Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Winter 2012 Issue | Page 14

MEETING YOUR AUDIENCE WHERE THEY ARE
A closer look at faith and blogging
PAULA NEELY
Over 2,000 years ago, the Church grew by word of mouth. Today, blogs are
gaining popularity as a way for the Church to reach new audiences. It’s like “word
of mouth on steroids,” according to “The Episcopal Church: Social Media” video.

“Anyone who thinks Facebook
and social media are faddish is fooling
themselves. That’s where the people
are,” said Jim Naughton, founder and
editor-in-chief of “The Episcopal Café,”
a popular Web site with blogs on art,
spirituality and news that attracts about
3,000 visits a day.

Naughton explained that there
are new audiences online that are best
reached through the Internet, not
traditional media. “If you want to speak
to those people, you need to meet them
where they are,” he said.

He stressed that blogs function
best when they provide an opportunity
for people to interact and express their
opinions. “People don’t just want the
stuff you push at them. They want a
relationship with you.” He suggests
writing short, 400-word blogs and asking
people to join a conversation.

But moderating their comments is
the biggest challenge for churches using
social media, he said. “Blogs can create
a free-wheeling, aggressive arena.
There’s a ‘Wild West’ aspect to them,
and the Church needs to learn how to
keep the conversation as productive as
possible,” he said.

The Episcopal Café requires
people to use their real names, and
comments are reviewed before they
are posted. “Signing your name cuts
down on hit-and-run comments,”
he said. If people have a history of
making reasonable comments, their
comments will be posted right away.

The Rev. James Richardson,
rector of St. Paul’s Memorial Church,
Charlottesville, was a professional
journalist for 25 years, and blogging
has become part of his spirituality.
He blogs as an outlet for reflecting
and praying. It’s also
another tool for
Visit the blogs mentioned in this article:
publicizing what’s
Fiat Lux: www.spmcrector.blogspot.com
going on in the parish.
Life with Grace: www.lifewithgrace.net
“It comes straight out
Stewardship of Creation: www.caringforgodscreation.net/blog
of my morning prayers.
Episcopal Café: www.episcopalcafe.com
If it seems worthwhile,
I share it,” he said. “It

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VIRGINIA EPISCOPALIAN / Winter 2012

allows a conversation and extends our
congregation beyond our pews.”

His blog, “Fiat Lux: Let there
be Light” receives an average of 179
unique visitors each day compared
to 350 people who attend church on
Sundays. It’s viewed in Virginia and the
eastern