Can Christian Bloggers Create A Successful Following and Content that Engages the General Public?

What Life Would Be Like

I wish I was more of a man 
Have you ever felt that way 

And if I had to tell you the truth 
I'm afraid I'd have to say 

That after all I've done and failed to do 
I feel like less than I was meant to be .


What if I could fix myself 
Maybe then I could get free 

I could try to be somebody else 
Who's much better off than me 

But I need to remember this 
That it's when I'm at my weakest 
I can clearly see .


He made the lame walk and
the dumb talk He opened blinded eyes to see 

That the sun rises on His time 
Yet He knows our deepest desperate need 

And the world waits while His heart aches 
To realize the dream 

I wonder what life would be like if 
we let Jesus live through you and me.


What if you could see yourself 
thru another pair of eyes 

What if you could hear the truth
Instead of old familiar lies 

What if you could feel inside 
The power of the hand that made 
the universe You'd realize .


All our hearts they burn within us 
All our lives we've longed for more 
So let us lay our lives before 
the one who gave His life for us

Can a Christian Hub actually parallel the success seen in general or secular hubs? take for instance Political Opinion Hubs, Love & Relationship Hubs, and especially Hubs that outline the oddities of the Human Body such as Breast Augmentation or new forms of Tattoos and Eye catching Body Mutilations. These types of writing seem to draw in astronomical amounts of attention and a record number of readership.

This is not to criticize or shed a negative light on these topics, readers, or the writers themselves. On the contrary, I believe everyone has a place in this modern world of creative writing and the right to share their opinions, including we the Christian or Faith based writers of the world. Personally I enjoy the thrill of a great political debate now and again, and the strangely repulsive yet enthralling pictures of Weird Body Art we all 'Look - scrunch our eyebrows - turn away - peak again - then comment on, is a guilty pleasure many can admit to. So how can a Christian writer compete in this free market of ideas that is backed up by freakish eye catching imagery at times? It almost seems like an unfair race. 

Our hubs are generally quiet and respectful, filled with gentile praises. A Great and Loving God is our center focus; and our references are scriptural in nature. This in itself limits the amount of readers who actively seek out our articles. It seems at times our job is 'preaching to the choir', who are also 'preaching to the choir' too.What is a Christian writer to do?

SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN WRITERS

In my short history in Christian writing (on this site), I have noticed a few trends that may be important to explore for those who seek a successful Christian Writing experience.

1. Controversy Controversy & More Controversy: Christian articles that tend to marginalize their doctrine & outlook on life seem to draw the most readership. More plainly, those Christian Hubs who take a staunch stance in any one area attracts controversy, controversy attracts readership, readership breeds success like rabbits on steroids! It appears those who tend to lean towards mid-line Christian thought, as well as Non-Believers who stop in to keep a watchful eye on the goings-on's of their fellow writers (that just so happen to be Christian) become up in arms about exclusivity. Topics that describe 'ONLY these people go to Heaven' or 'these people will probably be heading straight to the Ol' H -E- Double-Hockey-Sticks place and the 'Lake of Fire' is definitely bound to draw in readership. Beware tho, in the long run this will eventually garner you plenty of contempt that will limit your fan base in the end. In the short run it may increase the number of visitor hits to stop by to watch the 'fight' or fan the flame so to speak.
   
2. Clearly Defined Bible Topics: Articles that take time to actually delve into the Word of God and come out with great true to life paraphrases and clear illustrative teachings seem to attract attention. It is apparent that people actually desire to learn the truth. An article that is well written with smaller excerpts of Scripture accurately defined in a personal and attainable fashion is a plus. The addition of a few well placed personal stories or supporting parallel scriptures also helps define you as a 'really good Christian writer'.
   
3. Poignant Themes & Graphic Topics with Answers to Follow: I have personally experienced an explosive amount of growth in a few articles written around a theme or topic that is both universal in nature yet allows the application of the Word of God. It appears that people appreciate clearly defined problems, with attainable goals to reach, and answers to the questions raised therein. Just a simple discussion of the ills of society, followed by descriptions of how terrible their sins are, concluding with a judgment of pain and death to follow if people don't 'change their ways' will limit readership and any possibility of attracting a fan base.

This short list is not all inclusive. There are other issues at work here as well, to include but not limited to:

• Generosity of the Christian Writer who takes time to visit other Hubs, Christian or not, and leaves relevant heartfelt comments.
• Joining in the community at large by reading and answering topics & questions in the general Hub pages.
• Writing quality articles that include media and artwork that meets or exceed the standards of the general or secular articles.
  

QUESTIONS FOR CHRISTIAN WRITERS:

As Christian writers we have quite a task before us. We must decide for ourselves: † Will we be inclusive or exclusive in our topics and writing styles? † Will every comment or article we write be used strictly as a platform to proselytize or are we comfortable with participating in this community without wearing a visible WWJD t-shirt or bumper sticker on every post? † Are we comfortable allowing our stance, lifestyle, and personality to do the talking for us or does the statement of faith need to be expressed as a sign of the hope we trust in? Each of us must decide for ourselves.

Christian writers must fight the good fight knowing that our work will be judged and scrutinized more closely than the general writers offerings, Why: Because the general masses want to know these same questions proposed here and many more about what you believe & why are we so backwards and peculiar anyways (1 Peter 2:9 )?

SUCCESS IS WITHIN REACH:

Success is definitely a possibility for the Christian writer here. The pathway is not far from the one that leads the way OUT of the comfortable four walls of the local church, joins the table to sit amongst the natives & tax collectors, and acts as a living testimony of the hope we believe.

Christian writers have a responsibility to play nice and be available to others. We will however need to take a serious evaluation of our own priorities and purposes for writing.

Some, if not all will probably need to accept the fact that our success may not ever equal that of the general/secular writers numerically, especially if we so choose to write exclusively "Christian" work. Honestly speaking, success is a fickle thing in my opinion anyway, so judge well for yourselves and write even better. We have a WHOLE COMMUNITY of support & love behind us; that is one of the greatest successes of all. Blessings as you travel along the path and may you not waiver or falter in doing so...