Community
20

One of the Top Bloggers in the World is Christian

Posted by John Saddington on May 20, 2009

darrenrowse

As you scan the list of Technorati’s Top 100 list, pretty much the definitive ranking for blogs worldwide, you’ll notice a lot of names and institutions of the various sort. None, really, are explicitly Christian.

Tim Challies, apparently the #1 Christian Blogger is hanging right inside the 2,000 mark on Technorati, but will most definitely never break into the top 100.

But there is a man who is, and his name is Darren Rowse. Many of you know him as ProBlogger.

He’s currently sitting around #40 on Technorati. It took me a while to find this out, but I had a few hunches after picking up on some of the stuff that Darren would write, but this interview by Tim a while back definitely solidified it as truth.

There’s some very good stuff that Darren and Tim cover, and it’s well worth your read. Here are some quotes from Darren that I think are very relevant and powerful:

One of the things that I became a bit frustrated with over the two or so years that that blog (his first ‘Christian Blog’) was active was that I saw the majority of Christian bloggers gathering together to talk about subjects that related to them – but very little outward focus or interaction with the wider blogosphere.

While I think that there is definitely a place for Christian bloggers to do more inward focussed blogging (fellowship and doing faith together is a big part of what I see us called to do as followers of Christ) I wondered whether we were ignoring another part of what we’re called to be on about – mission.

Since spending less time in the ‘Christian’ blogosphere I’ve found my faith challenged and enlivened in many ways. I now run a large blog network with hundreds of blogs and lots of people working for us. Being involved in a large business in this way brings a lot of challenges in terms of the decisions you have to make and the interactions that you have with others. I think I pray a lot more than I used to as a result!

I’d love to see more Christians to catch a vision for being more outward and missional in their outlook in every area of their lives – including their blogging.

I think there is an incredible opportunity to be a part of the seeing in of God’s Kingdom if we do so.

I often write on ProBlogger that the key to building a great blog is to find ways to enhance the lives of your readers. I think that this fits pretty well with a Christian perspective also.

From what I know of the development of the Printing Press (a technology that changed the world) – Christians were at the forefront in using this tool to print Scripture. Many futurists believe that what’s happening online at the moment is as significant as what happened with the Printing Press – the world is changing. I guess my question is – are we as the Church embracing and using this new technology – or are we being left behind?

I simply love what Darren is doing and how he’s been extremely successful at providing value to anyone and every one. Good stuff Darren, keep it up.

  • Buzz it!
  • Bookmark and Share

John Saddington

John is the Chief Editor @ The 8BIT Network and Senior Blog Junkie here at ChurchCrunch.He enjoys Triple-Tall Americanos, developing Wordpress Themes, and a few other Random Things.

Leave a Reply

20 Responses to “One of the Top Bloggers in the World is Christian”

  1. Brandon Cox
    Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    [seesmic EPSNg59IjO|FCbUkhlgEh_th1.jpg http://www.seesmic.com/video/EPSNg59IjO seesmic]

    Reply
  2. Bill Wolfe
    Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 3:10 pm

    OK, I've definitely got to give seesmic a try sometime after seeing both of your comments. very cool.

    The thing I loved that Darren said was this:

    I’d love to see more Christians to catch a vision for being more outward and missional in their outlook in every area of their lives – including their blogging. I think there is an incredible opportunity to be a part of the seeing in of God’s Kingdom if we do so.

    Couldn't agree more.

    Reply
  3. Mikes
    Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 11:14 pm

    Wow! I'm really happy and blessed with the success he is now enjoying. true enough God blesses us to be blesssings to others. Great step of faith! He indeed just like you John are inspirations to me and a lot more out there!

    Reply
  4. Darren
    Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 1:45 am

    [seesmic qWB0vOEKx3|gvUQuPOgLu_th1.jpg http://www.seesmic.com/video/qWB0vOEKx3 seesmic]

    Reply
  5. human3rror
    Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 1:51 am

    Darren,

    Thanks so much for stopping by! you are an inspiration for us all, and thanks for your "missional' mindset…!

    Reply
  6. Phillip Gibb
    Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 9:23 am

    very very cool Darren.
    I did that 31 Days to a Better Blog from Darren on ProBlogger – really enjoyed it.
    Great to see that there are influential Christians out there in the world who are looking and reaching out through their talents and skills – and not stuck looking in on themselves. (this is the part where I look in the mirror and say – speak for yourself buddy – maybe)

    Reply
  7. TomUsher
    Friday, May 22, 2009 at 1:18 am

    Hello All,

    A person blogging who is fairly privately (Internet-wise) professing Christianity — not a "Christian" blog, per se

    Why does anyone have to figure out that he's a Christian? Why doesn't he proclaim it right on his front page? Would traffic fall off and revenue decrease? What are his priorities? These are real questions and not condemnations.

    I have a problem with people posing as one thing and claiming something else. I had a huge run-in with a certain atheist over it and was banned from Entrecard on account of it. Please don't take it that I'm putting this fellow, Darren Rowse, into the same category.

    What does Arianna Huffington profess? Her blog is rated number 1 by Technorati.

    Peace,
    For: The Real Liberal Christian Church and Christian Commons Project
    Tom Usher

    Reply
  8. Mikes
    Friday, May 22, 2009 at 3:42 am

    Hey guys!
    I posted this in Blogcatalog as a broadcast and I'm getting this response: http://www.blogcatalog.com/broadcast/view/30323#r... judge for yourself.

    I still am proud of you Darren!

    Reply
  9. TomUsher
    Friday, May 22, 2009 at 1:28 am

    Hello All,

    Pardon me if this ends up a duplicate comment post since my first effort didn't seem to go through properly.

    A person blogging who is fairly privately (Internet-wise) professing Christianity — not a "Christian" blog, per se

    Why does anyone have to figure out that he's a Christian? Why doesn't he proclaim it right on his front page? Would traffic fall off and revenue decrease? What are his priorities? These are real questions and not condemnations.

    I have a problem with people posing as one thing and claiming something else. I had a huge run-in with a certain atheist over it and was banned from Entrecard on account of it. Please don't take it that I'm putting this fellow, Darren Rowse, into the same category.

    What does Arianna Huffington profess? Her blog is rated number 1 by Technorati.

    Peace,
    For: The Real Liberal Christian Church and Christian Commons Project
    Tom Usher

    Reply
  10. K. Frangeskos
    Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 1:51 am

    Hi, Great Post and reflective thoughts…
    I am trying to "inspire others to turn to Jesus"…
    that is HIS wish…
    and I would like to invite anyone…
    to visit my blog site entitled : JESUS KNOWS YOU BEST. BLOGSPOT.COM

    http://jesusknowsyoubest.blogspot.com/

    Let me know what you think…I welcome all comments…
    God is great…and appreciates all our help…
    Best regards,
    K. Frangeskos

    Reply
  11. Paul Steinbrueck
    Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    I think the first time I ever read ProBlogger, several years ago, I read the About page and then clicked over to his "LivingRoom" blog:
    http://www.livingroom.org.au/blog/

    He hasn't updated it much lately, but it gives you a good idea of where his heart is.

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 1:07 pm

      Yes, I've seen that. pretty cool….!

      Reply
  12. human3rror
    Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    see, your comment wasn't deleted at all. it was caught in the spam filter because you double posted.

    http://twitpic.com/6cbrf

    Reply
  13. human3rror
    Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    please correct your accusations accordingly.

    Reply

  1. To Christian bloggers « We Are Texas Baptists

    [...] I read this post from Church Crunch, which is a great church communications blog I check out nearly every day. Apparently Darren Rowse [...]

  2. Define: The Professional Christian Blogger - ChurchCrunch

    [...] I’m not sure I’m familiar with anyone except, perhaps, Darren Rowse from ProBlogger.net. But, he’d never call himself, at least explicitly, a Professional [...]