Why Do You Blog?

I think this is a fair question, even if most people who ask it are doing so with the underlying assumption that it’s a waste of time. Which is fair because my time is more limited today than ever before. Between being a husband and dad, establishing a growing relationship with Christ and pastoring along with a full time “day” job, I have to be pretty selective on what activities I engage in and what activities I pass up.

Here are some reasons why I choose to invest a portion of my time in blogging.
(And I might add here…I think these reasons can apply to all of us who consider ourselves Christ followers.)

1. We can encourage other believers.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to “encourage one another daily.” I’m always looking for ways to use my blog and my twitter/facebook accounts for that matter to bring a smile to someone’s face and at the very least just take their mind off of whatever they might be dealing with.

2. We can create community.
I’m tired of being a talking head. The last thing I want is just another platform where I’m talking. Blogs allow us to turn our sermons into conversations allowing people to interact, question, discuss and debate. That’s why I value the conversations that take place here in the comments section.
(So if you’re lurking around…go ahead and comment…let’s start a conversation!)

3. We can establish relational influence.
People don’t want to follow me just because I have pastor in front of my name. For what it’s worth I feel that this puts me at a disadvantage. People want to know that as a Christ follower are we authentic? I am learning that influence is directly related to relationship. In other words no relationship, no influence.

4. We can show the world the origin of our hope.
Matthew 5:14 says, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden” (and neither can a blog). While I love writing about my family, my church and all the other crazy and sometimes stupid things that happen in my life, ultimately I pray that people see the light of Christ through my life and my posts.

Do you blog? If so why?