Posted by Justin Mulwee in Site News | 2 Comments
2012: Blackbird Press Jumps the Shark
Dear Readers,
I’m bored with the Blackbird Press. The thing is, I’ve said everything I wanted to say when I started this. All my opinions about religion and the church are pretty much documented at this point, and I’m tired of rehashing them. I think our creed is great, and I’m proud of the things we’ve said to expound upon it, but I just don’t feel I have anything more to add to that discussion besides noise. Everyone has an opinion, especially on the internet, and I rarely feel like reading them anymore, much less writing them. I wrote my last post just because I hadn’t written anything lately. It is totally uninspired and forgettable.
So I thought about putting the Blackbird out of its misery.
But hold on. In December, it got over 1000 views despite having zero new content during that month. Someone once told me the Blackbird was the biggest spiritual influence on his life, and I still feel the internet has too few Christian sites that aren’t a dime a dozen in content and style. The Blackbird is one of my longest running and most successful creative projects. I’m not willing to let go yet.
So, I’m drumming up some new ideas. I haven’t decided exaclty what to do yet, but here’s some thoughts. I’d like to take a more journalistic approach and document what’s happening with Christianity and culture on a street level. I’d also like to gather more readers who aren’t Christians and don’t read other Christian blogs.
Often, agnostics are afraid to talk to Christians about anything of substance because they fear they will only be misunderstood or judged. I’d love it if the Blackbird community could be a haven for some of these people–a place where Christians are abnormally honest and unpretentious.
I’ve also always wanted the Blackbird to have a more artsy flavor than it currently does, perhaps with some more creative prose, short stories and vignettes. And man, it’s been too long since I published some good satire.
I’m not sure where I’m going here. I’d appreciate input on what you all would like to see more or less of, or any ideas you might have on how to reshape things around here.
Oh no. Say it ain’t so. Blackbird Press is one of the more refreshing alternatives when it comes to tapping into the minds of young believers. (Young in age, not maturity. Some of the content on this site has caused me to think, or re-think, my position at times. And, I am both mature and old!)
I also refer teens to your site because it’s good for them to see that this walk of faith continues past the point of their adolescent years. That choosing the Christ is just that-a choice. And it is a choice not just for old folks like us parents, but one that young adults make everyday.
So, revamp if you must. Change can be good. But, no, no please don’t go. You have a voice to speak, and kingdom ears that are listening.
Blessings
I never thought I would hear Justin Mulwee using the words “journalistic approach.”
But I like the idea of getting out and talking to people on the streets and interviewing. I don’t like the idea of the Blackbird shutting down. Obviously with so many visits per month, people like it. I like it. It’s raised lots of good discussions. I feel like some of the writing Travis did in the past, the mock news article and some of the fiction pieces were really good. If you’re thinking of posting more of this kind of creative content, that’d be neat.