Like I said, I’m doing a lot of reading now days. However, for the past several months my blog subscription has gotten pretty big (at least by my standards). During the week of Orange and the week after, I did not keep up with reading the blogs I subscribe to. Finally, the next week, it took me four hours one night to catch up. I did a lot of skimming, but I just can’t stand to miss anything.
I really need to update my blogroll. However, I thought I’d share what blogs I read right now. I remembered how when I first got into blogging, I searched the Internet both high and low to find all the CM blogs. However, I find that I don’t put nearly as much effort into finding new blogs… but I really should. I’m surprised how often I’m finding brand new blogs or blogs I’ve just missed. I must say, the quickest way I’ve found new blogs is when the authors either comment on my blog or blogs I read. So, if you’re a new blogger, be sure to interact with the blogosphere… it’s the fastest way to get connected to the network. If you’ve got a CM blog and you’re not on this list of mine, leave a comment and I’ll check you out!
Beware, this is all of the blogs I actually subscribe to. Some blogs post irregularly, some I love and other I’d subscribe to just to keep up with what is going on. I’ll put (FAV) next to the ones that are my “favorites.” I’ll comment briefly one each one:
(BTW, I subscribe to 60 blogs)
Access Elevation Blog: (FAV) Elevation Church’s Behind the Scene’s Blog.
Being Beck: (FAV) A good friend’s family blog.
Brand New Atheist: A good friend’s blog documenting his journey from Christianity to Atheism. His posts challenge me and sharpen me.
Buzz Out Loud: (FAV) My favorite tech podcast.
Chad Swanzy: (FAV) The Youth Pastor at my church with a great Student Ministry Blog.
Children’s Ministry 1234: Rob Bradbury’s blog from down under. I love this guy!
Children’s Ministry and Culture: (FAV) It’s like Headline News for Children’s Minsitry.
Children’s Ministry Blog with Jamie Doyle: Another CP letting us in on his life and ministry.
Children’s Ministry Insights: I think this is connected with Children’s Ministry Univesity.
Children’s Ministry Talk: An actual podcast from Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode. I think they too are connected with Children’s Ministry University.
Childrensministry.com: Christine Yount’s blog… editor of Children’s Ministry Magazine.
Children’s Ministry <<That’s Swell>>: How the heck did I get connected with this one, I don’t know. Doesn’t really have anything to do with CM, but this young couple remind me of Sara and I the year after we got married. We were both in College and I was doing CM part time.
Church Marketing Sucks: (FAV) Just a great blog. They’ve got an awesome Church Marketing Lab on Flikr that is a great resource for media and just coming up with ideas.
CHURCHSMO: This guy doesn’t blog much, but talks mostly about tech tools for ministry and blogging.
Coffee With Chris: I don’t know how I started reading this blog, but I enjoy what he has to say.
Connections: I think this guy commented on a blog I read and I’ve just been reading his ever since.
Craig Jutila – Liquid Leadership: Craig isn’t writing much… but if he starts, I’ll get it.
Deadly Viper Blog: Just found this. Very candid and authentic… glad someone is writing this stuff.
DiscipleBlog.com: I think this is a partnership between Karl and DiscipleLand curriculum.
Engadget: A great tech blog. Just overwhelming amount of posts.
FRC KIDS: I just subscribed to this one. Not sure if it’s for families or volunteers. Combo of blog and podcast for CM at Flamingo Roach Church.
Free Children’s Ministry Resources: I don’t even know what this is really. Seems like more Children’s Ministry University blog stuff. I’d be more likely to engage if they had one blog as opposed to 3… but maybe I’m missing something.
GaryLamb.org: I really don’t know how I got on this one. It’s a successful church plant in North Georgia and I’m just having a blast reading it. If you read anything, read their Easter Egg drop blog post. I almost peed in my pants.
Glen Woods: Children’s Ministry Conversation: This guy is super thought provoking… but he’s also really smart.
Hayslips’ News Blog: (FAV) My good friends who are missionaries in Burkina Faso.
Improv Everywhere: (FAV) If you don’t know what it is, you really should check it out. Really funny stuff.
jabberfrog.com: Gina McClain, the CP at one of Life Church’s OKC campuses.
Jim Wideman Ministries: (FAV) The one and only. It’s the CM “bread and butter.”
John Sorrell’s Blog: A guy I recently met who’s doing some church ministry blogging.
Jonathan Fietzer: A CP blogging about his ministry in Milwaukee.
jonathancliff.com: (FAV) I just found this blog and I LOVE it. I think this guy and I are very much alike.
JUST PUDGE: (FAV) Pudge has so many great things to say. I just don’t know if when I meet him I can say his name and keep a straight face.
[Kid Inspiration]: (FAV) He’s been blogging as long as there has been blogging. Always good stuff.
Kidologist.com: (FAV) Karl’s been doing it longer than most as well. Always insightful and resourceful.
Kids in Focus: This one isn’t really regular, so I’m not sure what it’s all about.
Kids Ministry Revolution: Just found this blog. I love the name and love the insight. It’s a CP from New Zealand, I love getting the perspective of those from outside the United States.
LifeChurch.tv: swerve: (FAV) Just a great blog on ministry, life and technology.
Mashable! Another big tech blog… with an overwhelming number of posts.
matt mckee live: (FAV) One of my favorites. He’s a geeky tech guy that love’s kids… but he’s not really a geek at all. Does that makes sense? Oh and he has a fetish for signs. (:
Michelle Richards: She’s been quite for a while, but I’ve always enjoyed reading about what was going on in her ministry.
Movie Marketing Madness: (FAV) Just signed up for this one. I love movies and this blog has the inside scoop.
Multi-Site Kids: (FAV) It’s what I do… so this one has great information.
Pastor Steven Furtick: (FAV) It’s the pastor of a portable mega-church who’s only 26 or 27. A great blog.
Perry Noble dot com: (FAV) This guy is funny, inspiring and leading a really great church.
Phil Vischer: The father of VeggieTales. Must I say anymore?
phillipmccart.com: Started following this guy several months ago. He’s a student pastor who’s been getting around the South.
Photoshop brushes: Just signed up for this one. I’ve never used custom brushes in photoshop, so this blog is teaching me.
Ragamuffin Soul: (FAV) Carlos is incredible. I enjoy this blog and his Twitter feed.
samluce.com: (FAV) Sam started blogging when I did. He has great insight in the world of Children’s Ministry.
Seth’s Blog: Who doesn’t love Seth Godin?
Smashing Magazine: (FAV) Was recently introduced to this blog. Good for keeping up with design styles and stuff.
Stuff Christians Like: (FAV) I look forward to this one everyday. I feel like this guy and I must have gone to the same church growing up. So funny.
Stuff: (FAV) A good friends family blog.
Take T.W.O. Family Ministries: Has some really great insight on leadership.
The Dixie Gypsy: (FAV) My wife’s blog, she’ the bomb.
The Ferguson Family: (FAV) Some good family friends write this one. They are so funny.
The Multi-site Church Revolution: Just keeps me up with the Multi-site world.
The Stevens Family Blog: (FAV) Good family friends from Keller… and neighbors.
The Way We See It: (FAV) Good stuff from Ryan Frank, Jim Wideman and Evan Doyle.
TodaysChildrensMinistry.com: Part of Christianity Today’s site and usually filled with great articles form Willow Creek CM people.
tonymorganlive.com: (FAV) This guy is one of the best from the church strategy perspective.
Water Blogged: Another silent Craig Jutila blog. Waiting for him to write something…
YouVersion – One Year Bible: It is what is says.
Almost inspired me to blog more! 🙂 Thanks for the link!
Wow that is quite the list. I am honored to be on it. Thanks for sharing I find most new blogs now by recommendations from people I read and trust. I will definitely check some of these out.
Just when I begin to wonder whether my blog is benefitting others, I go and find a post like this. Thank’s so much for your encouragement. It is humbling and inspiring!
Thanks for the mention. Like Sam, I’ve just found some new avenues to explore.
Thank you for this list.
By the way, here is another comment. Thanks for the love. You to are one of my favs and I am not geeky. I am really cool. Just ask my wife she will tell you that I am really cool.
Ha! I bet you’re really cool! However, your wife doesn’t count. I’ll need at least two non-related references to verify…
Thanks for the mention and glad you can get some stuff out of my blog as well. I am with Glenn, just as i think I am going to stop blogging because i am not sure anyone is really reading it, I read your post here. i will hang with it a little longer and see if I can find my blogging niche.
By the way, what takes a blog from just one you read to a fav? just wondering.
See comment #3 and #8 people. This is the very reason by posting comments is so valuable! Most of us bloggers don’t post FOR the comments, but the comments help us know that someone’s listening and guide the direction of future posts.
Todd, as far as my FAVs are concerned… I need to say something about that. My wife Sara commented today that she thought I sounded “Jr. Highish” with my “Favorites.” (It’s nice to have someone who keeps you in check). Actually, I shouldn’t have used FAV as it’s not really my favorite per se. As I said before, I follow over 60 blogs and I read almost every single one (I’m OCD like that). But if I’m sitting down and only have 2-3 minutes, I’m going to read certain ones first. Typically they are the ones from friends, family or people or ministries that are writing about the stuff, culture or type of church I’m a part of right now. It’s really nothing more than personal preference… more of just the order in which I’ll knock them off. But when I get home and it’s all quite, I’ll go through and read them all.
I use Google reader to aggregate my feeds. Of all the 60 blogs I read, I actually “star” the posts that move me or inspire me. Of my “starred” post there are both Favs and non Favs.
So sorry to all if my list came off as being Jr. Highish. If your loving on kids and those who love kids… you’re definitely a true “FAV” in by book!
Thanks so much for the mention and for reading my blog! You said I’ve been quiet for a while which actually is inspiring me to continue writing new posts. Thanks so much for the kick in the pants! 🙂
I wonder if certain types of blogs get different amounts of readers commenting. It seems to me that in the children’s ministry side, blogs are more read to just keep informed of what others are doing and not so much as communicating as a whole or building community. Then there are other types of blogs that are not cm related, some of which I also blog for (I can’t say the names then people will know it is me blogging them) that seem to get a ton comments all the time. Let’s say blogs about financial stuff for example. People are always commenting on financial blogs and wanting to do more than read info or who is doing what.
What are your thoughts on this? Anyone.
Glad to hear you are following Children’s Ministry Talk. Enjoy your day!