In this season of evaluation of what to quit and not to quit to be the most effective leader possible, I thought I'd throw the blog on the table and ask myself the question again, "why?" It started out as an experiment that I wasn't too sure I could keep up with. Nevertheless, 8 months in, 243 posts and 45,000 hits later...I've concluded, at least for now, it's still viable. So, here's my reasons of why I feel like it's important and perhaps it will clarify some things if you've ever wondered my intent.
1. Blogging gives me the opportunity to communicate vision outside of the once a week on Sunday morning. We all need steady reminders of why we do what we do.
2. Blogging allows people to get to know me beyond a sermon on Sunday morning. My weekly schedule doesn't allow the 1500+ in our community to have regular access to me, yet I don't want to be the pastor/leader who just pops out on the stage on Sunday, teaches, and that's all the community knows about me. So, blogging gives people more insight into who I am.
3. Blogging about real life breaks down the "pastor mystique" that reminds people I'm 'normal.' I can write about wanting to tear off an employee's head because he dissed my kid, or my struggles loving 'Soccer Dad', or the challenge of shedding some pounds (btw...197). I think it's good for the community but it's also good for me. I can't blog about my life and at the same time try to put up a front that everything is perfect.
4. Blogging lets me share great stories that come across my desk of people living out our mission that don't always fit on Sunday morning.
5. Blogging allows me to point people to great resources.
6. Blogging lets people know my family. I actually studied about blogs quite a bit before launching one and there's different viewpoints out there. Some people want to keep their family life completely private. Others open it up to the world. To me, ministry and family are very intertwined. It's the primary way my faith gets lived out as a husband and father. So, I open it up. If you're one who prefers just to keep up with major church announcements and happenings, rather than sort through my blog postings, simply sign up for our weekly ENEWS that comes out every week via the connect card on Sunday morning. All major updates, announcements, and happenings that affect the community at large are included there and you don't have to hear likely upcoming stories about "T-ball Dad."
7. Blogging gives me the chance to share things that make me laugh out loud. Everyone should laugh more.
8. Blogging lets me reinforce values I believe are important-so when I rant about the Santa Clause Debate or Churches Closing Due to Snow Debate-it gives tangible application to the values I strive to live out and that I feel reflect life in the Kingdom.
9. Blogging brings our whole community along for the journey when I go on mission trips-in practically real time-rather than me telling everyone what happened after the fact.
10. Blogging allows people to more effectively pray me and my family. I so covet the prayers of our community. Way too may lead/senior pastor families crumble under the stress and scrutiny of leading a large church. I want to make it the long haul....so blogging is a consistent way to share my life and allow people to pray more specifically.
So, thanks for coming along for the journey.
See also
6 Reasons Pastors Should Blog
March 31, 2008 | By: Abraham Piper
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1156_6_reasons_pastors_should_blog/
I watch the blog on Google Reader. We live too far away in north Durham to attend the church but like what you I like what you're up to.
Some day, let's have coffee.
Grace and peace,
andy
Andy Rowell
Th.D. Student
Duke Divinity School
Blog: http://www.andyrowell.net/
Posted by: Andy Rowell | April 03, 2008 at 11:10 AM