PS - I'm sorry for sounding so judgemental. I too probably spoke too soon. There are reasons but none that matter.

John - you continue to write where my heart is. As one focusing on a niche I see as largely unfilled, but also as one new enough at it to be able to head off some mistakes, I have a couple of questions for anyone. I'm getting good feedback on content and idea but have the same concerns about design and being too expansive.

1) I'm running this via my own money (as most do) but since I live on only what the ministries can afford to pay, paying for self-hosting and some design work is not an option right now (yes, even the dream hosting discount). Any ideas for maximizing a wordpress.com layout? (I guess I'm putting myself out for critique but be kind :) - the site is new and in progress. The content is desired enough, though, that I moved forward with making it public)

2) What are the biggest pitfalls you see that make people too expansive? I have enough of a project mgt background that I understand losing focus and getting too broad in a general sense. So I'm looking less for the general answers and more for specific issues you've seen with blog sites.

Anyone have thoughts? (Oh, and I will be adding a section to highlight specific posts - I think that's important for the group I'm trying to help.)

Thank you!!
www.weboverload.org

My thoughts exactly as I read through the comments. I didn't post until I saw if it had been covered. The order of fan-dom (using Seth's terms) is: Christ, the Church, your local fellowship. Create a true disciple and he will love the Church because Christ does. Love the Church and you will desire to be part of a local manifestation.

I too think it would be great. I told you of the group I'm trying to reach that lacks resources of any sort and like David, there's not much out there. That's why I started a resource blog in the first place and this would be a great help! If it gets off the ground well, the IT volunteers forum will be helpful too and the two will compliment well ... for my purposes/audience anyway.

My first boss out of college was such a natural mentor - it was such a part of her - that mentoring became a part of almost everyone who ever worked for her, myself included. The difference was that it also affected my spiritual life and I more naturally spiritually disciple as well because of her. (discple/mentor - we can argue semantics later). The point is that a convergence here makes perfect sense. It only makes sense that those in web-tech would mentor those in web-tech using web-tech. A guy at my church still meets with a college group he led - and he does it online since they moved all over the country. The needs are geographically diverse. Use the tool. Plant some stakes in various areas. Then let them reach the area they're in.