(Not) Sponsors – Marty Duren

advertisehereAdvertisements have become one of the features of many blogs and websites. There is certainly nothing wrong with hoping to monetize one’s love for writing and engaging others thoughtfully. But, this requires a very broad and widely read website. For some of us who write as a means of processing thoughts and thinking provocatively about life and faith advertising rarely is considered.

David helped me re-work this website and the template afforded some space for advertising and sponsors. Since I do not have sponsors, I chose to refer to the section on the far right sidebar as, (Not) Sponsors. On the one had they are sponsors in the sense my relationship with those listed there fund my imagination, provoke me to think beyond my norms, or provide encouragement to “press on.” On the other hand they are not sponsors in the sense I receive no compensation for putting a small image to click through to their website. So they are (Not) Sponsors.

Over the next couple of weeks I want to introduce you to these (Not) Sponsors. Meet Marty.

I met Marty online a few years ago. Lifeway put together a message board for “young leaders.” At the time I was on the edge of their demographic. I learned that Marty was too. Then it was common to have a “handle.” Rather than looking for anonymity it was one of those “cute” things to do.

The conversations on the Young Leader message board surfaced a great deal of frustration with the shape and structure of the SBC. Some were more interested in the narrow methodologies accepted by those who often spoke at national or training events. Others were convinced there was a need to account for an insidious pragmatism that seemed to shun ethics, the ethics of Jesus in particular.

Two who commented separated themselves from the rest. Steve McCoy opened up conversations at his own website, www.stevekmccoy.com and Marty Duren took greater interest to post on his site, SBCOutpost.com. Steve trended away from SBC politics on his blog. Marty became something of the Matt Drudge of the SBC. Eventually Marty opened up his site to other contributors. The stir created by the expose’s offered there became the fodder for platform diatribes against bloggers who should spend more time witnessing. Ironically many of those critics have embraced the medium and can be found Twittering and on Facebook.

Marty writes for Examiner.com. He has been a pastor for 20 years. He is an author. He is a friend.

About the Author
Husband to Patty. Daddy to Kimberly and Tommie. Grandpa Doc to Cohen, Max, Fox, and Marlee. Pastor to Snow Hill Baptist Church. Graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reading. Photography. Golf. Colorado. Jeeping. Friend. The views and opinions expressed here are my own and should not be construed as representing the corporate views of the church I pastor.

2 comments on “(Not) Sponsors – Marty Duren

  1. Marty Duren says:

    Thanks for the shoutout, dude!

    1. Any time. I hope readers here will find your work and be provoked in some way.

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