Why I Blog . . . and why other Pastors should too!

Ok, I have been thinking a lot about this blogging thing. I have been encouraged by the many at Grace and beyond who have found my blog in just a short week and a half. It's made me think, "Why am I doing this?" Here are five reasons I have come up with so far. . . .

1. Inreach: This was my original aim. I thought blogging could be another way to connect to the Grace Church, SLO family. Its working. Blogging has allowed me to reach into the congregation and connect with some I haven't before. I'm encouraged by this and excited about the potential. I want to encourage more posting by those who are logging on. Share your thoughts and reactions. My posts are meant to be conversation starters. A conversation goes two ways. Let's explore, contemplate and pursue about what it means to live "life together" in Jesus Christ.

2. Outreach: Beyond the Grace community, I see blogging as a way to connect to the broader community on the Central Coast and the broader internet community throughout the world. The blogoshere is definitely a weird thing. Other blogs know when you link to them. (I discovered this last week, when I mentioned Stones Cry Out with a link. The same day, Stones Cry Out linked to my blog. Blew me away!) From what I can tell so far, there aren't tons of bloggers on the Central Coast, but I think there should be. Start your own blog. Shout out to other Central Coast Pastors: Start blogging!

3. Outlet: As a Pastor giving leadership to a growing church, there is all kinds of information that I would like to share, but till now, I had no regular easy way to communicate it Blogging has given me an outlet and channel for that information. For those who attend Grace, you know that I am always tucking stuff into the benediction at the end of our worship services. Think of my blog as a "Virtual Benediction."

4. Exercise: Mental jumping jacks. Consistent blogging forces me to THINK. Thinking is good. What am I going to post next? What does the congregation need to know? What am I thinking about in the back of my head? In this way, blogging is sort of a jounal and stream of consciousness. Hopefully a useful one for you. Blogging is a good discipline for me.

5. Engagement: There's a big worldwide conversation happening here on the internet. The conversation is an expression of culture and multiple worldviews. As Christians, I believe we are called to engage culture, to enter into the conversation. Blogging is one of the many ways to engage the culture. Jesus said in Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth. . . You are the light of the world. . . Let your light shine before men, in such a way, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Blogging is one way to let my light shine.

As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments. . . Pastor Tim