To my considerable surprise and pleasure Sally Coleman has just nominated me in her list of five blogs that make you think. She was responding to a meme that started here. All of which means I now get tagged and have to nominate five blogs that make me think. Five? Only five? Heaven help me!
Well I’m going to concentrate on that word ‘think’ – as opposed to those I frequent for their useful tips (step forward PastorHacks and Ian’s Messy Desk). I’m going to keep it ‘religious’, so no place on this list for the techie blogs I like (TechCrunch, Read/Write Web). But I’m not going to include all the ‘big’ Christian blogs, although at least one features (so no Tall Skinny Kiwi, Maggi Dawn or Jordon Cooper, although I like them all.) And no place for the Christian news sites (Ekklesia, Christian Today, Religion News Blog). My five – in no particular order – are:
Connexions – mainly the blog of Richard Hall, a Methodist minister in South Wales, but with contributions from at least three other friends. Richard is a bit less conservative than me in his outlook, but when I read a different opinion on his blog it’s never antagonistic and always well thought-out. I’m grateful to read, even if I disagree (and I don’t always!).
Jesus Creed – the blog of Scot McKnight, an American evangelical scholar with strong sympathies towards the emerging church movements. Irenic, thoughtful and human.
Paul Roberts – Paul was my worship and liturgy tutor for the final year of my first degree. He is now a parish vicar with profound insights into ministry and postmodern church. He doesn’t post as frequently as I’d wish but when he does it’s worthwhile – see this one on Joni Mitchell.
Rob Ryan – there’s a little bit of a personal connection here, too. I vaguely knew Rob when I was in Medway before coming here: he was then the director of Gillingham Youth For Christ. He is now an ordinand training for ‘pioneer ministry’ in the Church of England. His blog contains the insights of someone I would describe as a postmodern evangelical. Whether he would call himself that I’ll leave up to him.
Finally, and boy has this been tough, Think Christian is a collaborative blog that does what it says on the tin.
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Big Circumstance 
excellent list Dave- thanks for posting it! I like Jesus Creed too, but would probably have named Scott amongst the “big names”
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I did say one ‘big’ Christian blog featured, and you’re right, Sally, I was thinking of Scot McKnight!
Incidentally, I should have said that it was a Methodist Recorder article a few years ago by Richard Hall that really opened up to me the idea of Christian blogs. Thank you, Richard.
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Good list. I also appreciate Richard Hall quite a lot. We bump heads but seem to remain friends. I like that. Thanks for sharing your list. I want to check out some of the folks I don’t know yet.
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Thanks for the plug, Dave. I’m glad you think we’re living up to our name. 🙂
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Thanks Dave for the plug – that now means I need to focus on 5!
On the label – certinly postmodern, but not so sure on the restriction that could be placed by the evangelical. I guess I see myself crossing traditions and wanting to draw on all of our Christian heritage. Some call that post evangelical but I’m not so sure what it is!
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