For Christians, new media technologies such as podcasts, social-networking sites and blogs present innovative evangelistic opportunities. Last weekend, Christian bloggers from across the country gathered in Las Vegas for GodblogCon, the third annual conference to assist them in taking advantage of new media, understanding its impact on society and engaging the culture for Christ.
Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a keynote speaker of the event, encouraged Christian bloggers to be intentional, effective communicators.
“We are here not merely as Christians but as Christian communicators with the two words being inextricably related to each other, because to be a Christian is to bear a responsibility to communicate and to communicate in a way that befits the Christian Gospel and Christian Truth,” he said. “My concern … is that we speak of new media in terms of our stewardship of these things for the glory of God and for the pre-eminence of Christ.”
A “Godblogger” himself, Mohler explained that because today’s youth are the most unevangelized generation since the early 20th century, blogs present the perfect opportunity to reach young people.
"Blogging is here to stay," he said. "Let's see it as a mission field."
Lisa Anderson, director of public relations and publicity for Focus on the Family, attended the conference and was impressed by the immense opportunity available to Christians via blogging and social networking.
“For those with important things to say and accomplish, utilizing blogs and other new media is becoming a strategic way of getting to key audiences," she said. "And Christians, of all people, have important things to say and accomplish. But if these messages are not communicated with authenticity, intelligence and a fair share of common sense, they won't be heard.”
Paul Spears, assistant professor at the Torrey Honors Institute and GodblogCon speaker, challenged bloggers to take their blog entries seriously in order to inspire others and glorify God.
"The reason that we blog is for something so much greater than us," he said. "If we do not understand who we are in Christ … we're not ready to write things."
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Visit Al Mohler's blog.
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