I have heard in several circles lately that blogging is a royal waste of time. Is this true? If it is not true, why should we be blogging? I would love to hear your comments.
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I don’t think it is a waste of time. I have learned a great deal reading other blogs. I have 2 atheists from Australia that post frequently as well as 2 that aren’t believers from Canada. I think it has shrunk our world especially in Baptist life. I wouldn’t have met you and others because of the blogs. I contacted an SBC mega church pastor last week for some help and he knew who I was from my blog and thinks what we do is great! JMHO!
I have seen some blogs that are a complete waste of time. The blog has no useful information. On the other hand, I have many blogs that are incredible and have helped me grow spiritually. Total Leadership would be one of these. We need more blogs like it Total Leadership, not less.
OKpreacher
Blogging is a way to multiply ourselves and our ministries. There is a professor from a Ukranian Seminary that reads this blog and we are in the infant stages of aranging a mission trip to the seminary. When I started blogging I never believed that it would help me connect with other pastors, missionaries, and the world. There are many things that are a waste of time…investing in others and speaking to important issues is never a waste of time. Many who read and write blogs minister to one another on a regular basis. I would guess that if more pastors blogged and communicated on blogs there would be less burnout due to less isolation.
Those who hate blogs either don’t know what they are, don’t have an interest in them, or are fearful of the fact that we now have instant journalism. What you say in public can and will be commented on in the blogosphere. What they need to remember is that what we blog is recorded in cyberspace and there is built in accountability with what is written. I can’t hide from what is written in any of my posts. Are we so prideful that we teach and say is always unchallengable. Blogs provide an interesting check and balance that I am sure sociologist will be writing about in years to come.
I think blogging is a very good thing that can be used for God’s glory. As with anything, there should be a healthy balance. I don’t think blogging is a waste of time but it could become a time waster if we’re not careful. I have noticed several helpful blogs for the building up of the Body of Christ. I have also noticed several blogs that really seem to slam and taint people. I want to be careful that I don’t use blogging as another name for gossip.
I believe blogging can be very cathartic for ministry leaders who are often overwhelmed with tasks and thoughts. Moreover, blogging allows ministry leaders to expand their network, which can also allow for an augmentation in dispensing and receiving the grace and wisdom of the gospel in ways that was not necessarily possible before.
I’ve just recently entered the blogosphere. I must admit that I initially thought it was a crazy thing indeed. However, God just really impressed upon me that it is a way of expanding our territory to reach people with His message. Since I’ve been blogging, I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with some people from all over the world that I never would have encountered where I am. Balance is the key. Perhaps someone here can give me some pointers on my own blog.
You hit the nail on the head on Total Truth. Pulpits are not for soapboxes but since we all have them, blogging is a great outlet. Pastors are really never expected or allowed to say what they really think or feel. Others believe they can say what they want and we are to simply roll over or suck it up and take it. This is a great outlet or venue for personal expression.
And, like you, I don’t golf, fish far too infrequently and my in-laws don’t want me buying the motorcycle I have my eye on (which I’ve justified as a ministry opportunity), so I read a few blogs in my spare time. Those who complain that we should be out “soul-winning” aren’t out there 24/7. Some hunt a lot.
By the way, to this point I’ve been reading and responding occasionally to others but I’ve decided to post my own thoughts on a monthly basis. My first posting was simply describing my choice of penname, the latest is my September article I submitted to a local newspaper. I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of a monthly rotation in that paper for almost a year. From now on, I will post those articles on my blog. The editor sent the latest to an editor friend of his in Baton Rouge saying that he thought it was insightful and full of words that should cause us to think. I’d be interested in your comments. http://www.flawedcricket.blogspot.com
I blog because I learn and grow as a result. I learn from others. I’m challenged. I improve my ability to articulate my beliefs. I have to deal with serious questions and objections to the doctrines I hold to. I have found blogging to be very beneficial.
BTW, I’ve posted an article at my blog: “Teaching Leadership has it’s Time and Place”. I’d be interested in your thoughts since you are the leadership guru.
Link at: http://christopherredman.blogspot.com/2006/08/teaching-leadership-has-its-time-and.html
I made a comment on your site Matt – good words.
And for the record – I consider myself to be no guru – just a pastor who loves the church and is passionate about the impact of solid, spiritual leadership for the benefit of the body!
Blogging has many purposes. Satan wants to use them for evil; God for good. Thank God we serve the One whose purpose will prevail. I see blogging as therapy for the writer and the reader. I see blogging as a place to learn. I see blogging as a place to open up new relationships. It falls short because it doesn’t have that eye-to-eye personal touch, but that simply puts on each of us the responsibility of making those types of relationships out of our contacts here.
[...] found this question on the Total Leadership blog. There are some great comments once you get past the first one. *Top [...]
Why Blogging?
For years I have taught Bible studies at church and in small home groups, usually to groups of from 10-50. Last year I decided to put a Bible study on the internet utilizing a blogging program. It is not a very successful site and certainly not well known nor even that impressive, but it was read by over 75 different people last week, plus more (an undetermined number) accessed it through 43 feeds. In addition, they came to the site from 9 different countries. All in the last 7 days.
Now here is the best part. Nearly every lesson that I have posted so far is read by someone every week. The first lesson that I wrote a year ago was read by someone in the UK. The point is, the same effort that you put into preparing to teach one class on one occasion, can be multiplied on the internet where the lesson can potentially be read by someone everyday for as long as you maintain your blog.
Michael:
You are right on target. Blogs can multiply ministry. Many things that I post on this blog come directly from my research as a doctoral student. Now others can enjoy or go to sleep reading it. Hopefully some people will be equipped and encouraged.
The trick is how to keep blogs going, going, going.
Should Ministry Leaders Blog?
A blogger with a “why” beats one with only a “how” KeyboardBlogging can be a waste of a leader’s time if he doesn’t know what he’s doing or why he’s doing it. (Especially why.) I would never suggest a leader start blogging unless they’ve alrea…
[...] couple of weeks ago I posted a link to Total leadership blog where Pastor Tad Thompson asked this question and received a number of great comments, all worth [...]
[...] totalleader [...]
[...] couple of weeks ago I posted a link to Total leadership blog where Pastor Tad Thompson asked this question and received a number of great comments, all worth [...]
[...] found this question on the Total Leadership blog. There are some great comments [...]
Wow, I love bloggng! I think God gifts us bloggers with the gift of writting and words to reach others! I know I have had many many people grow out of something that they have read, or could relate to on my blog that perhaps I went through. Bloggers are a community that share the similar relationship with Jesus Christ, and if we have an opportuinty to advance His kingdom here through it, well I say LETS GET BLOGGGING!!! God bless. robin