Collide Magazine

Blogger Q&A: Tony Morgan

Scott McClellan - Originally posted Monday, September 15, 2008 -

A couple times a month we’re going to send an influential blogger five quick questions about his or blog and ministry. First up is Tony Morgan of NewSpring Church. Tony’s blog is informative, entertaining, and insightful, and belongs among your blog feed subscriptions. Here are his responses to our hard-hitting queries:

COLLIDE: For people who aren’t familiar with your blog, what can they expect to find at TonyMorganLive.com?

Tony Morgan: An ugly mugshot of me. They'll also find my story. I basically just share what's happening in my life keeping in mind that it's primarily other ministry leaders that are following the journey. I try to share new discoveries, learnings, thoughts and experiences. Frankly, I think it's a little scary that anyone is interested.

COLLIDE: Why do you put time and effort into blogging?

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Morgan: Honestly, the primary reason I blog is for personal growth. It's easier for me to process when I write. With that in mind, my blog is literally my online journal of developing thoughts. I'm able to take steps in my spiritual and leadership journey because I'm formulating what I think and believe while I write. The side benefit is that it also creates a forum for conversation. That, too, helps refine my thinking and how I approach leadership and life.

COLLIDE: Tell us about your next book, Killing Cockroaches.

Morgan: Well, the best description of the new book is that it will be an extension of the conversation that's happening on my blog. The book is a compilation of thoughts on ministry leadership and strategy. I'm a pretty simple guy, so I don't know how to write complicated books. I've tried to keep it very practical and easy-to-read. Some of my favorite parts of the book, though, are sections that I didn't write. Killing Cockroaches includes contributions from guys like Seth Godin, Craig Groeschel,  Mark Batterson, Guy Kawasaki and Steven Furtick. Oh, and I've convinced my publisher that we should include a little humor as well. One of my goals is to make you laugh.

COLLIDE: A lot of exciting things are going on at NewSpring Church--a rebranding effort and the addition of a second campus. As the Chief Strategic Officer, how have you been involved in those projects and how do they serve NewSpring’s overall mission?

Morgan: My role is just to remove barriers and create an atmosphere for people to express their God-given gifts. I hang out with Perry [Noble, NewSping pastor] and the other ministry leaders, catch the vision and then help my team maintain a laser-focus on our mission as a church. Hopefully, along the way, I'm shaping the systems and strategies we implement to create a contagious ministry environment where people are meeting Jesus and taking their next steps toward Christ. It's a fun job. I don't deserve to get paid for what I do. (Don't tell Perry I said that, though.)

COLLIDE: Five years from now, how do you think NewSpring will have changed from its current state?

Morgan: I have no idea. I do think, however, that the last five years offer some insight into the future. With that, the only two things I know for sure are that we will still be focused on helping people become fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ, and the church will probably look a lot different than it does today.

Visit Tony’s blog at TonyMorganLive.com.