Executive Summary: In our world of computerized communications, weblogs, or blogs, are part of a new revolution. The Blogging Church, by Brian Bailey with Terry Storch, proves a compelling case for capitalizing on that trend and provides clear instructions for venturing into the blogosphere.

The authors thoroughly explain blogs, not only discussing costs and related factors, but also revealing how typical congregations with very little tech know-how can get started.

The fundamentals are adequately covered as the authors help participants evaluate worth, process decision, prepare properly for a true purpose, learn from others and avoid falling for every new trend. They also share how their own congregation (Bailey and Storch serve on the staff of Fellowship Church, Dallas, pastored by Ed Young Jr.) decided to begin blogging only after proving its value as they ran the decision through a filter of three questions: Is it a tool or a toy? What problems are we trying to solve? What is the return on ministry investment?

Blogging allows local churches and their pastors to expand the reach of their pulpit ministry and office counseling. Outreach is available online as principles are explained, Scriptures are quoted, and reactions are solicited. Even mission trips occur in cyberspace, according to the authors. Promoting church events, informing potential visitors and offering testimony time, blogs can do easily what few other efforts are able to achieve.

The Blogging Church suggests that "blogging presents a rare opportunity for churches to be part of this new world instead of watching from a distance. Blogging is simple, inexpensive and powerful. In other words, the impact-to-investment ratio is impossible to ignore." With free software available online and easy-to-follow steps for even the most technologically challenged, blogging is an interactive ministry tool whose time has come.

Quote: "There is no blogging revolution without others. The heart of a blogging church is passionate pursuit of people who matter to God. Blogging is an incredible way to start conversations, reach out to others, develop relationships and build community."

Ideal Reader: Church leaders and followers of Christ who hope to find simple, practical and successful ways to use blogging for promoting a local church and reaching the lost.

Rate the book from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) on these criteria: Practicality (5); Insight (5); Theological Depth (3); Readability (5)

Reviewer: Chris Maxwell