I need your help. If you regularly read this blog I’d love to hear from you. Even if you’ve never commented before, consider doing so on this post.
I’ve been active online for over 15 years now and I see what I do here as an extension of my calling in ministry I’m consistently encouraged by the professionals…bloggers, pastor friends and book publishers…to define my life focus. Supposedly if I do I can write a book about it. Currently I simply post what’s most current on my mind or heart, usually involving leadership, church, or family issues, but I always want to improve.
I can look at the analytics of the posts I write, but honestly they don’t tell me much, as there doesn’t seem to be a pattern to any certain theme of posts I write and page views.
So, I need your help. Could you answer a few questions for me?…You don’t have to answer all of them…just allow them to fuel your thoughts…
- Why do you read my blog?
- What subjects of posts do you enjoy most?
- What brings you back to this blog?
- What would you miss if it disappeared?
- Topically speaking, would you say is my greater strength and focus?
I’m not asking for pats on the back. I’m asking you to help me further define my voice, my ministry focus and this blog. I want to write what people want to read…and if there is a book out there…who knows?
Thank you in advance.
I enjoy your blog because the posts are normally pretty short and to the point list. Then others are aloud to fill in the rest with questions and comments. I know you asked about YOUR blog, but what your blog actually starts is what I am referring too. The comments have been a HUGE blessing to me. I read the many points of view, hurts and struggles of people on these topics. It honestly helps me feel not alone and gives me the feeling that I am among my peers so I can comment w/o intimidation.
Thank you for answering this….and I love the comments too!
I most enjoy the blogs about parenting, marriage, family, church, community,biblical verses/theology. I least enjoy the leadership blogs.
Thanks Kristin. You are outnumbered a bit though…the leadership posts are what has taken off this year. Lots of pastors following my leadership stuff. I\’ll still keep the other stuff going though. If I had more time I\’d separate them all, but then I wouldn\’t be able to keep up with all of it.
* Why do you read my blog?
I think your blog is very practical & it's concise. I find it difficult to make time to read a book with all the hats I"m currently wearing, so your voice fills in the space of what I need when we need it, in a short time commitment.
* What subjects of posts do you enjoy most?
Leadership & church planting
* What brings you back to this blog?
I follow you on twitter & read your posts that direct me back here.
* What would you miss if it disappeared?
Your posts related to leadership & team-building would be missed.
* Topically speaking, would you say is my greater strength and focus?
You seem to be a humble leader of leaders. I like that & appreciate your wisdom on leadership topics.
Thanks. this is helpful.
I read your blog because you offer a Godly perspective on life's issues without sounding condescending.
I most enjoy the posts about marriage and general leadership for the daily walk.
Twitter brings me back honestly. I don't keep up well if you don't tell me you have new posts.
I would miss the encouragement and practical wisdom God offers through you.
Topical strengths? Leadership, Marriage, and encouragement.
Thank you Nate. Very helpful…especially the Twitter part. Sometimes I feel I'm tweeting too much, but realize tweets disappear quickly, so if you don't see them when they are live, you often don't see them.
Ron, yours is one of the few blogs and items that i subscribe to. it comes to my email box directly, and i read many of them, scan through most all of them. I’ve laughed when you, like me, described that you’re picky about the business cards you choose to floss your teeth with. I’ve resentingly thought about it closer when one of your leadership don’ts hit close to home.
The main point is that as the relationship goes on, i learn more about you and from you… and even if the nature of blogs can be a sometimes silent, mostly one-way relationship, never doubt that you are making ripples out here. I’d certainly miss the posts if they left, and even if i don’t realize it, i’d like to think that i’ve taken away positive reinforcement at times, and better direction than i had come up with before.
Thank you Ryan. How encouraging and helpful.
Ron, I got turned on to your blog for the goal writing process you presented at the end of 2010. I used it, though I broke some rules, but it’s been really helpful.
I’m now using the Bible Memorization process to great effect. So, those practical tools are what I really enjoy.
Thanks, Casey
That's awesome. Thanks for sharing.
You give people a different way to see things, so my question is…
How do YOU find inspiration? In life, every year, each day, from moment-to-moment.
When the "tank" is on empty, what do you do to refill?
Especially as a leader, I want to know how to encourage the staff and volunteers at my church.
My methods only go "so far" with other people.
So, what are yours?
That's great Zack. You've given me some things to think about for future posts.
I'm fairly new to your site and came by way of OurChurch.com. I visit regularly because I find the randomness of your posts refreshing, and I appreciate your responsiveness.
The majority of the sites in my RSS feeder are rigidly specific in focus. They have their place, but sometimes I just want to kick back and enjoy a bit of friendly conversation that's God honoring and encouraging. On your site I feel comfortable joining in the conversation.
Thank you. What an awesome encouragement and feedback.
Thanks. I really do need to find another job that allows me to have a life and get more involved in church. But I do feel like the Lord is providing the fellowship I need in the interim.
And sometimes the job you have can become your ministry.
Thanks David.
Why do you read my blog? Mostly for the Christian focus on leadership. Lots of garbage out there, but reading it from a Christian viewpoint is extremely helpful.
What brings you back to this blog? Relevance of entries and the frequency which you post.
What would you miss if it disappeared? Truthfully the information can be gained elsewhere, but I enjoy your content and M. Hyatt's content throughout my day. If I'm generally in a bad mood, I like reading your material because it brings me back in focus.
Topically speaking, would you say is my greater strength and focus? Being able to post as often as you do, writing in a way that makes sense (hard to do) on leadership and the church.
Your Tweets and my RSS subscription to your site are what keep my attention to you and bring me back. Otherwise, I dont think about coming back with the myriad of daily distractions going on.
Doubt this helps much, but hope so. Of course it is the voice of those who dont respond here that probably are more important. Tough to get that audience to interact.
Thanks. This is helpful and encouraging.
◦Why do you read my blog? – I get value from it, period.
◦What subjects of posts do you enjoy most? – I enjog the Leadership posts the most. But, I have also found value in your posts on scripture memorization, posts about your sermons (the recent link to the sermon on Why Christains Still Sin – was excellent.), etc..
◦What brings you back to this blog? – You write and interact in a way that hits home with me.
◦What would you miss if it disappeared? One of my favorite blogs would disappear. I would search, and most likely struggle, to find similar value.
◦Topically speaking, would you say is my greater strength and focus? Definitely the leadership topics.
That's great feedback. Thank you
Your blog is the only blog written by a pastor I read on a regular basis. I like the variety of topics your write about and I appreciate the sermons post. You also engage with your readers. I can tell you are writing from life experience and not teaching someone else's theory.
I always enjoy when you reach back to your retail roots and find the wisdom of God in your past experience. I think it's cool when people do this, it shows wisdom and self-awareness. I also appreciate your humor.
I get more from your blog, then I do from church!
Laurinda, isn't that sad in one way? But I have to agree with you. Most of the times I find more here either from just reading his posts or engaging with other posters than I would from my own church. And I think my church is very Biblically sound and I think the pastors have a real heart for His word and the people.
Yes Jon! I think it's an interesting time for the church. While I'm a member of a church, but dissatisfied with it. I find regular church services watered down, which is good for newer Christians. My work schedule hasn't allowed me to get involved in mid-week bible study. The mid-week bible studies or smaller groups tend to dig deeper. (I'm believing God for a new job with better work/life balance). But social media allows me to fellowship with Christians around the world. I can get up at 5am and interact with Christians on the east coast 3 hours ahead of me or Christians in Australia. I find that I fellowship more now than when I was involved in traditional church activities. I don't feel like I'm missing anything.
I think the church that I currently attend is very sound and I don't think I'd ever call it watered down. The leadership does a good job of standing firm on the Word. My frustrations are with their approach to ministry. Our statement of belief and practice is very sound, doctrinally. But it takes the approach that ministry is best done at the very very micro level; one-on-one and in small group Bible studies. While this might sound good on the one hand, it also keeps larger ministries from developing. Not that I want the church to turn into just one program after another, but it seems to keep any larger and targeted ministries from happening. And along with that, we fail big time to utilize any social media to reach out. That's what I like about this blog. In many many ways it's helped me and reached out to me in more ways than my church ever has. And the men who are the ministers in the church are smart guys who could do what Ron does and reach out using these tools, but they choose not to do so. But I guess I'd not really expect anything else.
Approaches have to change…no doubt about that. Otherwise the people we are trying to reach move beyond or away from our reach.
Thanks Jon
Thanks Laurinda. That's sad as Jon said, but I'm humbled by the comment.
I would have to say that your posts on leadership are my favorites. I love the way you bring it to a practical level, and marry it with daily ministry.
I love the way you bring theBible into daily life as well. Your insights are always fresh and new.
I also love the interaction. You carry on a conversation with your readers. That's appealing to me.
Thanks!
That's good feedback. Thank you
•Why do you read my blog? — I find it as a reliable source of Christian leadership ideas.
•What subjects of posts do you enjoy most? — I enjoy mostly the posts on leadership.
•What brings you back to this blog? — Biblical value based suggestions and insights.
•What would you miss if it disappeared? — Precious thoughts from a servant of God.
•Topically speaking, would you say is my greater strength and focus? — Consistency and clarity of focus on the various topics discussed in the blog. There is always coherence and compatibility between all the posts.
You give great feedback too. Thank you.
Why do you read my blog? I find it intellectually stimulating along with the occasional good laugh
What subjects of posts do you enjoy most? I like the various topics
What brings you back to this blog? I enjoy the various blog entries on the Bible, leadership, and what ever else pops into your head
What would you miss if it disappeared? the blog itself
Topically speaking, would you say is my greater strength and focus? you have a good insight on life as it relates to the Bible or being an effective leader.
That's cool. I need to be funny more often!
be yourself and if the humor flies on the blog entry, good. If it doesn't, don't fret (besides fretting is only allowed when playing a guitar or other instrument that contains frets-at least that what I tell my friends).
Good advice
I like your blog because there is something here for everyone. Most pastors blogs are centered around the pastoral world not that there is anything wrong with that. What i like more than anything about your blog is that you interact with people and by that you not only share your voice but you are listening.I also enjoy the fact that you are practical and short. I have quit reading other blogs because they were too long.
I read your blog because you pack a lot of leadership information into a small space. Your frequent use of lists allows me to still get the main point of a post if I'm in a time crunch. I would miss the lists : ) I enjoy reading your organizational leadership posts the most.
Thanks. You like lists…others don't. Interesting.
God led me to your blog while I was searching the Internet for something on repairing my wife's hardened heart. I've stayed and continue to read and respond on marriage issues and other things, because it gives me a place to vent, to ask questions, to perhaps lend an experiential ear to someone else who is struggling.
I enjoy posts on marriage the most, followed by your Friday Discussions and then more general Christian topics. I probably spend the least amount of time on the leadership posts, although I have enjoyed some of them and have participated on occasion.
Your blog is in my RSS reader and the first thing I do every day when I turn on my computer is to see what new posts you have out there. If this went away, there would be a big hole in my life. I guess a lot of it is feeling very empty and alone in my marriage and in other areas of my life and even though I don't know you personally or the other people who post here, I feel a connection that I would miss if it weren't here.
I thing one of your strengths is in posting about things that are not only important to you, but since most of your topics get a fair amount of reply, my guess is that they are important to us as well. I believe that you are doing God's calling in your ministry by extending it beyond your church walls to this blog; reaching out and touching people like me who you would most likely never met otherwise.
The only weakness that I can see is that I sometimes wish you would do more to egg on the conversation. Not that you should take sides, but I think you could use more dialog between you and us and encouragement for more dialog among the posters. I've only seen this happen a couple of times and it resulted in some of the longer and most involved discussions.
As I kind of mentioned above I think your best posts are on marriage, sin, church life, the Friday Discussions, Biblical truths, and leadership.
Thanks Jon. I may try to stir things up a bit more! 🙂
I like your blog a lot. You are real, and I highly value that. I mostly like hearing about your successes and failures in your ministry. I like hearing about you and what makes you tick, what makes you nervous, what drives you to pray.
This may be just me, but I really don't like your repeated lists. The principles almost always are true, but they get very old fast. … 5 leaderships principles, 4 ways to get people to follow you. 9 leadership principles that will cause people to always follow you. See what I mean. That gets old fast and are the easiest kinds of posts to quickly skim and disregard. Maybe a list every 10 days or so, but that's a big plenty.
Much better to write, "Today in staff meeting Bill cussed at our children's ministry, right in front of the whole staff. . Gee, that had never happened before. I was going to make them talk about it, but Mary stomped out of the building and drove away." We readers think, "What, Edmondson, too?"
You are leader and leadership ideas clearly motivate you. So write about that, especially when you fail. Write (carefully) about what keeps you awake at night. "What if they discover me?" Then what? Everybody worries about that, and we need to hear from leaders who feel the same way.
But also write about your great leaderships successes, but do it humbly of course.
If there is a book in you, the book will be your story. So write prose often … just a few paragraphs at a time. That makes you real. If you write a book of lists with 7 leadership principles for how to streamline your list of lists, I'm sure your mother's Bible study group will be thrilled to take a copy home.
Do keep writing. You clearly like it, and it obviously motivates you. Stay at it…
Thanks. this is great feedback. Interesting though how others love the lists and they are usually among the most tweeted/shared/read. Anytime I put a 7 in front of the post the number of hits increases. Still, this is good feedback.
I read your blog because it’s usually built on:
1. A list – I like quick lists
2. Practical – I like to read something then go do it
3. Whole life leadership – contrary to most blogs, u help me with leadership, marriage and parenting. It’s basically a Leadership Life Coach
There's another list person. Thanks Casey. Love your friendship