Comments on: A Christian Blogging Dialogue: What do you think?

By: Anita

Anita — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:06:36 +0000

@ Lynn. Welcome to my blog.
As you say... "If I replaced talking with him by talking through my blog, then it would be time to stop blogging!" Amen.
When I led Bible Studies I sometimes found I was digesting passages in terms of what I would say about them to the group, rather than letting them convict my heart.
If one blogs everyday, one soon begins to think in blog posts. I instinctively find myself casting my thoughts in blog posts, only a fraction of which I write, of course.
But yes, one should share one's thoughts with Christ, before you share them with the blogosphere.
And anyone who puts her blog ahead of Christ is not worthy of Christ:)

By: Rhoda

Rhoda — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:30:49 +0000

To answer your question, yes I definitely think Christian blogging can advance the kingdom. I think sometimes people are struggling with something but don't really know how to get out of it, and when they read or hear about someone's else's experience it can really help them to deal with it. Also just by way of sharing what God is teaching you, you can encourage, challenge, comfort or inspire others. God teaches us different things at different times, so to share what he is teaching us will often help others who are at a different stage or haven't thought that way before. Also if we know of good resources then we can refer to them to help others who don't know of them. Having said that, I do it more because I feel God wants me to ('what you hear in the ear, preach on the rooftops')than because of it's usefulness, although I do hope and pray that it's useful to people!

By: lynn

lynn — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:00:10 +0000

Hi,

When I first this I thought "yikes! what have I revealed when I'm blogging?" and then I thought "I blog like I am". I don't think I write a content-heavy blog, but it is clearly deeply reflective and theological in places. I don't write a 100% personal blog, but I do write personally, from personal experience, from a personal perspective, about personal things a lot of the time.

I do get a lot of feedback from my blog and have even found it cited in a number of places because I engage in quite an unusual ministry - I am neither a children's worker nor a lead pastor. I studied at one of only two places to offer solid theological generalist training alongside specialisms in children and family ministry. So I know that people do learn things from my blog, and that it is used to point people to some astoundingly good reflective and practical theology on spiritual growth and development written by long, long established academics.

I don't feel a pressure to HAVE TO post, I don't have time to do a daily entry anyway.If a month goes by I feel I should post a wee update but because I do not or will not write a blog post to perform for someone/anyone, sometimes I have gaps for 2-3 weeks. I've been writing it for 2006 and dont feel that I will ever completely stop. I can see my own growth and development in this time (I started a pastoral paid role in 2004).

I appreciate hugely the people I have come into contact with through my blog, from the CEO of the Barna Organisation to the quiet person who slips in and out of church irregularly yet feels they can be in touch with me through the blog. I feel a duty to speak honestly and yet with grace, to share my hurts and frustration yet also my deep, deep belief in the one who is greater still and to whom I run first.

If I replaced talking with him by talking through my blog, then it would be time to stop blogging!