As you scan the list of Technorati’s Top 100 list, pretty much the definitive ranking for blogs worldwide, you’ll notice a lot of names and institutions of the various sort. None, really, are explicitly Christian.
Tim Challies, apparently the #1 Christian Blogger is hanging right inside the 2,000 mark on Technorati, but will most definitely never break into the top 100.
But there is a man who is, and his name is Darren Rowse. Many of you know him as ProBlogger.
He’s currently sitting around #40 on Technorati. It took me a while to find this out, but I had a few hunches after picking up on some of the stuff that Darren would write, but this interview by Tim a while back definitely solidified it as truth.
There’s some very good stuff that Darren and Tim cover, and it’s well worth your read. Here are some quotes from Darren that I think are very relevant and powerful:
One of the things that I became a bit frustrated with over the two or so years that that blog (his first ‘Christian Blog’) was active was that I saw the majority of Christian bloggers gathering together to talk about subjects that related to them – but very little outward focus or interaction with the wider blogosphere.
While I think that there is definitely a place for Christian bloggers to do more inward focussed blogging (fellowship and doing faith together is a big part of what I see us called to do as followers of Christ) I wondered whether we were ignoring another part of what we’re called to be on about – mission.
Since spending less time in the ‘Christian’ blogosphere I’ve found my faith challenged and enlivened in many ways. I now run a large blog network with hundreds of blogs and lots of people working for us. Being involved in a large business in this way brings a lot of challenges in terms of the decisions you have to make and the interactions that you have with others. I think I pray a lot more than I used to as a result!
I’d love to see more Christians to catch a vision for being more outward and missional in their outlook in every area of their lives – including their blogging.
I think there is an incredible opportunity to be a part of the seeing in of God’s Kingdom if we do so.
I often write on ProBlogger that the key to building a great blog is to find ways to enhance the lives of your readers. I think that this fits pretty well with a Christian perspective also.
From what I know of the development of the Printing Press (a technology that changed the world) – Christians were at the forefront in using this tool to print Scripture. Many futurists believe that what’s happening online at the moment is as significant as what happened with the Printing Press – the world is changing. I guess my question is – are we as the Church embracing and using this new technology – or are we being left behind?
I simply love what Darren is doing and how he’s been extremely successful at providing value to anyone and every one. Good stuff Darren, keep it up.
Bill Wolfe says
OK, I've definitely got to give seesmic a try sometime after seeing both of your comments. very cool.
The thing I loved that Darren said was this:
I’d love to see more Christians to catch a vision for being more outward and missional in their outlook in every area of their lives – including their blogging. I think there is an incredible opportunity to be a part of the seeing in of God’s Kingdom if we do so.
Couldn't agree more.
Brandon Cox says
[seesmic EPSNg59IjO|FCbUkhlgEh_th1.jpg http://www.seesmic.com/video/EPSNg59IjO seesmic]
human3rror says
[seesmic A8EZra2dY1|8g8z5rIcfD_th1.jpg http://www.seesmic.com/video/A8EZra2dY1 seesmic]
Rodlie Ortiz says
you better not trash this!!! Keep doing what you're doing. It makes a difference!
human3rror says
😉
Mikes says
Wow! I'm really happy and blessed with the success he is now enjoying. true enough God blesses us to be blesssings to others. Great step of faith! He indeed just like you John are inspirations to me and a lot more out there!
human3rror says
Darren,
Thanks so much for stopping by! you are an inspiration for us all, and thanks for your "missional' mindset…!
Darren says
[seesmic qWB0vOEKx3|gvUQuPOgLu_th1.jpg http://www.seesmic.com/video/qWB0vOEKx3 seesmic]
Phillip Gibb says
very very cool Darren.
I did that 31 Days to a Better Blog from Darren on ProBlogger – really enjoyed it.
Great to see that there are influential Christians out there in the world who are looking and reaching out through their talents and skills – and not stuck looking in on themselves. (this is the part where I look in the mirror and say – speak for yourself buddy – maybe)
Mikes says
Hey guys!
I posted this in Blogcatalog as a broadcast and I'm getting this response: http://www.blogcatalog.com/broadcast/view/30323#r… judge for yourself.
I still am proud of you Darren!
TomUsher says
Hello All,
A person blogging who is fairly privately (Internet-wise) professing Christianity — not a "Christian" blog, per se
Why does anyone have to figure out that he's a Christian? Why doesn't he proclaim it right on his front page? Would traffic fall off and revenue decrease? What are his priorities? These are real questions and not condemnations.
I have a problem with people posing as one thing and claiming something else. I had a huge run-in with a certain atheist over it and was banned from Entrecard on account of it. Please don't take it that I'm putting this fellow, Darren Rowse, into the same category.
What does Arianna Huffington profess? Her blog is rated number 1 by Technorati.
Peace,
For: The Real Liberal Christian Church and Christian Commons Project
Tom Usher
TomUsher says
Hello All,
Pardon me if this ends up a duplicate comment post since my first effort didn't seem to go through properly.
A person blogging who is fairly privately (Internet-wise) professing Christianity — not a "Christian" blog, per se
Why does anyone have to figure out that he's a Christian? Why doesn't he proclaim it right on his front page? Would traffic fall off and revenue decrease? What are his priorities? These are real questions and not condemnations.
I have a problem with people posing as one thing and claiming something else. I had a huge run-in with a certain atheist over it and was banned from Entrecard on account of it. Please don't take it that I'm putting this fellow, Darren Rowse, into the same category.
What does Arianna Huffington profess? Her blog is rated number 1 by Technorati.
Peace,
For: The Real Liberal Christian Church and Christian Commons Project
Tom Usher
K. Frangeskos says
Hi, Great Post and reflective thoughts…
I am trying to "inspire others to turn to Jesus"…
that is HIS wish…
and I would like to invite anyone…
to visit my blog site entitled : JESUS KNOWS YOU BEST. BLOGSPOT.COM
http://jesusknowsyoubest.blogspot.com/
Let me know what you think…I welcome all comments…
God is great…and appreciates all our help…
Best regards,
K. Frangeskos
Paul Steinbrueck says
I think the first time I ever read ProBlogger, several years ago, I read the About page and then clicked over to his "LivingRoom" blog:
http://www.livingroom.org.au/blog/
He hasn't updated it much lately, but it gives you a good idea of where his heart is.
human3rror says
Yes, I've seen that. pretty cool….!
human3rror says
see, your comment wasn't deleted at all. it was caught in the spam filter because you double posted.
http://twitpic.com/6cbrf
human3rror says
please correct your accusations accordingly.
TomUsher says
http://www.realliberalchristianchurch.org/?p=3135…
Lily Brenner says
Well said! I see christians (not all) as being too comfortable in their “comfort zones” about having their needs met, and not being concerned or connected to what the world still needs. I agree about the mission fields that are out there and needing workers to work those fields with a passion, as though they were working side by side with Jesus to bring in a bountiful harvest of souls!
It’s wonderful to fellowship and understand the language of christians in all venues of life, and to be encouraged by one another. We need this, as well as the people of the world who do not know Jesus as Savior!
Hopefully you, I and others can be in agreement and actually put our words in action. Actions sometimes speaks louder than words. 🙂
Respectfully yours,
Lily Brenner