If you're a blogger or otherwise interested in how we can spread the gospel and honor Christ online, I recommend considering a trip to Las Vegas this fall for GodBlogCon. Here are 5 reasons I think this could be beneficial for you:

1. The other attendees.

There are only a few events that gather Christian bloggers together in a real room rather than gathering at each other's websites. This physical facetime is invaluable for interacting at a truly personal level. Last year, fellowshipping with new acquaintances and meeting friends who I'd only interacted with online was the highlight of the conference for me.

2. The speakers.

The folks presenting at this conference will help us think deeply about how we use new media to honor Jesus in everything from how we do church to how we interact with Hollywood.

3. It's unique.

I know of no other conference specifically for Christians bloggers. If blogging is important—and I think it is—then events like GodBlogCon serve a valuable role in keeping us encouraged and on task.

(Of course, I'd be happy for my ignorance to be pointed out to me. If you know of other events like this one, let me know.)

4. It's still small.

As blogging becomes more mainstream, events like this will become more commonplace. This will have its advantages, of course, but for now, GodBlogCon is still the kind of conference where you can actually meet most the attendees and maybe even glean some wisdom from one of the speakers over a rack of ribs at a smoky casino a block off the Strip.

Which leads me to the fifth reason to consider coming to GodBlogCon...

5. It's in Vegas.

OK, I know that for almost everyone reading this, GodBlogCon being in Vegas is probably a reason to not come, but let me have a shot at giving it a positive spin for you.

The practical advantage of having the conference there is that it can be in conjunction with BlogWorld Expo, an "industry-wide tradeshow, conference, and media event dedicated to promoting the dynamic industry of blogging and new media." Registration to GodblogCon includes access to the tradeshow.

On a deeper level, the value in meeting in Vegas is because it is undesirable. The Christians who come to GodBlogCon could easily hide in their hotels and conference meeting-rooms, stuffing their uncharitable feelings toward Sin City. Or we could recognize that here we are, people who love Jesus, at the heart of a place where Jesus is ignored, if not worse.

What an influence we could have if we saw this as an opportunity to love Christ and those who need him! Along the Strip is every kind of sinner. Let's not forget that we Christians follow a man who would go out of his way to love and save these kinds of people—just like he did for you and me.

I'm excited for this conference—thinking, talking, eating, learning—and now, after writing this post, I don't even mind that it's in Vegas anymore.