How can we use this blog to help us all talk with each other?

Too often communication in a church is one way. The pastor preaches and everybody listens. Committees make reports and you read them. Info is sent to you by mail and email. That is all well and good, but I hope that we can talk with each other more about things that are important to us. Let's see if this blog can be a tool to help us do that.

Now, I want you to remember that I am new at all this blogging stuff. So if you are techno-savvy and have a geek badge, please share with all of us how to do this better. But until you tell me a better way, I suggest that you write a comment whenever you feel like it on my bloggings. And then if you read someone's comment, and have something to say, then comment on it! In this way we all can discuss and everyone can learn from the others thoughts.

Someone asked, "I tried to leave a comment and couldn't do it." I've had that frustration too the first time I tried to comment on another blog. The apparatus for comments may feel cumbersome at first.

• Each article ends with this standard text "Posted by Charlie Swartz at 12:40 PM 0 comments Links to this post ." Click on the 0 comments link.
• You will then see a box for comments.
• Before your comments will be posted, you must choose to identify yourself in one of three ways: a) Google/Blogger, b)open ID, c) Name/URL, or d)Anonymous.
• If you choose "Google/Blogger, you will need to create a google account. It is free and easy to do. It does not seem to bring you any spam or other problems.
• I don't know what "open ID" is nor Name/URL!
• If you choose "Anonymous", then you do not need a google identity. But the drawback is that it will not give your name. If you decide to comment via "Anonymous", please start with your name in CAPITALS so we all know who you are!
• You can preview your comments before you "publish" them. Click "PREVIEW".
• When you are satisfied, then click "PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT"
• Congratulations! You entered the conversation!

So, let's start now. Here is the question: How can a church like ours use my blog to increase conversations between us all? Let the commenting begin!

Back in the saddle after 3 weeks vacation,
Charlie