I’ve been reading Israel’s and Scoble’s book on Business blogging called “Naked Conversations”. It sounds dodgy, but it’s a book about using blogs to communicate with your customers; How blogs can repair corporate image and rebuild lost trust. Scoble argues that blogging in some way contributed to the rebuilding of Microsoft’s image, as it provided an oppportunity for customers to talk back to the company and get responses in a personal way, instead of being talked at.
Having just read the first few chapters of this book, I’m starting to discover why I am blogging in the first place. More importantly, I’m finding reasons why people in Christian Ministry, especially pastors or Christian leaders should blog. Here are 5 reasons.
- Blogging helps you to go global while staying local. Chris, my church pastor, uses this phrase to describe what church should be like. The church should be so big minded that it should constantly think about reaching out to other people both at our doors and in the world, but it should be so small so that it is personal and it ministers to the individual. That’s exactly what a blog does. A blog is for the world to see, but it is also a personal conversation between you and the reader.
- Blogging gets your thoughts/ideas across in the most efficient manner. Every sunday, on the church bulletin, there is usually a letter by a pastor to the congregation about his thoughts on the studies during the week as well as any announcements. Why not do that on a blog?
- Bloggers feed off each other for ideas and encourage each other. It is often said that “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” I find I get many ideas, thoughts, and challenges from reading other people’s blogs. This often helps to sharpen and shape my thinking. Several posts like this one on a letter to a christian girl have sparked off much discussion and I think we’re better off for it. In fact, the post itself was borne out of my chats with other bloggers.
- Blogging keeps the blogger accountable. Some prefer to hide behind a cloak of anonimity when they blog. But for me, I prefer to be up front. It keeps me ccountable. When I write about my family, or my wife, the fact that people can cross-check with my wife or can see me in real life keeps me in check. If I write that I do the housework everyday or cook for her everyday, Sarah will tell the whole world that I’m lying. She loves to do that
- Bloggers challenge and encourage each other. Reading oclouds, HKGirl, and cassia’s blog, I am challenged at how they hold on to Christ even when they are in foreign lands. I like to read Island and Neonangel accounts of their daily life and thoughts as they struggle to live Godly lives for Him. And while Ruth’s blog makes me hungry, it also brings a smile to my face as I track Daniel’s growth and try to imagine how Lizzie would be like in 4 months (Daniel is 4 months ahead of Liz). When my family was going through a difficult time in bringing up Lizzie, besides the prayers of many friends, the comments that people leave encouraged us greatly.
Blogging is in essence, another form of conversation. It is like an insight to a person’s thoughts and opinions. I don’t know about you, but I find some things easier to write and share on a blog than in conversation with another person. Take for example my struggles on Sarah’s breastfeeding. If I just met you in church, what are the chances of me telling you all that?
How much richer would our ministry would be if we all share our thoughts and struggles with each other. I’ve been reading Josh Harris’ blog and Together for the gospel .There is much to learn. Shall we get the ARPC team to start blogging?
