Blogging our Mission Stories

An Introduction to Internet Blogs with Mission Applications

Presenters

• Lead by - The Rev. Matthew Scott

• Joined by – The Rt. Rev. Laura Ahrens– The Rev. Betsy Tesi

Outline of the workshop

• Intro to Blogging• Why Blog?• Issues to Consider• Our Experiences as Bloggers

Questions Always Welcome!

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About us

• What have we done with blogs?• How do we see blogs as a part of our ministry?

About You

• How many of you have read a blog?• How many of you have posted or commented on a blog?

• How many of you have administered a blog?

• How many of you are confused by the terms “posting”, “commenting”, “and “administering”?

The Basics of a Blog: The Post

• The body of text that makes up a blog

• Most recent displayed on top • Can contain text, pictures, video, links…just about anything.

Other things you may find

• Comments– The responses of readers, often displayed on a separate page

– Not required, but many feel they are essential to a blog

• Pages– Links to description pages (“About this Blog” or “About the Author”)

• Archives– The posts that are no longer displayed but are still available

Other things on a blog (cont)

• Blogroll– Other blogs that the author of this blog likes

• Links– Lists of other pages the Author likes

• RSS Feeds– Other website headlines

Some Examples of Blogs

• Personal• Professional• Group Blogs• Short, limited period blogs

Why Blog?

• Virtually free communication• Emphasizes personal voice• Share stories• To inform people• To open avenues for discussion

• To encourage community

How to Set Up a Blog

• Register Free at a Blog Site– Blogger.com– Wordpress.com

• Purchase space at a Blog Site– No ads this way!

• Host a Blog on your website

Blogging Possibilites

• Parish News– General, parish-wide – Specific, individual ministry

• Theological commentary• Personal reflections• Group conversations• Study Groups (Bible or otherwise)

Issues to Consider

• How official is the content?• Who is your audience?• Who writes the posts?• Interactivity and Privacy• Getting people to read it• Lifespan of a blog• Time commitment