99. Blogs, Podcasts, Blogcasts, and Blogpods
I’ve taken some time away from the blogging world to recover from a short illness, to focus on other writings, and to keep up my day job during a rather intense time of traveling the state, preaching at churches, and meeting with pastors and laypersons. This absence from the blog has given me time to reflect upon its usefulness and value, and to ponder its future. I’d be interested in your thoughts on this, too.
I wrote my first entry for the Five Practices Blog just over one year ago, and since then I’ve submitted nearly one hundred entries. I’ve been surprised in some measure by the wide reach of the blog. Many times I’ve encountered avid readers among the laity in small rural churches in the mid-west, and other times I’ve been delighted by comments and personal email I’ve received from people in states across the US and from countries around the world, including Germany, Scotland, Russia, and the Philippines. Pretty cool. And several blog entries have been picked up for re-publication by the United Methodist Reporter, Lewis Center on Church Leadership, and by various other blogs and periodicals. The unexpected and mostly unknowable penetration of the material into various contexts and conversations is perhaps the most interesting, rewarding, and positive fruit of the effort.
On the other hand, the relatively small number of people who subscribe to receive email reminders (a few hundred), the limited number of comments or responses on the blog itself, and the fairly low numbers of contacts overall (in contrast to the high visibility and great receptivity to the Five Practices book) call into question the usefulness of the blog. Does it serve a helpful purpose? Is it worth the effort and time? What is the value and impact? How well does it serve pastors, laypersons, congregations, the conversation about the Five Practices, or the role of the Episcopacy as I seek to serve Christ and the church? Those are the kinds of questions I’ve been mulling over.
The original purpose of the blog was to “identify and connect congregations and church leaders who seek to multiply their ministries by repeating, deepening, and improving on the Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.” Along with the FivePractices.org website, the Five Practices Blog was intended to serve as a source for new ideas, best practices, suggested readings, etc, to help pastors, laity, and congregations cultivate more fruitful ministries. As with any such endeavor, the purpose has morphed through the year. Many of the most well-received blog entries were personal reflections from my journey as a pastor, bishop, and father, or were “thought pieces” about young adults in the UMC, the economic downturn, or the value of taking risks in ministry. I’ve tried to avoid bureaucratic bishop-speak as much as possible.
Don’t misunderstand my intention with today’s blog: I’m not thinking about stopping, but I would like to invite you to help me with course correction or redirection before I start the second hundred entries. How are we doing? What would prove most helpful? What’s of primary value to you in this blog? The practical ideas? The personal reflections on pastoral practice? The conversations that these provoke? The focus on the Five Practices? The sharing of experience? Simply hearing what one bishop thinks? Something else? And what would you like to see added or done differently? Help me discern the value and future of the blog.
I’ve recently been part of several conversations with people encouraging me to step deeper into the ethereal world of internet communications rather than to retreat from it. (Hard to imagine, since I can barely figure out how to answer calls on my iPhone!) We’ve been bantering about the possibility of audio podcasting to supplement the blog. These might take the form of 10-15 minute weekly podcasts that would include:
1. Short interviews conducted by me with pastors or laity about a particular ministry or best practice in their congregations,
2. Short interviews by me with church leaders I have the privilege of meeting in my travels, such as other bishops, political leaders, writers, national church leaders, etc.
3. Personal reflections on my experience and travel or about significant issues that face the church. These podcasts (or Blogcasts? Blogpods?) would be accessible for listening by clicking on your computer or could be downloaded automatically by free subscription from any of several podcast sites. (Those who know what I’m talking about…well, they know what I’m talking about. Others will have to learn along with me!)
Let me know what you think, either by commenting on the blog site, or by emailing me directly at RSchnase@aol.com. I enjoy writing, and I’ve appreciated the stimulating conversations that many of the blog entries have provoked. But I’m also clear that this is not about me, and I don’t want this to become self-indulgent, or just more junk mail for people to sort through. This is about how to strengthen the ministry and mission of our church by encouraging one another to greater fruitfulness to the glory of God.
Yours in Christ,
rs
1. Andy B. wrote on 12/9/2008 1:07:00 PM
The form our communication takes does not matter as much as the content of the communication, I believe. Next month at Ministers' School, I am hopeful that we'll have a chance to think about questions like this together. All the latest gadgets and newest technology is worth nothing if the content of the message isn't worth it.
The answer to your questions about my primary value derived from this particular form of communication: it is simply that I have a direct line to my bishop's ideas about the church. Secondarily, I feel like I know you a little bit better as you share your ideas through this blog - it enhances our relationship.
2. Susan J wrote on 12/10/2008 7:51:24 AM
This is my first comment to a blog. Although I use the computer a lot and I love technology, I am in the over 50 age group. I have been slow to sign-up for any blog mostly out of fear and ignorance and the constraint of time to figure out how this all works. I am a new subscriber but have read all of the postings (this is the 3rd or 4th), since I signed up. Perhaps others out there are like me. I would encourage you to continue on. Your on the right track.
3. Carol Blackwell wrote on 12/10/2008 9:43:37 AM
I must say I signed up for your blog and expected to have an email sent every time you posted anew one. I know we receive that info from net news. I have read many of your blogs and enjoy them but in the busy life of a pastor it is difficult to find the time to respond. Frankly I was not sure my order to recieve your blog was even gotten. Perhaps there is a kink in the system that may need exploration. When it says sign up what does that mean? I did that an frankly nothing happened. So it may have been computer error on my end or yours? So perhaps many people are like me signing up and not having anything happen. Then not taking the time to go through the net news link. Just a thought.
4. Pam E wrote on 12/10/2008 10:37:17 AM
Your blog has helped me to learn about who you are as our bishop, and to occasionally share that with my congregation. Sometimes I post your blog on the bulletin board or share it with a Sunday school class. I've quoted you more than once during a sermon, and I have encouraged members of the congregation with computer access to read your blog. Your blog helps to bridge the distance between the bishop and the person in the pew.
5. Glenn wrote on 12/10/2008 11:00:41 AM
I frequently read your blog and love what you have to say--I find it so relevant to what I need as a UMC pastor struggling to minister in th 21st Century. I am a fourth generation methodist pastor in Florida and I remember my grandfathers (both of them were presiding elders in the days of traveling from church to church conducting quarterly conferences) speaking about their conversations with all the churches and how people were so excited to hear what was happening elsewhere. Today's blogging is just like that--sharing the exciting news of what's happening elsewhere and how we connect. Blogging is vital for today (we all know how important the bloggers were in the recent presidential election) and I certainly encourage you to keep on--your words are important to me even though you are not "my" bishop. Thanks!
6. Fred Koenig wrote on 12/10/2008 11:24:28 AM
Carol,
To subscribe to the blog, go to the Web site www.moumethodist.org/stayconnected. There you will have the option of subscribing to up to four different e-mail newsletters, including the Bishop's blog. All you have to do is check the box next to the newsletter you want to receive, and then enter your first and last name, e-mail address and the security code given on the screen. You should receive the next blog as soon as it is posted. If you have any problems, e-mail me at fkoenig@moumethodist.org.
7. Donna N. wrote on 12/10/2008 12:28:01 PM
I have read nearly all of Bishop Schnase's clearly written, interesting, and thoughtfully relevant "blog-stuff" on the Five Practices site and found them useful to pastoring my small (but mighty) congregations. Perhaps there are hundreds of pastors like myself as well as lay persons who read the blogs and gain insight yet don't respond with comments. Shame on us!
8. Jim Voigt wrote on 12/12/2008 5:26:24 PM
I like the blogs and the fact that I have a bishop that blogs. As someone in seminary it helps me understand what your vision and beliefs are. When you blog it helps me to understand what things are most important to you and should be important to me as a future Missouri UM pastor. You also raise up helpful examples of healthy churches in our state and what they are doing that makes a difference. I like that you are focused but I wouldn't mind seeing a post on something more personal every once in a while: family, vacation, thought on life, hobby, etc. I also think the video interview idea is awesome! I would try to keep it short- 4-10 minutes. Interviews with pastors or lay leaders who are doing new and different things in ministry, discipleship and worship. I think your blogs are insightful and one of the few ways I have to connect with who you are and what your goals are as our bishop. Try to stick with it:)
9. Sara wrote on 12/13/2008 10:45:45 PM
Bishop, I was trying to count the number of times I actually see you in a year and suffice it to say the primary one is annual conference. However, I always read the blog and feel it is your finest form of communication. Whether you are speaking with pride about your sons or walking through the woods or watching birds or with respect for a colleague, or insights for effective ministry, your writer's voice is thoughtful, considered and kind. Would it be cool to glimpse your world of travels and conversations with church-famous people? Sure, but you're the author and choose well your topics whether they be humble or world-recognized. This medium helps us know you and is a form of 21st century leadership that you wear well. It connects you to the reader, lets us know what is on your mind for a moment and helps me teach the Five Practices or speak about 'the Bishop' in a way that a few sightings in a crowd would not do. Thank you for being accessible in this way.
10. Randy wrote on 12/14/2008 12:10:46 AM
Thanks for your blog. This my first comment. :-)
I was recently appointed to a new church (in Central PA) and I'm planning to lead our leaders through the Five Practices book early in the new year. Looking forward to it.
Thanks again for your work and writing!
11. rev mommy wrote on 12/26/2008 9:45:25 AM
I read several hundred blogs through an aggregator weekly, a hundred or so daily. I comment very seldom. I have found to end the posting with a question can frequently cause more commenting traffic.
The beauty of this medium is the community that can build around it. Intentionally building an online community could be a possible direction to go. There are many people serving in rural areas (among others!) who feel isolated. This medium helps bridge the gaps.
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