The State of the Blog
April 16th, 2008 | by Scott |I have noticed over the last couple of weeks my daily hit total sink lower and lower. Monday was the lowest weekday total I have had in the last two years.
I know part of that may be because I have moved a lot of my stream of consciousness stuff to Twitter. In many ways that is more suitable to me.
I also know that my traffic trends up when I post on more difficult topics and if I am going to have high comment totals that political and matters of deep spiritual significance such as nonviolence are needed.
I think one of the things that made the nonviolence series so fruitful were the ground-rules that were laid at the outset: of being respectful to different views, being open in discussion, etc.
As time has passed I have not been as vigilant in ensuring that it stays on that level. As a result I have lost a few readers and even more active commenters. Sadly, it seems to be the ones who agree with me that I have lost most in commenting 
In addition I haven’t had much desire to post political these days. If I posted about every single stupid thing a politician said then I wouldn’t be able to get any work done. And with so much of the political discussion being a reliance on ad hominem and sound bites it is difficult to move beyond the surface into a productive discussion of issues.
I want to be a uniter and there is so much division that I’m not sure that we can even have fruitful discussion. I am beyond sick of Christians putting down people with different views and drawing fellowship lines. I know that I can be guilty of that as well so I have to be very careful.
Can we discuss issues of a more serious nature and maintain a spirit of collegiality and good will? Can we agree to disagree and still remain in fellowship? We have and we must.
But one possibility is that this blog has reached its peak and is in the inevitable slide into worthlessness. If that is the case then I must be willing to pull the plug. That’s the last thing I want to do. I need the forum to move forward that this blog has nurtured.
Who knows what the future brings?
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Now playing: Marie Digby - Say It Again
via FoxyTunes
28 Responses to “The State of the Blog”
By Justin on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
So are you saying that you and I don’t agree?
Here’s an idea… let’s talk about whether Jesus knew he was God. That would stir up some discussion.
By LukeD on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
I generally felt like the discussion here was more respectful than it tends to get at some other blogs, and I always appreciated that.
I’m glad that you’re enjoying Twitter, but I do miss the old days.
For what it’s worth, I like Justin’s question as a topic starter.
By Scott on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
Justin, I seem to remember us agreeing before.
Luke, thanks. I hope that we can resurrect some of the older spirit. Maybe we will take Justin’s topic…someday.
By Dan on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
There’s no reason two or more people can’t be nearly shouting at each other in disagreement, then turn around and go grab a beer together - watch any hockey game, see the insanely violent fights, and then hear the participants talk afterward about their admiration for each other. It’s about being able to abstract one’s views about a topic from one’s view’s about a person or an ideology. This is common in rabbinical discussion, too - fervent, almost argumentative discussion between people who care about each other and can “agree to disagree.”
Problem is that Americans are becoming less and less adroit at doing so. Why? Because we don’t want to offend. The root of THAT problem is that we all take offense like we take free samples. If we could embrace being challenged, then perhaps our discussions could be deeper, more productive, and more capable of delivering the kind of knowledge we need about each other and the strength of character that is lacking in American discourse today.
By Jim MacKenzie on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
Personally, the Twitter-stuff has been sort of strange and hard to follow unless you sign up for it (kind of like a pyramid scheme for the web).
Seriously, keep unp the discussion about church, scripture, following Christ, your sermons, struggles, that kind of stuff. That’s good.
By Jim MacKenzie on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
Also, it would stink for my comment total if you dump this blog. I have been steadily climbing (passing your wife with this extra comment).
By len on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
The thing that attracted me to this site was that you were a fellow NLR boy, about my age, who happened to be, like me, a pastor. What kept me at this site was the good discussion on politics and deep spiritual issues. Everyone got along so well.
I doubt that we will change each other’s opinions on these deep-felt issues, but I know I am better for having had the discussion. Your spiritual/political thoughts made me think.
American Idol has no appeal to me, so I will stop by less frequently if things like that are the focus of the blog.
By Scott on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
Dan, well said. In addition to the fear of offending is the erroneous idea that our positions must be right. And if we give any quarter then we are somehow less Christian, less of a citizen, etc.
Jim, I’m going to remove the twitter update feed. It is confusing.
By Scott on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
Len, AI won’t be the focus of this blog. If I don’t have the outlet to discuss the meatier things than this blog won’t have the same appeal. I’m hoping to redeem my initial thrust here and move back to weightier matters.
By Lane on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
Gotta agree with the twitter thing. I just don’t get it.
I’d be very interested in reading your take on the role of Elders in the church. How much power do they really have? What does one do in the congregation when there is disagreement?
Also is it better for church members to co-exist while disagreeing on how to do church, or should one party split the church and leave to start a group of believers who believe in the same thing?
By Scott on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
I don’t think you can “get” Twitter unless you try it. It’s the next wave in social networking.
Great question about elders in the church as I believe it is an area that we have greatly missed the boat. We have spent so much time parsing Paul’s criteria that we have missed their main purpose: to care, tend and nurture.
Your second question is even more problematic. One we should tackle as well.
By Jonathan on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
One of the most discouraging things to me about online discussion (religious, political, whatever) is that it seems to often be more about winning arguments than about making a good-faith effort to understand and evaluate the other’s point of view. Mostly both sides screaming at each other: “I know it all! You’re an idiot! I am unbiased! You have evil motives!” Everyone’s mind is already made up, so it ends up being a colossal waste of time.
This community has generally been an exception to that rule, so I’d agree that it’d be a shame to let it die.
By Doug Freeman on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
Scott, I would like to see how Elders should be shepherding according to others. Maybe I could learn some things if it will not be elder bashing.
By Robin on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
I don’t get the twitter thing. Sound bite sentences that don’t make sense. It’s like reading an inside joke from the outside so there is nothing to discuss or comment on. I was attracted to this blog because your views are different than mine. I always find it interesting to read your sermons and opinions. Read the comments on Huffington Post and you will see real nastiness. I don’t see that here even when we disagree.
By Chad on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
The most pressing question I have is how did you like World War Z?
By Jonathan on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
think of twitter as a sort of public chat…or as status updates except expanded to also incorporate responses to someone else’s updates
Scott’s Twitter posts only include his twitters so you don’t see the other side of the conversation like you would if you were actually on twitter and “following” both Scott and whoever he’s conversing with…
By Travis on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
My problem is, I talk to you so much through chatting and I’m tired of you and don’t have the energy to read your thoughts on this blog. Maybe I should cut back on our social networking and have more meaningful discussions here.
As for the original question Justin proposed, I have a nuanced question that I started thinking about last night. Has the orthodox view of Christ, i.e. that he is fully God and fully human, actually led to oppression or allowed those in oppression to remain content with their state? For clarification, does our insistence that Jesus is fully God actually diminish his humanity and the ability of all humanity to identify with who Jesus was as a person, and find within his person-hood strength to overcome our own struggles? Or, does our focus on Christ’ divinity keep us satisfied with our plight and cut us off from the very real power to throw off the bonds of oppression that Jesus as a human offers us? In other words, does our Christology lead people to say, sure Jesus stood up to oppression and overcame the powers of the world…but he was God. I’m not, so I must be satisfied with where I am.
A long, complicated question….blog on that.
By Scott on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
Jonathan, I have seen more of that attitude in recent months and it is tiring. Or it is more of “how can you possibly believe that.” I want to discuss not spend my time simply defending my position.
Dad, we will bring up the elder issue at some point. I’m sure it would be rather enlightening.
Robin, thanks. I’m always humbled when people respond positively to my sermons.
By Scott on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
Chad, I loved World War Z. I would have enjoyed it better in a traditional narrative format but enjoyed it nonetheless.
I thought Twitter was rather pointless myself until I got into it and was able to participate with other people. Now, it’s a great deal of fun. Facebook without all the stupid invitations and applications.
Travis, isn’t that the burden of being Jesus? No matter how we think of Him, He is always going to seem to be a tad better than what we can be.
By Terri on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
I’m sorry to have to agree with you but I’m a little tired of blogging, too.
Maybe one day I’ll twitter just for grins.
By Greg England on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
I think most of us in the blog community (at least the one in which I “reside”) are starting to tire somewhat of blogging. I’m not ready to pull the plug and I do stop by here daily … just don’t leave comments too often. As for Twitter, I have no idea what it is, but I’m just too busy these days to add anything else to my life, especially something technological or requiring that I sign up for it.
By Doug Freeman on Apr 16, 2008 | Reply
Scott, have you thought about seeing a doctor about your twitter? It could possibly be medicated.
By R-Liz on Apr 17, 2008 | Reply
Scott– I can understand blogs having life cycles. It happens with everything.
This is what I’ve wondered: In your last job you obviously felt times of loneliness, isolation and doubt. Your blog was a place of refuge and finding a common spirit. Because of the obvious seeking you were doing in your life, you had lots and lots of questions and thoughts to bring to the table at that time. You may have also had more time since you weren’t in a very compatible situation work-wise.
But then you moved to your current job, and it’s apparent from afar that you’re much happier here and feel a like-mindedness with many more people. As a result, I’m guessing you’re putting more time, thoughts and effort into your ministry in Ponca City, making for less time and thoughts in the ol’ blog. The blog may still keep going, but it may not have all the deep, originating-from-a-tortured-time topics and thoughts. And that’s okay. I’ve even noticed fewer entries on Tracy’s blog, and I’ve chalked it up to the same reason.
So that’s my theory.
Yes, I have LOVED your blog (and I still do), but I look at my cyberspace-Freeman-friends now and think: They’re obviously really busy and have lots going on in this new Ponca City place, and I am SO happy for them and their ministry.
And maybe there will come a time when you’ll come back to blogging some other series, but I don’t think you need to push it if it doesn’t feel right. We all keep tabs on each other through various cyber avenues, and we’ll continue to do so. If you start up something again down the road, I’m sure we’ll all be back.
I know your blog has been a friend to me at times of loneliness in my own life, and I want to thank you and all the other like-minded kindred spirits here. It’s truly been life-altering.
–I will also add that I have definitely felt a spirit of division with several posts over the last many months, particularly the political posts. Bottom-line, I don’t have much in common with several of your new top commenters. There have been some pretty close-minded, judgmental, and bigoted thoughts put out on your blog by some folks, and I have such a hard time knowing how to try to dialogue with that. I applaud those who are good at it.
–And I haven’t seen you around my blog lately. Reciprocity can be good for traffic. I’m just sayin’.
By Scott on Apr 18, 2008 | Reply
Twitter fits in much easier with a busy lifestyle than blogging does, that’s for sure. Good to know I’m not alone in hitting a blog wall.
By Scott on Apr 18, 2008 | Reply
Ruthie,
I didn’t realize you were still blogging. I’m subscribed to your feed but I never saw the most recent entry. I’ll try resubscribing.
I think you are right that some of my best writing came out of frustration and I don’t feel that at the moment.
I do plan on returning with a few series very soon. I think there are some issues that we can work out from a variety of issues and viewpoints. At least those of us who acknowledge that we don’t have it all figured out.
By belinda on Apr 18, 2008 | Reply
The twitter thing has thrown me. I can’t read this stuff at work anymore - they’re really buckling down on people. Folks have been disciplined (i.e., NO PAY) for inappropriate use of government time and equipment — I can’t afford to go there. SO I check the blogs every other day from home. I was first attracted to your site because of our relatively same backgrounds . . . once republican, now hoping for more and better. I hope you continue to post.
By Shane on Apr 19, 2008 | Reply
I am a fan of the blog and of Scott Freeman. Feel free to twitter away and blog as much about music as you want. It’s your blog and I even read most of it, but you’re right, people only really read the blogging material they can relate to and there are more folks who have religious and political opinions than there are folks with musical (although there are annoyingly almost as many
and other kinds of opinions. The good news is that it seems like a lot of people have opinions on you blog. That can’t be a bad thing, even if you keep ‘em anskumped from time to time.
By Jason Bybee on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply
Are you on strike or something?