Missional Blogging

Missional blogging has the following 7 elements.   These elements are all filters.  They filter what you write about and don't write about.  You should not waste time. It will take time away from you family, friends, ministry and work.  If you don't have a mission for the blog then maybe you shouldn't do it. 

Purpose 

What is your purpose for blogging? Some things are a given, a logical conclusion to the medium.  Blogs will create community, stimulate conversation, and create an exchange of ideas (if anyone is reading). These are the results of the blog not the purpose.  What is the purpose of the endeavor?

What is the difference between a goal and a purpose?

Everyday at least 70,000 new weblogs are created all over the world. [1] What makes your different or unique?

The more specific you become, the better your blog will be because it will limit what you write it about.  Your purpose will tell you what write about and what you don't write about.  It saves you time.  Everyone has a general blog.  You will only stand out if you are different.

Authority

This is what separates you from anyone else. Specificity is very helpful to you and your reader.

Maybe your time can be used in better ways than blogging about anything you don't have authority in. 

Some sources:

• Education
• Experience
• Expertise
• Proximity - are you close in relationship or distance to events?
• Association - who do you work with, study with, etc.
• Position - Where do you work?

Fears

Need to know explicitly what they are, and own up to them.

• Alienating readers
• No one will read
• No one will care
• Ineffective
• *Interfere with family life*

You need to know about them, own up to them and overcome them. 

Every fear is illegitimate.  If you have a purpose, the rewards (changed lives) will out way the fear.

Passion

What are you passionate about? "Obsession" is the the true marker of passion. In order to be truly successful, you have to be obsessed. Readers can sense your passion and if it doesn't border on obsession, they'll be less motivated to pay attention.

You are passionate about - God, Church, Family, yes so is everyone else.  It has to be specific.

Audience

Who is your audience? Who is your tribe?  What is your niche?  It should be based on the above, and again, as specific as possible. Identifiying your audience is much easier once the above points are nailed down.

Motivations

What are they?  Why are you blogging? All motivations are selfish...filter them.

Accountability

Find people to keep you accountable for meeting your goals, maintaining quality, and staying within your boundaries.  This could be your wife.  Have you set down and talked to her about the time requirements of your passion.  Is there agreement about the time involvement? 

Are you accountable about the number of times you will post a day?  Are you accountable about the specific times you focus on writing a post and doing research?