passion play

Well, here’s post two of everyone’s favorite overrated, overdone, and over-copied series topic: the year in review. This post? It’s all about the web: my favorite blog posts, my favorite overall blogs, and my favorite websites of the year. Here they are, and once again, they’re in no particular order within their respective categories.

Individual Blog Posts

• A Historical Weekend! YEAH GOD!!! (Perry Noble) - Man, this post had me going for quite some time. I still quote it sometimes in conversation, and it really gets me fired up. Newspring is seeing some kind of revival; one that the American church hasn’t seen in a while. I’m really excited for them, and for the future of the American church. It’s very possible that Anderson, SC is the jump-off for the third Reformation, and another American revival. Perry’s excitement exudes in this post about the night of the baptism service from ,er,…heaven. One and a half hours? Wow.
• Reflections on Preaching (Mark Driscoll) - Mark’s tips for preaching are excellent. In this simple, yet chock-full of wisdom, post, he outlines his personal preparation. I’m going to cheat a little (sort of), because, well, it’s my blog, but I also really enjoyed his post, Episcopalians and Male Testosterone Show Corresponding Decline, because it’s hilarious and true. Anyway, I’m going to leave that one alone.
• 49 Simple Strategies for Better Blogging (Tony Morgan) - It’s simple, alright. But if you’re a blogger, please look over it. You won’t only do yourself a favor, but the rest of us too. It helped me a lot when I relaunched desertfather as Harmonyblog.

Blogs

• Evotional (Mark Batterson) - Mark Batterson is the pioneer in ministry blogging. At least in my eyes. If you don’t read his posts, you should. It’s a great combination of insight, ponderings, wanderings, and random thoughts from his life. And he’s a good writer, so it’s an easy read.
• Inside the Mind of Tadd Grandstaff (Tadd Grandstaff) - Tadd has become a friend online, I’d say. You’d have to ask him his opinion. I pray daily for him and his ministry. He writes well, has a great future ahead of him as a pastor, and plus likes both the Philadelphia Eagles and the UNC Tar Heels. Can’t go wrong.
• Goodmanson (Drew Goodmanson) - Drew Goodmanson is an elder-pastor at Kaleo Church in San Diego. They are an Acts 29 church, and they have a lot in common with the vision and mission of Harmony Church. I really enjoy his writing, even though it is somewhat sparsely updated.
• History in the Making (Ben Arment) - Great blog, even greater person. I’m really wondering what he’s going to do with his blog’s title, though. He could leave it, though it would lose some of it’s punch. Or he could come up with something better! My vote? “Episode IV: A New Hope (in Reston)” Just kidding. Heh. If you read his blog, you’d get it.
• LeadingSmart (Tim Stevens) - Tim Stevens (along with Tony Morgan, see above), is one of the leading, er, leaders in ministry. He does a great job outlining administration in the church, and has some great thoughts on ministry.
• Mad Babble From A Church Planter (Gary Lamb) - Gary is hilarious. His style of ministry and just his character make for some entertaining reading. I’m not fond of the rap video (just because I think it’s cheesy [yes, I know that’s the point]), but his ministry in Canton is spectacular. Ridge Stone is really reaching people, and that’s what it’s all about, irregardless of strategy.

Websites

• Lifehacker - Borderline blog, borderline website, excellent nonetheless. I love the software recommendations, the, um, lifehacks, and all the little tidbits from around the web.
• Digg - User-generated news, stories, and anecdotes. ‘Nuff said.
• Fleaflicker - A fantasy football player’s dream come true. Live updating…for free. Stats out the wazoo…for free. League management…for free.
• Church Marketing Sucks - Another borderline blog, but the Church Marketing Lab sets them apart. It’s great stuff, you should check it out.
• Church Relevance - This site is like Barna 2.0. It’s great, and has great insights into our culture today.

Hope you enjoyed it. Next post? Let’s see….let’s go with my favorite churches I followed this past year.