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?
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Tanya, what a wonderful list. Thank you for taking the time to compile it. I’m looking forward to exploring some of the names that are new to me. And to revisiting some older friends. Thanks you, friend. Blessings
Thanks, Elizabeth! Pretty sure your name should have been on my long list too…!
Will add!
Thank you so much for including me! I love so many of the blogs you mentioned, and it’s such an honor to be included on your list:) I need to check out the few that I’m not familiar with already, and update my own woefully neglected blogroll. Thanks, friend:)
You’re most welcome, friend! It always feels like balm, reading your blog.
Question – which is mildly provocative…. (or very provocative)
Vicky Beeching has written two blog posts in nearly 18 months – one of which was just to say I’m going to blog again….. So call that one blog post. If that is number 30 – should I bother to read anything that just misses out? (or is it because she’s a friend?)
😉
Ha! Yes, Vicky’s blog has been on a bit of a break recently. Well, perhaps I am biased, but then again, she does have an award-winning blog and her articles now appearing in mainstream press as well…
There are also loads of really excellent and very popular blogs in the long list – the ones I listed in my top 30 are the blogs that I just happen to prioritise coming back to and visiting. From my top 100 – hmm, I reckon you’d enjoy Timothy Willard – you should check him out.
these are my people! you’re a doll:)
We have excellent taste! 🙂
Tanya, thanks so much for the inclusion. And also, thanks for the words. I think I like that picture of me wriggling out 😉
Tanya, I love this description of Lore’s writing as well. You’re so right. She always surprises me.
I’m glad! 🙂
on tanya, what a wonderful list. I love blog rolls of favourites and ones that you visit timely because I often find such amazing writers and dear friends from following blogs. many of your top 30 i have found myself knodding along with and experiencing a bit of life together. The one’s i’ve not read i’ll definately have to check out…and add to my reader. thank you friend.
I’m so glad you found it helpful! That was utterly my intention in doing this – to point people to the things I’ve found most helpful.
What a huge privilege to be on your list! Thank you, Tanya, and thank you for pointing to some really helpful ones to read. Like you, I’m finding much deep inspiration, support and encouragement from some of these blogs and am very grateful to live in the age of technology because of this! Your own blog should most definitely be very high on this list – so that’s the one you have omitted!
– Penelope x
Penelope – you are one of the loveliest people on the blogosphere – and this comment just goes to show why. Much love to you. Xx
Tanya! I’m so honored by your kind words and to be included in your top 30. So many of my favorites are on your list. Proof we are kindred spirits!
Yay! You clearly have excellent taste too!