This is the definitive list of the top 30 Christian blogs. By what criteria? I hear you cry. Page visits? Twitter followers? Facebook likes?
No, it is more arbitrary than any of these. These are the top faith blogs, simply because I say they are top – and I have impeccable taste.
So, as of March 2013, these are the people I ‘follow’ and come back to, time and again.
You may be surprised to see some ‘big names’ missing. My three criteria are: beautiful writing; in-depth theology or Bible teaching that makes my soul sing; conversation with commenters. The latter is because I am looking for relationship and interaction and dialogue, and I really value those who converse with me. This is perhaps why some of the bigger names are missing – it’s harder to interact when you have more commenters. I like people who reach into the brokenness and pull out gold. I like blogs to be beautiful, true and redemptive – because this is what I seek to do in my writing. These are people who do that.
Do tell me who else I should be reading – I’m discovering new great blogs every day!
Special mention: my favourite
- A Deeper Story/ A Deeper Church/ A Deeper Family. This cooperative deserves a little chart all on its own. I have loved every single post I have ever read on The Deeper Story. When I first started blogging and I thought I was the only one not writing theological rants, I came upon this group of writers and my soul breathed the fresh air. These people are my people. (Nish, Sarah, Megan, Seth – if you’re reading this – I’m your biggest fan! Deeper Story is the best! It’s my lifetime ambition to be a Deeper Storyteller!). Ahem. Sorry about that. But seriously – follow these three channels (Deeper Church is my very favourite-favourite of all.)
This is my top 30 – in alphabetical order:
- Abby Norman @ Accidental Devotional – I love Abby’s impassioned writing about making a difference in everyday life
- Addie Zierman @ How to talk evangelical. Everything, every single thing Addie writes is worth reading. She writes on my favourite topics: spiritual maturity, brokenness and redemption. She speaks my heart and does it with such effortless art that I am always left speechless; just whispering amen, amen.
- Alastair Roberts – PhD student in Durham, studying Old Testament, Alastair is refreshingly different and always makes me think.
- Alia Joy @ Narrow Paths to Higher Places – Alia’s prose flows like a trickling fountain. Her writing on depression is just outstanding – she captures emotion so well.
- Alice Buckley @ Play on the Word – Alice is one of the most lovely people you could ever hope to meet. She writes imaginatively on motherhood, adoption, teaching the word to tinies. Her life flows with Jesus, and so does her writing.
- Amber Haines @ the RunaMuck – Amber’s writing is not just ‘blogging-good’ but ‘literature-good’. She melds poetry and prose together with a deep digging into theology in a way that is breathtakingly beautiful. Start by reading her Lovesongs.
- Amy Young @ the messy middle – Amy is an American working in China. She writes with wit and humour, and I love her global perspective on giving glory to God in the mess.
- Cara @ whimsy smitten – I love the way Cara stitches together a metaphor throughout a blog post, and makes me feel it all.
- Cat Caird – Cat is lovely and I have the privilege of knowing her in real life. She has good things to say about Christian leadership and the importance of encouragement.
- Charity Erickson – I just like this girl’s quirky, sardonic take on life and church.
- Dave Bish @ the bluefish project – I keep returning for his insights on leadership and community.
- David T Lamb – Dave is a rarity on the Internet- he preaches without it feeling preachy. He writes short posts on the Old Testament in a compelling way, seeking to nourish rather than point-score. I always come away from his posts having laughed at his wit and humour and been enriched by his Bible teaching.
- Ed Cyzewski @ in a mirror dimly – Ed always has such great ideas for blog posts and series, and a knack of bringing the best people together. I love his thoughts on writing and creativity.
- Elora Nicole – Elora’s writing is arresting and I love her heart that fights for the broken.
- Emily Wierenga – Emily’s writing on anorexia, image and womanhood is so soft and gentle, and beats with a mother’s love.
- Emma Scrivener – Emma’s blog feels like a chat with a great friend. She says the things that people think and are too afraid to say – on anorexia, image and culture.
- Jenn LeBow – Jenn is brilliant at telling funny and engaging stories and has a great series on Mondays on mercy.
- Jon Marlow @ recurring themes – my husband’s blog posts are always worth reading for his thoughtful insight.
- Joy Bennett @ joy in this journey – I love this feisty lady. She writes about the raw parts of suffering, the bits the church is afraid of.
- Kath Cunningham @ the long walk home – every post really does feel like a companionable stroll, fighting for joy in the grey of life.
- Kimberly Coyle @ find time for tea – living in Switzerland, about to return to the US, I love the way she paints a picture and embeds an emotion right in the middle of it all, without you looking.
- Leigh Kramer @ Hopeful Leigh – Leigh is an encourager, and I always feel uplifted by her writing. Love this girl – she’s a kindred spirit.
- Lore Ferguson @ sayable – I like the way she digs deep into theology stuff. You can’t box her, she wriggles out.
- Micha Boyett @ mama monk – Micha writes of the sacred in the everyday – so gently, so beautifully. She is teaching me how to worship God.
- Nick Parish @ longing to be holy – Nick writes of spiritual disciplines in a way that makes me want to do them. This is a high compliment.
- Preston Yancey @ see Preston blog – I love Preston for his dramatically compelling writing and theological twists. He makes silences speak loud.
- Sarah Bessey – Sarah dances prophetically with her words, and every post makes me want to get up and dance too.
- Seth Haines – when I want to know how to live better, do suffering better, think better of God, I go to Seth’s writing. He is wise.
- Susannah @ the smitten word – this girl merges poetry, worship and feminist and pacifist thought. Brilliant stuff.
- Vicky Beeching – a dear friend, Vicky comments on culture, technology and theology with provocative intelligence.
Making these kinds of lists is fatal. So – whoever happens to be the obvious person I should have listed – I am really sorry: I LOVE your stuff, I read it all the time, and your writing is brilliant. I am just very, very forgetful. Thanks for your grace!
In alphabetical order, here are 70 or so more blogs I stop by, making this a top 100-ish, if you should want more recommendations:
Abby Barnhart
Alece Ronzino Grit & glory
Alise Wright
Andrew Dunlop
Andrew Evans
Andrew Wilson
Anita Mathias
Ann Voskamp
Antonia Terrazas
Ashleigh Baker
Ashley Larkin
Big Bible
Blue Cotton Memory
Brandee Shafer
Brandy Walker
Caris Adel
Chine Mbubaegbu
DL Mayfield
Danny Webster
Daniel Blanche
Diana Trautwein
Dianna Anderson
Donald Miller
Eddie Arthur
Elizabeth Esther
Elizabeth W Marshall
Emily Maynard
Emily P Freeman
Enuma okoro
Esther Emery
Fragmentz
From two to one
Gareth Leaney
Genevieve Thul
Glen Scrivener
God and politics UK
God loves women
Guy Delacambre
Hannah Mudge – we mixed our drinks
Helen Murray – are we nearly there yet?
Her.meneutics – CT women
Holly Grantham
Idelette McVicker
James Prescott
Janice @ in the tangles
Jason Boyett
Jeff Goins
Jessica Bowman
Joe Bunting
John Blase
Joy Lenton
J R Goudeau
Kate Wharton
Kay Morgan-Gurr
Kelli Woodford – Chronicles of grace
Laura Krokos
Lisa-Jo Baker
Malcolm Guite
Marcus Honeysett
Margaret Felice
Mary De Muth
Melanie Gilchrist
Mia de Vries
Nicole Romero – 1000 strands
Nikki @ simply striving
Nish Weiseth
Nontwisted knickers
Pam’s perambulation
Penelope Swithinbank
Prodigal Magazine
Purple Arabesque
Rachel Held Evans
Relevant Magazine
Robin Dance
Ruthie Davies
Ruth Povey
Sam Allberry
Sara Batts – running life
Scot McKnight
Shelly Miller
She Loves Magazine
Tamara Hill Murphy @ this sacramental life
The Alethiophile
Tanya @ truth in weakness
The Vicar’s Wife
The High Calling
Threads
Timothy Willard
Trystan Owain Hughes
Wendy Beech-Ward
Wendy Van Eyck
Over to you:
- Who else should I really be reading?
- Who are your top five favourites?
Liked this post? Do stay in touch – subscribe by email or like my Facebook page.
Such a great list! So many good blogs to read!
http://www.inspiredbyhiswords.co.uk
Thanks for this list!
Tanya, I love your recommendations. I’m a new blogger. I’ve written a book called, “By The Grace of God” as well as a published children’s book series, “Dr. Peacock and Friends”. Though I’m sure you have read a ton of blogs, mine are unique because they are written from messages that I receive from God. You see, I was born dyslexic. I barely passed high school English and often labeled stupid. I was 60 years old when I was woke up in the middle of the night and told to write His messages! After laughing at the suggestion, I knew He was serious. All of the sudden I picked up a pen and wrote my first piece called “Jesus in the Backseat”. I guess you could say I’m a miracle. I would love for you to read my blog and let me know what you think. Bless you and keep up the great work! http://www.danabicksauthor.com
Hi, Dana! Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for sharing, would love to connect with other Christian women bloggers in England… ava [www.inspiredbyHISwords.co.uk]
Hi, Thank you for sharing… Would love to connect with other Christian women bloggers in England… ava [www.inspiredbyHISwords.co.uk]
Hi! THere’s a Facebook group on Christian Bloggers in the UK – you might find that a good way to connect!
Woah. This is pretty exhaustive list. How do you keep up with all these blogs? Do you read them on a daily basis?
Confession: I’m not so good at keeping up with them now, especially that I’m doing so much writing of my own. But I used to follow them on social media, and then whenever a post grabbed me, I’d click on it. Or sometimes I’d just binge-read a blog, and soak in the words.
Wow. This is a great list. I’m going to have a bunch of reading to do. Thanks for sharing!
You’re very welcome!
This is a great list! Thanks so much for sharing – I’m excited to check these out. 🙂