29 August 2013

Alone, outgunned, and hopelessly outnumbered

by Dan Phillips

In other words, "A target-rich environment."

When Frank told me some time back of his thoughts of hiating from The Intarwebz, I first thought to do the same. Since entering fulltime pastoral ministry at CBC here, I found that my time was more taken up, and even more that my "itch" was more scratched. I didn't have the same driving need to use blogging to get out the Word, since I had done it via books and now was doing it in The Real Thing, a local church. And a very dear one, at that.

And then there was the need to get out two scheduled posts every Tuesday and Thursday, which isn't always easy to wedge in. However, there are still things I want to do. There are a number of books I want to review, and still topics I want to dive into and truths I want to uncage from this platform.

That said, then, here's The Fewchah as we're looking at it:
  1. We all know about Phil. Snif.
  2. Frank is hiational, but the door is always open, in case someone on the internet is so wrong that only Frank can fix it.
  3. Monday will be Spurgeon, and Friday will be Best-of, or Greatest Hits, now spanning amongst the three of us.
  4. I'll post as inspiration strikes or need arises on the remaining days.
There y'go.

Phil's departure was a big loss to the intrawebs, but at least there was Frank. But now for a time, you won't have Frank to kick [you] around. I thought and think that the both of them do what no one else is doing, and what badly needs to be done. But God is God, and those brothers have better things to put their hands to at present.

So in the meanwhile, I'll endeavor to persevere, and maybe even...

Dan Phillips's signature

17 comments:

Unknown said...

Hang in there Dan, a lot of us out here are dependent on your wit and clear thinking. God bless you and your church. I hope Frank isn't gone very long. I've been a lurker since Phil was alone at the original Pyromaniac blog. God has gotten me through a lot of deep water over the last several years, with the help of the three of you. I seldom comment, but have come to love all of you in Christ.

DJP said...

Thanks, Kent!

I aim at wit, and am glad when I make it halfway.

Dave said...

"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time"
- General "Chesty" Puller, USMC

Unknown said...

Dan, I've been a lurker for a handful of years myself and while I miss the more regular posts from the Pyros, I'm very happy that y'all are keeping yourselves busy. I greatly enjoyed The World-Tilting Gospel and will surely enjoy cracking open God's Wisdom in Proverbs soon. For you in particular, it's been wonderful to know what a blessing CBC has been to you, and you to them.

For those concerned about "tone": listen to some of Dan's sermons, he sounds much nicer in person! Even the One-Star Hater would consider a begrudging "Two"!

Rob said...

So, stop me if I'm being Captain Obvious here, but why don't you bring in some fresh Pyro-recruits to keep the posts lively and updated? I read a book on SEO stuff once and it said that key to blog vitality is keeping content up to date, so why not bring some of the pros from the meta into the fold, to add posts around your own? (Tom Chantry perhaps?) I'd love to hear some other voices here and think it could add some value.
Perhaps put out an open call for some "Guest posts" from time to time? Just $.02.

Unknown said...

I echo the sentiments of bringing in one or two new people to post weekly to keep the content fresh and moving. I used to enjoy coming here daily, and now it's about a once a week trip.

DJP said...

Dave: I love that.

Webster Hunt (Parts Man) said...

Dan said he never had much use for blogging solo. Never said he couldn't blog solo.

DJP said...

Web: EPIC.

Webster Hunt (Parts Man) said...

I did have this elaborate screen skit involving some po-mo in the place of Alan Rickman opposite you, but sometimes the joke gets lost in the details.

So, to quote a brother, "there ya go"

But to the post, I've profited much from the whole Pyro team - even the elusive Peccadillo when he blogged - over the past 7 years, and I can see how seven years plus of tackling the ever growing blob that is evangellybeanical - emerg* -charismatic - continuationism thingy takes a toll, especially when you get little more than friendly fire from the lot, and you see glimpses of worth when someone is rescued from its sticky clutches.

So if you do little more than recycle old posts, I'm sure that they will be as timely as the time you wrote them because the enemy's tactics don't change, though the package may, and man's attraction to everything that he doesn't need and everything bad and destructive to him and the consequences of grasping after those things don't change either.

I'm glad you guys have stuck it out as long as you have, and have seen blogging as doing something "like ministry", in the midst of doing your real lives and all that's in them. I look forward to what wisdom you decide to dish out to us, and maybe you can post your weekly sermons/notes so that you're not overloaded?

Anonymous said...

The Disporia. God's way of spreading the word and breaking down safe little places. Sorry when members change locations and venues, but happy knowing the word is really spreading down unfamiliar trails. I don't get here as much as I used to because I have moved three times since first following this blog. I drop in once in a while to hear old friends talking. Never give up, but know you will have to move on.

Peter said...

What about getting someone new on board?

Doug Hibbard said...

When one blogs Solo, it's all Hans on deck.

Dan, do what you can do, we'll read it when there's something to read. As part of another group project, we have this happen as well, although we have more writers and less schedule. We were doing 3 posts a day, now we're down to 1 a day--and half of those are close to being retreads of the same old stuff.

People keep coming, though. They'll keep coming here, too--and when you have more time, when Frank goes back to probation instead of parole, an audience will come back stronger.

I just feel for OSH in this situation.

Unknown said...

"When one blogs Solo, it's all Hans on deck."

Oh man, that's beautiful. And the One-Star Hater's heart grew three sizes that day...

Cathy M. said...

I too am a lurker who comments rarely. (I actually comment frequently, but rarely hit the "publish" button.) I've benefited so much from this blog, and also from reading the comments. I'm deeply appreciative of all the work, thought, blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into maintaining this blog. I hope it will continue, but I understand if you have other more pressing obligations. Thank you, Pyros.

Merrilee Stevenson said...

One of the things I love about this blog is what goes on in the comments. And what makes it work (IMHO) is #1 rules, #2 comment moderation, and #3 timely responses and blog post writer interaction. (And #4 witty humor, when appropriate.)Y'all have done such a great job with it, that you make it look easy. But it's not, and I think we all know that. I'm relieved to hear that you'll be keeping the home fires burning, Dan. And I hope it doesn't become too taxing on you or your other ministries. We'll keep coming back because otherwise, the terrorists win. And by terrorists I mean leaky canoners and Joel Osteen.

Tom Chantry said...

Of all the things I've ever heard we have to do to keep the terrorists from winning, that is the best!!!