Blogging 101

Jody HarringtonBlogs have become so influential that conventional press outlets routinely include them in their news reports, as you probably noticed during the 2008 election season. Many Presbyterians — pastors, elders, deacons and church members — are bloggers.

This first column in this series is intended to introduce blogs to readers who are not familiar with blogs, but would like to learn how to find, read and comment on them.

“Blog” is the shortened version of the term “Web log,” an Internet site created by an individual or group that has regular entries (called “posts”) of opinions, descriptions of events, personal reflections or creative writings. There are millions of blogs on the Internet with varying purposes.

Breaking it down
There are three parts to most blogs:

• The header is the title of the blog, containing the name of the blog and a brief description.
• The sidebar on the left or right of the posts gives information about the author and links to other Web sites and blogs.
• The blog posts are the largest part of the site. Posts appear in reverse chronological order. At the end of each post is the time the post was published on the site, the name of the person who posted, and a “comments” link. Clicking on the link brings up a new window with the comments to the post that readers have entered. Comments are the most important part of blogs because they are the way that readers and bloggers interact. Blogging is not a passive activity, but an interactive one!

To comment, scroll down with your mouse to the end of the comments window and follow the instructions to write and post your comment. Follow the instructions in the comment window to create your own blogging name for the purpose of leaving comments, or you can comment under your own name. Not all blogs permit anonymous posts.

Blogging is one of the ways in which the PC(USA) moderator and staff communicate. Here are some examples.

Talk with the moderator                 
Blogging is one of the ways in which the PC(USA) moderator and staff communicate. General Assembly Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow posts frequently on his blog, which can be found by clicking the link above. This blog contains reports on his travels and reflections on issues related to the PC(USA). There is a lively exchange of opinion in the comments on his posts.

Decently and in order
Another good place to begin exploring blogs is Presbyterian Bloggers, a diverse group blog of Presbyterian pastors, elders and members whose blogging is “decent and in order.” The weekly schedule of posts written by a team of bloggers includes a devotional, an introduction to new bloggers, information on adult education, “joyful news on ministry,” lectionary discussions and more. The first Friday of each month Moderator Reyes-Chow responds to “Ask the Moderator” questions. Check it out!

—Jody Harrington is an elder at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston,Texas, and past moderator of New Covenant Presbytery. She writes the blog Quotidian Grace

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