it is always nice to be reminded). 2. So I could encourage others and share the comfort God has given me (as per 2 Cor 1:4). 3. So that God would be glorified – Satan had plans to harm me, but God is using it for good!
Hi again! Forgot to mention in the above comment…
It would mean a lot to me if you would check out my blog
incrementalhealing.wordpress.com
Like I said, I am very new to this and am trying to spread the word about my blog so that others will be able to read the wonderful things God is doing in my life. Thanks, and I would absolutely LOVE your feedback.
God bless