Comments on: The Organic Revolution, Pt. 2

By: Bob Cleveland

Bob Cleveland — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 03:27:14 +0000

One more jab .. I’ve been a believer since CB was young, and I have never, ever enjoyed my faith and my involvement in spiritual things, as much as I have since I read Wade’s blog (after reading about it in The Alabama Baptist, and I sent him an email and he actually answered. It’s been the biggest awakening in decades, for me.

I cannot deny that. Besides, I met C.B. Scott and there’s no way I can place a value on that friendship, and those with the rest of youse guys.

Whoops. My Calumet City childhood crept in there for a second. Sorry.

By: Alan Cross

Alan Cross — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 02:24:11 +0000

Well, let me jump in and say that ALL of you guys are clearly right (doesn’t sound very Baptist does it – I’ve been in the syncretism of India too long). Of course blogs changed things and moved things along. My point, is that a good portion of the political blogging was probably a waste of time, and I don’t necessarily blame the writer of a political post. Good information was often put up on Outpost or Wade’s blog, but then, 125 comments later, the point had often been lost and there was just a bunch of arguing going back and forth. That is the part that I think had little effect.

I still think that politics can and should be talked about, but if we take a more missional stance as we talk about it, I think that the blogs will be even more effective. I think I’m starting to see that happen across the board, and it seems really healthy. The readership and comments will likely go down, but that just reveals people’s hearts. Some folks are just looking for a car wreck they can gawk at.

By: cb scott

cb scott — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 23:35:48 +0000

Hurry up and clean that ‘possum, Art. Everybody at the table “is hungry”

By: Bob Cleveland

Bob Cleveland — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 22:24:57 +0000

See? See? I KNEW you guys have been lying to me, all along.

The world IS flat!

By: Marty Duren

Marty Duren — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 20:04:25 +0000

;^)

By: Marty Duren

Marty Duren — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 20:03:12 +0000

That’s what I was trying to tell Bob all along.

By: Art Rogers

Art Rogers — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 19:27:28 +0000

Ok. Let me clarify my thinking about the influence of bloggers. No one in their right mind can deny that blogging has some influence on the Convention. However, I am saying that bloggers aren’t originating the conversation, nor are they able to control it, direct it, etc. It began in the hearts of Southern Baptists throughout our convention and these thoughts are being expressed on the blogosphere. In other words, blogs are representative of the various thoughts and feelings within the convention – all sides included, at this point.

Technology, The World is Flat (Thomas Friedman), leading to Glocalization (Bob Roberts, Jr.) are all a part of this, but you are making me get ahead of myself.

Suffice it to say, I will elaborate on the four concrete things that the blogosphere directly moved in the last year in a later post as well as the influence issue – the spheres of influence and how that works – at the end.

By: a simple swbts student

a simple swbts student — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 18:52:43 +0000

while i agree that we should primarily be about the MAIN THING, i disagree that blogs have not had an impact. every day when i am swbts and read the latest blog stuff and laugh out loud, my coworkers ask me why and then i have an opportunity to tell them what i read. these people will soon be going out into the sbc and will similiarly affect other people. it could be that the effect is going to take a little bit longer than you think. the spreading of this information still only goes from one sphere of influence to the next. like others have pointed out, draper and chapman have made things known that were written on blogs (and they happen to have large spheres of influence). enough rambling … i think that blogs are an effective means of spreading information but that it simply takes a little longer than previously anticipated.

a simple swbts student

ps watching people engage in theological debate on the blogs has also helped my mind to develop. in seminary, many of the issues are presented from one view only (either the prof’s view or the view that they are trying to oppose) and so watching people engage each others arguments with passion has been very informative and, what is more, formational in my thinking. thank you all who have posted on the blogs over the past couple of years.

By: Bob Cleveland

Bob Cleveland — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:03:23 +0000

One other thing I’ll add … on the way to Jackson, CB, Alan and I were hashing some of this around. At one point, CB turned and asked me “Why did you go to Greensboro last June?” I said “Because I read Wade’s blog…”. CB said, to Alan .. “See?”

I don’t suppose we could know how many others were at Greensboro under similar motivation, but I cannot deny the effect that blogs had on me. And if I ever do or say anything that makes any difference, as a result of my involvement, the connection would be self-evident. To me, anyway.

By: Kevin Bussey

Kevin Bussey — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:09:16 +0000

Art,

Great post. I don’t thing blogs got anyone elected.

But I have to agree with Marty about blogs opening eyes. Look at how many times Wade, Ben and Marty are quoted in mainstream news outlets.