It’s been an amazing year here at ChurchCrunch.
If you would have told me a year ago that I’d be a part of a growing community of believers who were passionate about leveraging web technology and exploring how we can use it for the Kingdom I would have looked at you funny.
But I was wrong. And that’s the best part.
For the longest time I thought I was one of only a few that really saw the potential of the web as a vehicle to communicate the Gospel; I had a limited perspective and an even smaller network available to me. But that all changed the moment God opened the right doors and enabled me to have the freedom to write about things that I had been storing for years.
It was the blogging medium that changed it all. And the last 365 days has been a true exploration into how community is generated in a context where the motivation for writing is greater than traffic numbers and financial goals. It’s been a fascinating ride.
And now that the 1st year is over, I have begun to seriously re-evaluate where I want this thing to head. What’s the next step? Being one of the larger technology-centric blogs in the evangelical space has put me in a unique place; the vantage is seen differently and bars of excellent are tuned a pitch higher.
To be completely transparent with you, I’ve even thought about shutting it all down. It’s not for lack of motivation and certainly not a lack of content; I’ve just become very comfortable with the idea that it’s a complete fallacy to believe that I’m that unique to the point where the world would stop turning if I were to disappear. Obviously not. When one blog dies a 100 more are birthed.
In all seriousness, one of the significant reasons that I want to and will continue is you. You, my fellow reader, are doing amazingly-creative things with what you read here. You are doing the real ministry where you take thoughts here and put them into practice. That’s where true value is generated. And in the few times where I’ve heard the stories of application I could have died a happy man. You are changing the face of ministry in today’s social-technology landscape and, as a result, changing lives.
That’s why I’m so stoked about the party that’s happening a week from today. Next week, Tuesday night, we’re having a party to celebrate a year of you. Sure, ChurchCrunch may be the catalyst that’s bringing you there (and that “other” Catalyst thing…) but I want it to be a celebration of your accomplishments and contributions.
Without the essential ingredient of you, honestly, its just a blog.
Because of you, I keep moving forward, exploring new opportunities to honor your time, effort, and work for an unbelievable King. It’s the best darn way I know how to serve servants.
So thank you for giving ChurchCrunch a valuable reason and purpose. I love my station. I love what God has challenged me to do this year. I love that this season isn’t even close to being over, and I’m glad that we’ve set aside a little time to celebrate it.
I hope to see you there. Remember, it’s YOUR party anyways, so you better be there, and I’ve got some gifts for you.
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CCParty.org
Phillip Gibb says
wish I could be there and give you a mug or something for your blogirthday lol
human3rror says
blogirthday! love it! never heard of that word before…
klreed189 says
John you are the man and I appreciate all you do for me and the blogging community.
Wish I could be at the party, but here is an early congrats.
human3rror says
thanks bro! you've been an awesome part of this community… thanks for hanging out. can't wait for the next year and what's in store…
Darren Ethier says
Well, since I'm flying in for catalyst anyway I thought I might as well drive the distance that night to join in the festivities! Wonder if I'll be the only Canadian there eh?
human3rror says
that'll be awesome!
Darren Ethier says
Google Maps is showing the Holiday Inn by the Gwinnet Center about 35 minutes away… is that about right?
human3rror says
hmm. not sure? where are you staying? are you coming to catalyst i assume?
Darren Ethier says
I'm staying at the Holiday Inn by the Gwinnet Center (where Catalyst is being held). And yes I am coming to catalyst.
human3rror says
sweet!
Daniel Roberts says
I was so excited about this until I realized my friend Bono was throwing a party at the Georgia Dome that same night. Admittedly, yours is free and his I had to pay for, but I just couldn't let him come all the way from Ireland and not attend. Perhaps next year.