The selection process is complete and the tournament has started. Go to SBC Blog Madness Round #1.
It was the most fun the SBC Blogosphere has ever had. So, I’m bringing back SBC Voices Blog Madness for 2009. It’s a bracket style tournament where you get to vote for the top blogs in the SBC blogosphere.
This year, the selection committee wants your help. So take a look at the field below and leave a comment. Which blogs do you think deserve top seeding? Which blogs bubbles need to burst. You’re spirited comments will make this contest better.
The tournament will begin on Sunday 15 March 2009, tip off time TBA. That round will end roughly one week later. Like last year, the top 16 will advance to the second round.
Want more Madness? Check out last year’s round one, sweat sixteen, and final four. You can also read the inspiration for blog madness from Les Puryear (here in 2008) (here in 2007) and Said At Southern.
About The Selection Committee
Basically – it’s just me, but I want your help. I’ll make the final selections and seedings based on your comments on this post. Here’s how I came up with this list so far.
- I began with the SBC Voices directory and then excluded any blogs (or wesbsites with RSS) that do not allow public comments.
- Next, I picked out the blogs that I think are the most influential. I’m using “influence” in a very loose sense to mean any blog that attracts attention and starts conversations. This contest is about blog popularity, which doesn’t always line up with real life. Voters will determine the final outcome.
- Then I worked through the rest of the 450+ blogs by SBCers. I was looking for any that deserved a shot at the big dance. I paid close attention to Google Page Rank, recent posting volume, and number of comments.
- The feild must be cut to 64 blogs – so 30 of the following won’t make it.
- Final selection and seeding will be influenced by your comments. So this is your chance to speak up ahead of the voting. Share your thoughtgs below.
Contending For #1 – #4 Seeding (In Draft Order)
- EdStetzer.com
- The LPM Blog – Beth Moore
- internetmonk.com
- Grace and Truth to You – Wade Burleson
- Founders Ministries – Tom Ascol
- sbc IMPACT!
- SBC Today
- Reformissionary – Steve McCoy
- SBC Tomorrow – Peter Lumpkins
- Kingdom People – Trevin Wax
- Denny Burk
- B21 // contending for the faith
Leading Contenders (In No Certain Order)
- JDGreear.com
- Joining God in His Work – Les Puryear
- Evangelical Village – Matt Svoboda
- Moore to the Point – Russell Moore
- Praisegod Barebones – Bart Barber
- Provocations & Pantings – Timmy Brister
- SBC Voices – blog content not “aggregator”
- Tim C. Guthrie. – SBCtoday.blogspot
- Tominthebox News Network – Religious Humor/Satire
- A Man from Issachar – Eric Redmond
- ALVINREID.com
- Christ and Pop Culture – Richard Clark
- Church Matters: The 9Marks Blog
- Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee
- Confessions of A Small-Church Pastor – Chuck Warnock
- Culturality & Missiology – David Sills
- Oversight of Souls – Ray Van Neste
- TruePravda – Jared Bridges
- 12 Witnesses – Art Rogers
- Delivered By Grace – Rev. Josh Buice
- DownshoreDrift – Alan Cross
- Dr Jim West
- EdYoungBlog
- hottubreligion – Bill Pooreie:missional – Marty Duren
- Jesus Shaped Spirituality
- Joe Thorn
- MicahFries.com
- Ministry of Reconciliation – Debbie Kaufman
- SelahV Today
- Spiritual Samurai – David Montoya
- subtext – Joe Thorn & Steve McCoy
- SEMPER REFORMANDA – Gunny Hartman
- The Assembling of the Church – Alan Knox
- The M Blog – GUY MUSE
- Tim Ellsworth
The SBC Blog Bubble (In No Certain Order)
- Confessions of a Pastor by Hershael York
- EAGLES’ REST – Bob Cleveland
- Exploring Theology – Tom Shelton
- Fox’s Wanderings – Mike Fox
- Paul Burleson
- Bible Driven Life – B. Spencer Haygood Jr.
- Biblical Church Growth – Chuck Lawless
- Acts.5.29 – Bobby Gilstrap
- Boyce College Diablogue
- Diary of a Seminary Student – Terry Delaney
- owen strachan
- Ministry-To-Children.com – Tony Kummer
- BARRY JOSLIN
- 2 Worlds Collide – James Galyon
- aintsobad – Rick Davis
- Almanac of Captivity – Danny Slavich
- Archangel’s Blog
- Barabbas – Blake White
- Borrowed Light – Mike Leake
- Bro. Matt’s Blog – Matthew Perry
- Call To Die – Andrew Lindsey
- chadwickivester
- Christian In College – Justin Grice
- CROSS-eyed – Justin Childers
- DEAD THEOLOGIANS SOCIETY – John Botkin
- Deep in the Heart…
- elect Exiles – Drew Dixon
- Faith and Facts – Dr. Bruce L. Baker
- FIDE-O – Jason Robertson
- For His Renown – Jim Hamilton
- God. Real. Right. – Barry Creamer
- Illumination — MCTS Blog
- kata Drew – Drew Maust
- Lawn Gospel – Hank Balch
- Locust Grove Baptist Church – Kelly Bridenstine
- Locusts and Wild Honey – Don Elbourne
- Merk DeVine
- Moving at the Speed of God – David Jackson
- Off The Wire – Matthew Wireman
- Pastor Steve Weaver’s Blog
- Rebuild Lakeshore – Don A. Elbourne Jr.
- Says Simpleton – Ched Spellman
- The Sunday School Revolutionary! – Darryl Wilson
- W. David Phillips – missional. theological. personal.
- We Are Texas Baptists
- who am i? – Barry Wallace
- Bryan Lilly
Beware the Ides of March!
I’m honored to even be in a list. Look forward to the games. selahV
I think that sbcimpact should have had a higher ranking based on strength of season….
Dave Sampless last blog post..A Spiritual Stimulus Plan – Part 2 – "Direction"
I’m just happy to be on the bubble. That’s a big step up for me and something to build on for next year.
Steve Weavers last blog post..D.A. Carson at Union University
I’m honored to be considered. And I certainly deserve to be placed ahead of Steve Weaver, so you have once again displayed your wisdom and prudence, Tony.
Tims last blog post..Piper on boys wrestling girls
If the strength of the opposition during the regular season is taken into consideration, I should be up for a pretty high seeding, even though a case can be made that I am past my prime and youth must be served. 😉
tom ascols last blog post..What He Must Be: Can’t Find One…Build One
I vote for CROSS-eyed: Justin Childers to make the final 64. I also vote for Thoughts of an NC Baptist: Justin Nale (not in your “bubble” list but very bubble worthy) http://www.ncbaptist.blogspot.com
Jim U.s last blog post..Death-Bed Introductions to God
I’ve had a tip that SBC Today no longer allows reader comments. Can anyone confirm this ?
Tony, you are correct.
SBC Today has shut off all comments. They said that they didn’t have time to deal with comments.
Dave Millers last blog post..Only Sinners Get a Savior!
Tony, it would be nice to qualify writers to have posted at least 12 posts with a positive slant about the Convention throughout the year, don’t ya think?. selahV
selahVs last blog post..FIVE WAYS TO INCREASE BLOG READERSHIP
SelahV,
I like the idea, but don’t think anyone could read that many SBC blog posts without losing their salvation. (There I go being negative again!)
Once we get to the Sweet 16 round I’ll offer some commentary on the contenders and will say something about their +/- posts about the SBC.
If it’s any help, the negative bloggers didn’t make it far last year.
Tim,
I demand a retraction!
Tony,
How can you allow his outrageous comment stand? Please delete it immediately!
In Christ,
Steve
Steve Weavers last blog post..D.A. Carson at Union University
It is an honor to even be listed as a bubble team. In order to put myself in the big dance I will be doing the following things: 1) Mention Mark Driscoll in every post (just to get traffic up) 2) Go to the website of every other bubble team and stir up so much trouble that they have to turn off their comments 3) Hire a better writer to run my blog 4) Go to the annual convention and attempt to get recognized at a microphone. Regardless of the topic I will mention Calvinism, alcohol, theological triage, speaking in… Read more »
Just remembered that the annual convention is in June….so……consider that a threat if I don’t make it to the top 64…I will next year!!!!
LOL
Mike Leakes last blog post..The Economic Crisis and Church
I know I’m on the bubble, but truthfully, a lot of the other blogs on the bubble are better than mine. What can I say? The truth hurts.
Barry Wallaces last blog post..Win a Free Calfskin ESV Study Bible
I tweeted this post 🙂
Which leads me to a question, Tony! Are you on facebook or twitter?
Sallie
Sallies last blog post..Pelican Point
@ Mike:
Great case, the selection committee was impressed!
@Sallie Anderson:
I’m on Twitter & Facebook as TonyKummer – but I’m not very into it.
I am confused… How far are we in this competition? Are we supposed to be voting somewhere? Who do I need to buy some coffee for?
Matt Svobodas last blog post..Some Food for Thought (and hopefully digestion)
No – this is just the chance for people to influence the final selections and seeding.
Tony, I don’t think folks know how to influence the final selections and seeding. Exactly how does that work? Did Matt’s funny comment about what he would say at the convention in Louisville push him to the top of the list? (j/k) If that’s what it takes then I’ll write an entire post spotlighting how my 4-year-old granddaughter insisted I make alphabet soup and feed it to my three-legged dog so he would talk like “Martha”. (uh…ya gotta watch cartoons to understand that). selahV
selahVs last blog post..BENEFICIAL BLOGGERS…who are they?
Well, if my say means anything at all here are my 4 number 1 picks:
Kingdom People- Trevin Wax
Internet Monk- Michael Spencer
Denny Burk
SBC Tomorrow- Peter Lumpkins
Im not sure how they rate according to the numbers, but I certainly enjoy, am challenged, and learn from those 4 sites the most.
Matt Svobodas last blog post..Looking Ahead to The Big 12 Tournament
I think I need to get to the Big Dance. I made the Sweet 16 last year and if not for a questionable last minute push in voting by Steve McCoy’s blog, I would have made it to the Final 4. Still questioning what happened there . . . This has been a good year for me, and I finished strong with my posts on the SBC and Communion last week. I even got 51 comments on one post and that never happens! I was also one of only 2-3 bloggers who live blogged the convention in Indianapolis (from watching… Read more »
@Alan:
Self promotion is part of being a Southern Baptist – so it is an essential quality signal for all SBC blog evaluation.
@SelahV:
So many of the big names form last year have been falling from the blogsphere. I need to write a post about it. Your excellent writing on this blog has already earned you favored consideration.
@Matt Svoboda:
Thanks for the input. Peter had a good year in gaining attention. That’s really what blog influence means in a general sense.
Alan, Live strong. I am all for self promotion. For example: I think Evangelical Village should at least make the dance because we have only been around for 5 1/2 months and we have already made a ‘decent’ splash. More importantly I think we have been very successful at dialogue with other groups within Evangelicalism despite differing theological opinions. But, if EVillage doesnt make it I will understand because it is a relatively new blog still. We are about to write an extensive piece on what it means to be an Evangelical, which is bound to be controversial, and it… Read more »
Okay, then. I am feeling bolder. IF I make your tournament again this year, can I then get put into your “SBC Watchlist” feedreader? You know, the one that has the “most influential blogs” on top? That would be even better than making the tournament, actually. Admittedly, my ego has been a little shaken that I was not already in there. I keep telling myself that it is because I don’t write about SBC issues that often, but then again, iMonk doesn’t either. But, then again, I’m not iMonk. Oh well. Too much? I’m feeling bad again. It seems as… Read more »
Alan, you are simply shameless. 🙂
Tony, well, last year I made it pretty far up but being matched against Tom Ascol is like putting a toad in the Kentucky Derby. selahV
selahVs last blog post..BENEFICIAL BLOGGERS…who are they?
Three other blogs I would like to give a shout out for are
Todd Burus
Bart Barber
Mike Fox
Matt Svobodas last blog post..Looking Ahead to The Big 12 Tournament
Matt — I’m so far out of the race it isn’t even funny, BUT I’ll take a whole milk latte with no extra flavor, no sugar, and no foam if you feel you just have to buy a coffee for someone 🙂
Sallies last blog post..Pelican Point
@Alan: The blogs that make the 64 will be put in the watch list – great idea!
Hey! I made the bubble! That means I’m, at the very least, doing better than my stupid Maryland Terrapins–the men’s team that is!
It’s an honor to be thought of as a bubble blog! After all, I don’t think I’ve every had anything I’ve done considered to be in the same category of Dr. York! Now we’re both on the bubble and that’s pretty good company for me!
Blessings,
The Archangel
The Archangels last blog post..Pro-Abortion: An Impossible Position
I am ready for March Madness to begin!!! SBC style that is… Lets vote!
Matt Svobodas last blog post..Interview: Mark Dever
Put Elect Exiles in the tourney!!!! Come on!
kschaubs last blog post..The Danger of Living in the Facebook Generation
Hey! Did anyone see the Syracuse/Connecticut game?
Will we have 6 overtimes????
Talk about “madness” in March–That’s a game and three-quarters!
Blessings,
The Archangel
The Archangels last blog post..Pro-Abortion: An Impossible Position
Wow – I’m in the bubble. Thanks for including me, brother! Now I’ll have to really follow the brackets closely . . . 😉
John Botkins last blog post..Simple Apologetics