Here’s a good write up from the GodblogCon conference this last week in The Christian Post.

Here is an excerpt about my session:

Thus, the demographic that would benefit most from a strong Christian presence in the new media is America’s youth, according to a college group leader.

Today, Smith says he hasn’t found a tool more effective and easier to use than Facebook.

Godblogcon, The Christian Post

As you probably already know (since I posted a lot about it on Thursday) I attended and spoke at GodblogCon. I had a great time: First, I learned a lot about some new technology and the new media; Second, there was great conversation, especially at round table discussions about the new media and its impact on different spheres of life; Third, I believe, as do many others, that the new media is going to impact (and it has in many ways already) how we do church; Fourth, meeting people in person that you only know by a blog or website, has a great humanizing effect.

First, in regards to new technology. Nothing new to the world, but new to me in how I want to use it. Mars Hill Church in Seattle did a workshop on podcasting and video casting that I thought was informative and I’ve been thinking more and more about doing some podcasts with some other people, as well as making and posting some more videos. I really enjoyed getting to know Wade Tonkin and he interviewed me with the Flip and I so liked it I purchased one myself. You’ll be seeing the results of this on my blog very soon.

Second, discussion around the new media is nothing new, but this was the first time I had been involved in a discussion with so many people that get it. The new media (however you want to define it) has already had, and will continue to have great impact on our life and the different areas that we inhabit. It was nice to be involved in a discussion with people in groups of 3-5, to sometimes 30, to sometimes 50, about the new media. Everyone had their own thoughts and opinions about it and it was great to put all of our heads together. Usually a conference like this is geared specifically towards tech issues and how to use and apply the tools. Our section of the conference was more about the theology, philosophy and reasons and application behind it. Which was very refreshing. Just because you have the means to purchase the tools, doesn’t mean you should use them. So it was good to think through these tough issues.

Third, I’m not going to say much in this post, because I will say more later. But my whole talk, which you can listen to here, will just give you a very, very small glimpse of how the new media, specifically social networking, has influenced and is changing our ministry. I think one of the take aways for me from the conference that I continually heard over and over again was how the new media tends to level hierarchy in various spheres of life, and there is no longer a “gatekeeper” (a word which Al Mohler used in his talk), or the one person, or group in authority that can demand allegiance to thoughts, flow of information, etc. As I sat in small group discussions it was evident how these technologies are changing the way that many people do ministry. I think this is a great and exciting time, but not without some caution, or thought as we move forward.

Fourth, it’s one thing to know someone only by their blog or website. And when that is the only way we know someone, it’s much easier to make harsh judgments, be critical, and sling arrows via the web. But when you actually meet people, you realize just how human we all are. You realize that we have much more in common, especially Christ. And you realize that we are all trying to generally accomplish the same thing (share Jesus Christ with others) even though our theologies and techniques may differ. Some of these people I have met before and some were new friends. I had a great time hanging out at dinner with Joe Carter of Evangelical Outpost, Matt Anderson of Mere Orthodoxy, Andy Jackson of Smart Christian, Eric Jones of Transformed Daily and Abraham Piper and Josh Sowin of GodblogCon conference. It brings us out from behind our computers where it’s easy to disagree and usually doesn’t take any courage to write posts or make comments, to up close and personal interaction with one another, where it gets us away from our computers, and where it takes courage and authenticity to discuss our agreements, as well as our disagreements with each other…in person.

There were a lot of other interesting things that happened, and I met a lot of great people. Of course Mark Roberts is as great in person as he is on his blog, but I’ll stop for now, and say thank you to Dustin Steeve a Biola Torrey Honors Student. Thanks to Dustin and his team.

Last, I really had a great time getting to meet and know Dr. John Mark Reyonlds who is a professor at Biola and who is the Director of the Torrey program. He did an amazing job facilitating discussion, and for making the conference not just about tech tools, but about the reasons behind us using them, and why we as Christians have a higher cause in mind when we employ the new media.

Godblogcon

Boundless Line is live blogging from the conference.

Godblogcon, live blogging

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that a lot of people have either given up blogging, or slowed down their blogging in favor of more social networking sites? Or social “utility” sites such as Facebook.

Most of my blogging friends and peers have recently befriended me on Facebook….or vice-versa. And on Facebook people are posting notes in place of blogs and everyone is going crazy with the “applications” features.

Obviously I post way, way less than I used to. Most of that is just being busy with my family and some of that is making some choices about where I put my creative energy.

But in the past we’ve tried to put everything on our blogs: music, book sources, photos, etc., but Facebook is making it easier to have everything in one place.

I’m going to keep blogging, but it’s going to have to change in how I approach it.

Anyone finding this to be true?

I’ve been thinking about a lot of things recently. And one of the things I’ve been thinking about is blogging and how my blogging has changed.

If you look at this site www.rhettsmith.com it will say that I posted my first blog on Dec. 17th. That is true, but I actually started experimenting with blogging on our college website in the summer of 2004. So I’ve been going at it for about three years. And it comes and goes in waves. Sometimes I post a lot and sometimes I almost post nothing for days at a time.

One of the things that I have noticed that has changed drastically (at least I think so) is my tone. In the earlier days I was more prone to try and stir up controversy, which was super easy to do.

The formula for blogging success (i.e. internet traffic, comments posted, etc) is to post anything negative about John Piper or John MacArthur….it doesn’t even have to be negative…just that you disagree with them. And then post anything pro Emergent and the emerging church.

That is instant success in the blogging world. Try it. It works.

But what most of you don’t know is that the last two years have been an amazing “inner-personal” journey for me. In the summer of 2005 I began seeing a therapist every week. That’s a lot of sessions. Today was my last day after two years of going every week. I will return again some day, but for now I am on hiatus.

There were many reasons why I went to see a therapist: 1) seeking personal growth; 2) working through past issues/personal baggage; 3) if I’m going to be a therapist which I am planning to do after finishing my MFT, I better have done some personal work and figured out what it’s like to sit across from a therapist. I consider it almost malpractice if I hadn’t.; 4) after being in ministry for so many years, one needs to do some work; 5) figuring out that our identity is not in what we do, but in who we are. Etc., etc. I could list millions of reasons.

But after two years as I reflect back on my journey and I look at my blogging I can trace many trends. And one of the major trends that I noticed was that I became more secure in who I was. Blogging (and I don’t think I’m alone here) is a way for many people to make an identity for themselves, be in the mix, see who comments about them, check on their traffic, etc. All of this feeds a crazy addiction (that most people won’t get…but those of you who blog do) that somehow makes you feel that your blog and you are one and the same. How your blog is doing, somehow gives value to how you are doing. Are you important? Are people reading you? Is traffic up or down? Are people linking my site?

Sounds super crazy I know.

But finally, I think I’ve come pretty close to being in a place where blogging is where it should be in my life. I do it because I enjoy it primarily. Not because I feel compelled to do so under pressure. Or worry that traffic will drop if I don’t post everyday.

And I can credit all of this to my journey in therapy. I’ve learned more about myself in the last two years than I did in the first 30. And I still have a long ways to go. But I also think I’m beginning to become more and more comfortable in my own skin and in who God created me to be, rather than in some image or personality I draft up in my blog.

So in the end, I’ve let go of that 1, 2, 3 formula for blogging success. Because it really doesn’t matter. In the end, we are just people posting thoughts online in our free-time. (for the most part

This last year has been a very hard year to blog. Like most of you I have been extremely busy. Besides working full-time and going to graduate school I have been working as a therapist at a community mental health clinic 15 hours a week (21 hours when you include driving time in LA). I knew that this last year would take a toll on me, but it took a toll in ways that I did not expect.

Mainly, having free time or down time for creative energy. As I became more and more busy with the practicum and everything else, it was my blogging, writing and other creative endeavors that eventually paid the price. Well, I finished up my year practicum last Thursday night and I get those 21 hours a week back.

So I’ve been thinking a lot in the last few days of how I want to best use that time. I also have to consider new things into the equation, mainly as I pursue more work in therapy how much should I blog, etc. That will be something I need to process as many therapists try to maintain a low profile and limit information about them or their views to the public so as not to hinder the therapeutic relationship or process. But I’m also a pastor and blogging is one of the ways that I engage my students and others. And I also enjoy blogging.

So as I have more free time I hope to re-think, re-imagine what this blog can and should look like. I hope to bring something that is of valuable and that is different than what others are doing. There are others who do better than what I could do or bring to the blogging world, so I hope to bring something that will add a new side to the discussion or a new layer, rather than doing what others are already doing better.

I enjoy working with college students, theology, psychology, running, cooking, etc…is there a blog out there for those. HA.

I”m also looking to team up with some of my friends as we are currently working on another blogging project, so that many hands can make the work light.

If you have any thoughts or input about blogging, or what kind of blogs you want to see, please let me know.

Over this last year I just want to acknowledge a few of the blogs that have impacted me. I was online a lot this year, but I wasn’t living in the blogging world as much as I was before my 1 year practicum.

But here are some blogs that I pretty much went to almost everyday for various reasons…you should read them too!

Andrew Jones: The guy is a prolific blogger and covers more topics in theology than anyone I know. Plus he is always steps ahead of everyone else in the “emergent” discussion.

Brent Thomas: Personally, I don’t know when this guy sleeps because he comes up with very lengthy and well though out and researched blogs every single day. I went to college with Brent in Arizona and we have been friends since then. We disagree on a lot of things when it comes to theology, but his perspective has challenged me a lot and has helped me think through my own beliefs more thoroughly.

Chris Gonzalez: Chris is one of my favorite college pastor/ministry bloggers. I’m challenged by his thoughts on college ministry and he helps me re-think, and think through the college ministry I pastor.

Hugh Hewitt: Hugh is a good friend and has probably been the one person who has given me my biggest breaks and opportunities when it comes to blogging and he has encouraged me the most in blogging pursuits.

Lars Rood: Lars is one of my best friends and I credit him to helping me get my start in ministry. When I read Lars’ blog it reminds me not to take myself too seriously. Meaning, Lars is able to look beyond just speaking theology and is able to see God in the midst of all things. He loves working with high school kids also.

Mike Devries: Mike is someone I love to read because of his heart for the local church. I love reading his posts and watching him wrestle out loud with different things. There is a big vulnerability there that I don’t see in many bloggers.

Scot McKnight: Scot is awesome, what else can I say. He touches on everything and I think that he’s one of the most important voices in theology and especially in the “emergent” discussion. I especially love his blogging on women in ministry. He is a much needed voice.

Scott Dunlap: Scott is not a theology blogger and I’m so glad I found his blog. I was getting way too insulated in theology circles. Scott is a runner, knows a lot about running and posts some of the best blogs and interviews on running. If you want to find an interview with some of the top runners in the world, check out his blog. Running is what keeps me sane so his blog is very important to me.

Tod Bolsinger: I like Tod for many reasons and I feel a certain kinship to him though I have never met him. He’s a pastor. He’s a Fuller alumni. He loves running. He loves studying Spanish. He loves many of the same authors as me. One of our favorite professors at Fuller was Ray Anderson. Those are just a few. He is a phenomenal writer and thinker.

Will Samson: Will makes me think more than almost anyone else. His blog is challenging. And it’s not just the content that he posts, but that he also lives out what he preaches. You don’t see that too often. Will helps move me towards areas of tension that I need in my life.

Zach Lind: Zach is someone I love reading. He speaks his mind and he covers a lot of topics. He’s a creative guy (musician), a deep thinker and his views challenge me to think through my more thoroughly as well.

blogs, blogging