The Blogging Church: Sharing the Story of Your Church Through Blogs (Leadership Networks)

The Blogging Church offers church leaders a field manual for using the social phenomenon of blogs to connect people and build communities in a whole new way. Inside you will find the why, what, and how of blogging in the local church. Filled with illustrative examples and practical advice, the authors answer key questions learned on the frontlines of ministry: Is blogging a tool or a toy? What problems will blogging solve? How does it benefit ministry? How do I build a great blog? and Who am I blogging for?

The Blogging Church is a handbook that will inspire and equip you to join the conversation.

The book includes contributions from five of the most popular bloggers in the world—Robert Scoble, Dave Winer, Kathy Sierra, Guy Kawasaki, and Merlin Mann, as well as interviews with blogging pastors such as Mark Driscoll, Craig Groeschel, Tony Morgan, Perry Noble, Greg Surratt, Mark Batterson, and many more.

Praise for The Blogging Church

"Brian Bailey makes two things crystal clear in this book: if you've got a church, then you need to spread your story. And if you need to spread your story, blogs are now an essential tool. Time to pay attention!"

—Seth Godin, author, Small Is the New Big

"I had a lot of questions about blogs and their value for my church. I'm thankful that Brian and Terry are sharing their experiences to answer those questions. Their insights are for everyone in ministry. Whether you are reading blogs, writing blogs, or just trying to figure out how to use the word in a sentence, this book is for you."

—Mark Beeson, senior pastor, Granger Community Church

"My talking head is limited to the pulpit proper. I thank God that there's a tool to reach outside the church, to those that are, sadly, outside the church. Thank you Brian and Terry for The Blogging Church."

—Bob Coy, senior pastor, Calvary Chapel, Ft. Lauderdale

The Blogging Church  makes the case for blogs in the local church. As two prominent bloggers on staff at one of the five largest churches in America, the authors have led the adoption of blogs throughout their organization. It answers the central questions: What is a blog? Should I have one? Should my church? How do I start? Is it expensive? What should I look out for? Is it worth it? The authors know that there is no room for technology toys. To invest time, energy, and often money, in a piece of technology, there must be a true justification, a return on ministry, a problem in need of a solution. A church should not adopt blogs because they are the current buzz or the latest fad, but because of incredible opportunity to share the story of the church. 

The Blogging Churchoffers church leaders a field manual for using the social phenomenon of blogs to connect people and build communities in a whole new way. Inside you will find the why, what, and how of blogging in the local church. Filled with illustrative examples and practical advice, the authors answer key questions learned on the frontlines of ministry: Is blogging a tool or a toy? What problems will blogging solve? How does it benefit ministry? How do I build a great blog?and Who am I blogging for?

The Blogging Churchis a handbook that will inspire and equip you to join the conversation.

The book includes contributions from five of the most popular bloggers in the world—Robert Scoble, Dave Winer, Kathy Sierra, Guy Kawasaki, and Merlin Mann, as well as interviews with blogging pastors such as Mark Driscoll, Craig Groeschel, Tony Morgan, Perry Noble, Greg Surratt, Mark Batterson, and many more.

Brian Bailey (LeaveItBehind.com) is the web director at Fellowship Church, led by Ed Young.

Terry Storch (TerryStorch.com) is the campus pastor for Fellowship's Dallas location.

About Leadership Network.

Foreword.

Preface.

ONE: The Story of Blogging.

TWO: Why Blog?

Five Questions with Mark Driscoll.

THREE: Share News.

FOUR: Cast Vision.

Five Questions with Perry Noble.

FIVE: Reach Out.

SIX: Connect Your Staff.

Five Questions with Craig Groeschel.

SEVEN: Learn from Others.

EIGHT: Spread the Word.

Five Questions with Church Marketing Sucks.

NINE: Get Started.

TEN: Build a Better Blog.

Five Questions with Tony Morgan.

ELEVEN: Build a Really Bad Blog.

TWELVE: Feed Your Head: RSS.

Five Questions with Greg Surratt.

THIRTEEN: Podcasting.

FOURTEEN: Warning Labels.

Five Questions with Mark Batterson.

FIFTEEN: Built to Last.

SIXTEEN: The One Thing.

Notes.

Acknowledgments.

The Authors.

Index.