I started this blog nine years ago.
It was a spur of the moment decision. I was setting up the first iteration of wadehodges.com and I was researching the way others had set up their sites and stumbled upon a blog. I looked into it for about fifteen minutes and then imbedded the “blogger” code on my home page and started blogging.
This blog has fulfilled a variety of purposes. I’ve used it to practice my writing, think out loud, and share my reflections on scripture, preaching, movies, music, books, family, and life. It’s been a place where I could stir the pot and generate some discussion among members of my Christian tribe. Lately I’ve been using it to field test some material for an eBook I’ll be releasing soon.
One of this blog’s biggest weaknesses, according to the professional blogging gurus, is that is has always lacked focus. The categories in my archives are all over the map. The blogs I most enjoy reading are usually focused on no more than one or two major themes, sometimes three.
Moving forward, I’d like to tighten up the focus of what I write about here. Before I decide how to best do that, I need some help from you, my regular readers.
In the comments below, please answer this question: What do you expect from this blog?
Even if you don’t normally leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you on this one.
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons
I expect Wade’s unique pomposity puncturing perspective on… whatever. That sounds trite (and laughably alliterative!) but I mean every word. The central focus is you. Although you occasionally venture into “My day at the pizza joint with the kids.” your posts are overwhelmingly within the context of a post-industrial Christian minister struggling with what that means. The hubris/nemesis tension fairly drips from every post. It has been highly valuable and instructive to witness your evolution over the years. You put verbal context to the free floating changes I see all around, but that I don’t take time to ponder. You ponder. It helps. And the frantic posts from the airport made my day! Not to swell your head, but I follow you for the same reason I follow Seth Godin. He is all over the map, but it is always Seth thinking about “change”. You are all over the map, but it is always Wade thinking about “what matters?”. I may have the players wrong, but I think it was Casey Stengel who once told a story of coaching Yogi Berra to think about the mechanics of his swing. Yogi’s batting average plummeted. He told Stengle, “I can either think about it or I can swing. I can’t do both.” Point: good for you asking the question. But don’t analyze your blog to the point you stop being you. Just swing for the fence, bro. You almost always connect. IMHO.
Kim–thanks for the kind words. If we didn’t live in different countries I’d buy you a plate of Indian food or Etouffee.
Me over-think something? Never! 🙂
i enjoy the “lack of focus” myself. i don’t mind that some posts are about working out and others about church planting. i generally read particular blogs for 3 reasons:
1. i either learn a great deal or am challenged
2. the writing is just plain good and worth reading (despite the subject)
3. the person is passionate about the subjects they address (no matter how scattered they may be)
i appreciate your blog — and will still read it if you have a more precise focus — but don’t think at all that this is needed. but if the professional blogging experts say it….?
James–that is really helpful. Thank you.
Wade,
Here’s a one word response for the possible content of your blog, “Jesus’. Jesus, in whatever you choose to write about Him will always be beneficial to your readers. His life, teachings, grace through Him, His ethics, our relationship with Him and how to apply all of the previous to others and our every day lives would be a blessing to us all.
John
Thanks John. I like to talk about Jesus.
Honest insights into how to do (and not do) ministry. I especially enjoyed the “mistakes I made” kind of posts.
Ben–I’ll never run out of content if I write about all the mistakes I’ve made. 🙂
Just looking for someone who will be open, real and not try to impress anyone. You do a great job of expressing wherever you are and that’s what i personally like. Cover it all or be focused, but be real, regardless. Thanks Bro for all you’ve written!! Viggo
Eric W. Bradford! So good to hear from you. Hope you are doing well my friend.
I was going to say I’d like it to be bloggier. Just more bloggyness in general. 🙂
In all honesty, I have to agree with some of the earlier commenters, in that “all over the place” is exactly what I think you do best. And as for the opinions of the professional bloggers, I don’t read any of their stuff. When it starts to look like a professionally polished and edited and “focused” blog, I’ll just wait for the book, thank-you-very-much.
I hope that helps in some small way. I’ve really enjoyed reading these, and I only really follow three blogs. The other two put out about about 12 posts a year, combined. They are very focused (one on software development and another on writing) and I wouldn’t even follow those if not for the geniuses behind them.
This is a blog for people who get bored with blogs that only talk about one or two subjects. Your ability to infuse humor and critical thinking into a variety of subjects is your major strength. Occasionally getting off track may be a weakness in your style of blogging, but as you said not too long ago, the ROI on shoring up weaknesses is pretty low.
Having said that, I do think there are some common threads here. You are a natural story teller and teacher and you often write from the perspective of growth – growth as a Christian, as a leader, etc. So maybe instead of limiting the subject matter, you could emphasize those particular perspectives.
I agree with most of the comments above, Wade. I follow quite a few blogs, and I find I’m reading each of them for the insight they give me into the life and perspective of the author. I’m not looking for particular content, in general, I’m eager to get to know the author, in a weird, stalker/blogger sort of way. Some are kinda random in subject matter (like yours), but some are more and some are less focused. I appreciate your insights into the postmodern religious landscape and into the “preacherman” mindset, in particular. Peace to you!
I think the journey you are on is probably less unique than you might imagine. That is, what do I do now? After attempting to plant. I think that is one topic that you could explore and help people process.
It also appears that you are attempting to put together some kind of itinerant ministry at this point? How are you figuring that out? How are you getting speaking gigs? How are you networking?
You are writing? Are you engaging that process through agents and publishing pros or are you just being self-disciplined and hoping it all comes together?
Some things I find interesting in what you write about.
Wade,0
You said recently that the posts about the Emergent church of Christ were the most popular. I think that should give you a clue as to the direction of your blog. If the Resoration Movement ( i.e. church of Christ) is to survive as a group (and maybe it should not?) In light of the impending demise of modernity, I believe that the accapella churches of Christ must find a new direction or uniting principle, beyond their traditional hermenuetic (that is of course the product of that dying era). My family and I are no longer members of that fellowhip in an official capacity, but maybe we would be if there were more preachers and leaders like you, who understand the issues, but for some reason are willing to stay. I would love to hear you start there. “why I am a member of the Churches of Christ by Wade Hodges.
Tom
Wade,
I agree with Kim, James, Viggio, Corey and Greg. I stumbled on your blog when you were writing about Crossfit and have continued to read it. Just write from the heart about your journey. Don’t worry about appearing to be self-centered. All blogs are self-centered in some respect. Your reflections about life, ministry, your journey, preaching, the church, etc. are thoughtful and engaging. I enjoy the less-focused approach. Keep up the good work, brother.
Matt
p.s. As I think about it some more I think one of the things that draws people to your blog who don’t know you personally (like me) is a sort of fascination with your journey “post full-time ministry.” You are kind of working it out day by day (or so it appears to me) and sharing your journey with your readers, with humility and candor. That is refreshing and winsome.
Well, I like your blog just the way it is. As a regular follower of 20-something bloggers of all different topics, I say forget about “blogger gurus” and keep expressing what you feel needs to be expressed. So, to your question, “What do you expect from this blog?”, I say “More!”
I expect a blog that lacks focus.
Thanks to all who have left comments on this one. I am honored that you not only read what I write but took the time to give me some feedback. You’ve all been very kind in your comments and I appreciate that.
I think you’ve helped me sort out what this blog will continue to be about.
It will be like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.
Wade,
Let me ask you a question. What do you HAVE to write about? What do you go to sleep thinking about? What do you think about when you’re alone in the car?
Don’t write to a market segment or a demand. Write where your heart takes you — because that is likely where the Spirit is taking you. And if you aren’t writing out of passion, why bother? There are plenty of other ways to serve the Kingdom.
There are plenty of blogs on every subject under the sun. The ones worth reading come from deep within the heart. And a great blog will create its own market.
Jay
Thanks Jay. That’s a good word.
Wade,
Having spent a lifetime searching, acting the rebel, and at times being profane, I salute you. Transparency is good, even to the point of seeming naivety. Searching is good, just don’t get lost.
Self sacrifice is almost righteous – just remember, you can only be crucified once. But BEWARE of the day when your ego takes over and the attention becomes your God.
I mostly subscribe to your blog to checkin on you and see how you are doing. But I am looking at it as a model for a new blog I want to start. I have topical blogs NASCAR, Dell, etc. The problem I have is that most of these are situated in a way that I don’t truly own the content. I want one the brings in and unifies these diverse systems. Most of the audience will likely continue to read at those other locations, but for posterity and ownership I will have my own copies on my site.
All that to say this, a diversity really expresses what and who you are. If you feel the need to have a focused conversation, then start another blog for that, but maintain a central hub for everything. The fact that you own your content is far critical than that you be specific.
Have you considered breaking into categories within?