Christian Standard blogs: new weekly voices and conversation
The Christian Standard is launching two new blog sites, alongside a third hosted at PreachingStandard.com. Together, the three writers will post weekly with original perspectives, humor, and encouragement for leaders and readers alike.
- Two Christian Standard contributing editors will publish weekly blog entries.
- PreachingStandard.com adds a third voice aimed at preachers and those who hear them.
- Readers are invited to comment and join the ongoing dialogue.
By Mark A. Taylor
Three new blogs and new voices
As we prepare this issue, Web technicians are putting final touches on two new blog sites. You’ll find them, plus a third whose home is PreachingStandard.com, from links on our home page. By the time you receive this issue, all three writers should be happily blogging every week. We think their entries will make you happy too.
The CHRISTIAN STANDARD bloggers are two of our contributing editors. Both are excellent and often published writers, with a fresh outlook on life and ministry. Jennifer Taylor calls her blog “Write About Now.” Arron Chambers titled his “My Lord and My Blog” (access them by going to our home page). Meanwhile, over at PreachingStandard.com, Brian Jones, author of Standard Publishing’s new book Second Guessing God (it’s already in its second printing), blogs under the heading “Speaking Out of Turn.” Brian promises “humor, encouragement, and outright provocation for those called to preach and those forced to listen to them.” Read just a couple of his entries to see how this is exactly what he delivers.
Why blogs are exploding
In case you haven’t noticed, the world of blogs (Web logs) is exploding. Wall Street Journal quoted a report claiming 35.3 million blogs already exist, and the number doubles every six months. 75,000 new blogs are created each day.
Many of these are inane or profane or both, spewing stream of consciousness from the self absorbed who use the Web for therapeutic catharsis.
Others, of course, offer insight or breaking news about politics, economy, the law or ministry. Terry Wilhite, writing for Rick Warren’s Ministry Toolbox (www.pastors.com), said his piece on blogs at this site attracted more than 4,000 visitors to his blog. Eventually a million readers saw it through syndication. He suggests that local ministers create their own blog and points to “Between Sundays,” written by Ronnie Floyd of First Baptist Church, Springdale, Arkansas, as a perfect example (www.betweensundays.com).
Meanwhile, media outlets and even corporations are trying to tap the power of blogs. CNN reported a job listing on Monster.com for a blog editor “to manage and moderate blogs for clients and to write for the company blog on PR and new media topics.”
Join the conversation
We can assure you that our three new blogs will not be by Standard Publishing. The writers will reflect their individual, creative takes on the world and the church. The opinions stated will be solely their own sometimes edgy, sometimes funny, always original.
In their blogs you’ll find quotes to repeat, ideas to question, and often a new reason to smile. Each blog includes the option for you to comment on what you read. We look forward to the dialogue you and our bloggers will enjoy.
Author: Mark A. Taylor
Mark A. Taylor, who served as Christian Standard editor from 2003 to 2017, retired in June 2017 after almost 41 years with Standard Publishing (Christian Standard Media).
