Dear Christian Blogger: Just start!

Dear Christian Blogger,

To the Christian who is thinking of starting a faith-based blog or as a few like to call it a Christian blog, today’s letter is for you. I won’t tell you that it is an easy journey but it is definitely worth it.

The question is what is a faith-based blog? First, I would define a faith-based blog by what it is not. As simple as it seems, a lot of people especially myself get conflicted about what it means to run a faith-based blog.

So, What is not a Faith-Based Blog?

• A faith based-blog is not all about theological debates
• A faith-based blog is not restricted to biblical topics (although you may do so if that’s your niche). Defining your niche is the first thing that you may want to do as a blogger.
• A faith-based blog does not imply that you have to be uptight with no sense of humor
• A faith-based blog does not imply that you have it 100% together

The reason why a lot of people dread starting a faith-based blog is because of what they think it is. According to Paul Angone – “Once All Groan Up is a ‘Christian’ blog I have this looming fear that I’ll have to stop being creative, sarcastic, funny, and snarky. I’ll only be able to tweet in Bible verses. Have to write Praise Jesus!! (with two exclamation points) on a more regular basis. Have to tell everyone God Bless You when responding to comments. And will have to set aside an hour a night for long, drawn out religious debates on my Facebook Wall.”

I have to admit that I had the same fear as Paul Angone. I believed that starting a faith-based blog meant that I couldn’t write anything other than scriptures. And if that’s what you believe that you should be doing, then it is also fine.

So, What is a Christian blog?

I also think Paul Angone couldn’t have defined it better – “So what’s a true Christian blog? If I had to put a label on it — it would be a creative, honest place where we’re not afraid to write about those dark, smelly, secrets we all hide and then transform them with beams of hope and Jesus-Scented Air Freshener (a scent that’s kind of sweaty-sandal, mixed with red grapes). A Christian blog would be a place that allows hope and truth to shine through words without even needing to write one single Bible verse.”

I couldn’t agree with Paul more, that a Christian blog is where you share hope and truth. When I started ‘Shalom Truths Magazine’ (stm), the purpose was to bring hope, peace, and truth to its readers. I would define a Christian blog as a blog run by a believer. The exception is when ideas being propagated by the blog are anti-scriptural. A Christian blog is one that draws inspiration from God concerning different topics. So my question is where do you draw inspiration from as a creative?

Why Start a Christian Blog?

The reason for starting a blog differs from one individual to the next, however, these are some of the common reasons to start a faith-based blog;

• Express your faith and believes as a Christian
• Use your gifts for the purpose of the kingdom
• Make new Christian friends
• Make money

Since we have established what a faith-based blog is and isn’t we can go ahead to address the excuses that have kept you from blogging.

Excuse #1 – Everyone is Blogging

If I didn’t start blogging in 2013 this would have been my number one excuse. This may seem like a valid excuse but you need to ask yourself does everyone have the same story as you. Although we may have a lot of #metoo moments with a few bloggers, our stories and experiences or audience are different. If you aren’t blogging and you are convinced that you should, then you are missing out on being a blessing to people that should be reading your blog. Everyone can’t be you!

Excuse #2 – I Need to Plan

A lot of us spend more time in planning than in doing. A lot of us have been saying we would start a blog, we already have the domain name but yet we haven’t started. I encourage planning but planning with action. I know bloggers recommend that you start with ten blog posts but you can create your website and keep it under maintenance and start blogging. A lot of ideas about STM did not come to fruition the first day I started STM. There is still a lot of learning and planning. In fact, this column was created from restructuring and planning.

Excuse #3 – I am not Techie

When I first started I had to pay designers for every little change I needed to make to the website, if this is your situation it is also fine. However, over the years I have learned the necessary skills to keep the blog running. In subsequent letters, I hope to address how to start a blog without being technologically inclined.

Excuse #4 – I do not have the Resources

Don’t we all say this…A good way to start is “start with what you have”. I simply opened a WordPress site and started blogging. If you are a good storyteller (writer), then I think you have the primary resources that you need. Watch out for a post on blogging resources. I am compiling a lot of resources that can help you in your journey as a blogger (in this case a faith-based one).

Excuse #5 – I am not a Minister

I see writing as a gift and using your write-ups to bless others is a ministry; if it is unto God. You don’t have to go to a theology school to become a faith-based blogger if you would like to attend one or workshops I encourage that. You may also decide to attend a conference for faith-based bloggers. However, I think the basic requirement for starting a faith-based blog is to be a Christian and have a relationship with God.

Conclusion

Even if your excuse is that you are not a great writer, you would be amazed the growth that you can experience when you start. What is your excuse?

Are you a new blogger? Or do you have a faith-based blog? Drop the link in the comment section below.

Peace,

Mercy Ebuetse