Blogging Pastors

Many of you have read the post by Abraham Piper, 6 Reasons Pastors Should Blog, but if not, it's worth a look and some serious consideration. All six points are important but I think his last point, ...to be known, is almost crucial. The last paragraph is paramount:

You can’t be everybody’s friend, and keeping a blog is not a way of pretending that you can. It’s simply a way for your people to know you as a human being, even if you can’t know them back. This is valuable, not because you’re so extraordinary, but because leadership is more than the words you say. If you practice the kind of holiness that your people expect of you, then your life itself opened before them is good leadership—even when you fail.

Pastors: You lead and guide us but we want to know you better. We want to know what makes you tick. We want to know where we connect with you and maybe where we don't. We want to see how God works in your life and not just on Sunday morning. We want to see you as a person, redeemed by God yet imperfect.

So start blogging already.

Are You a Blogging Scoffer?

Are you a blogging scoffer? I was reminded just how serious this question is while recently listening to Tim Keller's address this year at the Gospel Coalition. While speaking of those who are religious idolators he notes two marks of the scoffer (Proverbs 1:22; 9:7-8; 13:1; 14:6; 15:12; 19:25; 19:29; 21:11; 21:24; 22:10; 24:9; 29:8). The first is that he is dogmatic and closed minded. The second is that he is always "disrespectful to opponents, always belittling, always mocking, always distainful." Keller points out that "the internet breeds scoffers" because traffic is increased to your blog if you're a scoffer. So, even if what you believe is truth, it is possible to make an idol of it.

Are you a bloging scoffer? Let us always consider this before we click publish and let us think biblically about how we are increasing traffic to our blogs.

New Blog: Oratio, Meditatio, Tentatio

Hey everyone, take look at my new blog, Oratio, Meditatio, Tentatio. Of course, this blog will continue as is however, Oratio, Meditatio, Tentatio will be focused on biblical studies concerning prayer, meditation and trials as the title suggests. Let me know what you think and subscribe to the feed.

Blogging Thoughts

Paul Wallace (recently interviewed by the Exiled Preacher) has listed some concerns about blogging that I believe are worth some review. He lists seven points, permit me to comment on one and seven. Points two - six are spot on (and let me point out that I have, concerning point number six, submitted myself to the authority of my church for my blog). His first concern is as follows, There are some extremely influential blogs that I think don’t even slightly deserve the influential position they have. Vice-versa as I have said before I get much more benefit from “small” blogs like most of those listed on my side-bar where real, ordinary pastors and other folks are sharing God’s word and their meditations there-on. I emphatically agree. There are a few large blogs that are worth read such as Justin Taylor’s Between Two Worlds, Mark Driscoll’s blog and the Desiring God blog and that’s about it. There is one out there that I can’t for the life of me fathom why its so popular but it is and that’s the way it is. So be it. Wallace’s affirmation that smaller blogs are of more benefit is very true. There is much more to be derived from the average guy or gal who is out there striving to do God’s work in a sinful world and sharing their life’s moments and learnings with us.

His last point is just as insightful: …I am convinced there are way too many armchair theologians out there, who can pontificate about finer points of doctrine and church practice but are not attached to a church at all, or are attached to churches that are well off doctrinally, but they can vent their frustrations in the internet realm, instead of taking courage and joining biblical churches. Likewise they cut down faithful people who just forget to dot their i’s and cross their t’s now and again. I learned my lesson with these folks years ago when I was involved with a particular newsgroup that had some theological heavyweights as members. These guys would cut you down over the least infraction. I often wondered what their congregations thought of them as many were Pastors. I describe myself as an armchair theologian but I don’t think you’ll find me pontificating (I love that word) very often. What you’ll find here is where I’m at, i.e., what I’m reading or thinking about, what I’m struggling through, what has encouraged me and therefore I hope what will encourage you.

Thanks Paul for a great post.

Don't Waste Your Blog

I read and consume numerous blogs daily and even more weekly. I’ve come to the conclusion that many folks do have something valuable to say and share. Much of it is original. Much of it is simply sharing a quote. Much of it is sharing your personal life with us to some degree. Much of it is a mix of all of the above and more. Much of it is worth your time. Much of it is not. For example, sometimes I simply quote a Puritan as the quote has had an impact at some level in my life and even if no one else reads it, I can refer back to it myself and be reminded of its value. But if I all I do is quote others I’m wasting my blog as there are plenty of quote sites and other bloggers doing the same thing. I was recently quoted by someone who does nothing else on her blog but quote other bloggers. What is the point? Be original, be dynamic, and be insightful whenever you can. So, don’t waste your blog this way.

I often come across blogs or blog posts that are full of mis-spellings and various other errors. When we as bloggers do this it is clear that we are not adept at what we are doing and we then will not come across to others, especially unbelievers, as intelligent, thoughtful Christians. Don’t waste your blog this way.

I’ve seen and I’m sure you have as well, many critical blogs. Critical of other Christians. I’m not referring to the academic negative book review for example, but rather the overall critical nature that puts down others to build up oneself. Don’t waste your blog this way.

There are those who blog and often quite insightfully but don’t share with us who you are or where you’re coming from. I ignore these blogs as there is something wrong with one who wants you to read his blog but not share his background. Tell us who you are. I can’t take someone seriously if he won’t tell me something about himself. Don’t waste your blog this way.

Stop blog-dumping or I believe it is more commonly called blogorrhea. You've seen these blogs, there are five posts a day and only one of the posts is worth reading. Don’t waste your blog this way.

Respond to those who have taken the time to leave a comment. Yeah, we all forget from time to time but don’t be a blogsnob. Don’t waste your blog this way.

Be sure that at least some of your posts are sharing the gospel and/or edifying the body. That’s what we’re here for. I find numerous blogs that are “Christian” and although it may be interesting, I find very little that is truly, biblically edifying. Don’t waste your blog this way.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Col. 3:17

So, don’t waste your blog.

Thoughts on Blogging

Those of us who blog, and there are many reasons for us to do so, ought to give the following on blogging some thought. Abraham Piper observes well when he states, Let the general flavor of your blog be positive, not contentious. If the majority of your content is made up of disagreeing with people, you should question your motives for blogging. If you actually derive pleasure from bashing others, you should just quit. If your blog regularly makes you enemies, that doesn't necessarily mean you're being persecuted for Jesus. It may just mean you're a jerk. Amen. Thus, Sometimes I think I don't have many readers as I don't wish to be contentious which, let's face it, can draw a crowd. Let us all emmulate and praise God for the irenic bloggers that offer Godly, thoughtful & interesting material. I hope we are all in their ranks.

For more on blogging, check here and here.

A Year of Blogging

Well, I’ve been blogging for a year now and after 238 posts I’ve come to a few conclusions about blogging, mine in particular. For one, I would continue blogging even if I had no readers whatsoever. I blog to keep my thoughts on those things I should. If I don’t have anything to blog about I’m not thinking about the right things. Though I would like more readers I don’t do this for fame. Notoriety is not my thing. Developing a few ‘net friendships to discuss the things of God is more my line of country. So, I’ll continue even if the few of you who read this regularly should stop – this is for my own benefit as well as, I hope, yours.
As for blogging itself, I read other blogs to learn and spark my own thinking. Long posts I just don’t have time for. I forget what they say the limit is but if it’s more than 4-5 paragraphs I won’t read it and that seems to be about the blogging standard. I really don’t want to read magazine length articles no matter how well thought out or written. I like blogs that are updated often, at least once a week if not more so I do the same. My philosophy is that the whole blog is as important as the individual article. Thus, it is rare that I don’t add a photo to each post and I rarely re-use a photo, I try to find something new each time. I try to keep it pithy and interesting both visually and in content.
So that’s it really. A year gone by and another year to start. For those of you that I’ve been getting to know, I look forward to reading more of your posts and knowing you even better, sharpening our skills together.
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Prov. 27:17 ESV

Comments on Comments

It appears that Adrian Warnock is no longer permitting comments on his blog. It seems that it takes him quite a bit of time to weed the through the comments and chuck the bad ones. OK, he has a huge readership and that may be what he needs to do. For me, I want the comments. If you're just stopping by for the 1st time or the 100th, I don't care. I really enjoy the interaction and making Christian contacts that without this blog I would never know. So go ahead, leave a comment. Only one caveat, don't leave garbage. You're welcome to commend me or disagree with me but don't leave weird stuff or promote some personal agenda. I recently, for example, received quite a lengthy comment promoting a presidential candidate. It was obviously a standard form letter that was converted. And, clicking on the commenter's name I was connected to a Blogspot page that informed me I could not read the blogger's profile or blog without an invitation. That comment got tanked! So, leave an message and let's interact. After all, Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

For Those of a Blogging Disposition

Some thoughtful posts on blogging can be found here and here. First, the Exiled Preacher reviews Derek Thomas' comments on blogging (although he blogs from time to time). Next, some timely and biblical reflections on blog commenting from Justin Taylor. Both worth of few moments to read.

(HT:Between Two Worlds)

Encouraging a Blogger

This is a great post on Encouraging a Blogger. If you have not read it please take moment to do so. I find the first point the most encouraging and try to do this myself.

Blogging & Renegalia

You know, I don't like talking on the phone. I think it has something to do with not seeing the person I'm conversing with. The sentiment is crossing over to my blogging. As I read blogs I find that many do not have a pic of the author and even worse little or no personal description. Tell me why I should read anything by someone who won't reveal anything about him/herself? Where is the justification in so doing? I just came across a blog where the blogger's pic is one of his shoes, little personal info and goes only by his blogname. Why should I give any creedance to anything he has to say? OK, rant over.

Take a look at the Flickr pics. Numerous pics of my grandson. Yeah, the little bald guy has leukemia. But he is doing well.

Finished the Christian history class I was taking on history from the Reformation to the present. Into the next class on old testament history. These are online classes from Covenant Seminary - really good stuff. Besides, I need more excuses to by more books!