Why I Blog
Last week a good friend and colleague asked me why I blog. It wasn’t a “what’s the point” kind of question but more of a “what keeps you going” query. He then pointed me to a great post along similar lines by Katya Andresen, host of “Katya’s Non-Profit Marketing Blog.” All of which got me thinking.
What you see below is the result, the five reasons I blog (which turn out to be not that different than Katya’s, but it was still a helpful exercise to clarify the reason for all the effort 🙂 ). Quick note: the question I’m trying to address isn’t about content – faith and life – but vehicle, the blog. With that in mind, here are the five reasons I keep at it nearly a year – and 600 posts – into the endeavor.
1) To keep learning, keep growing – the blog not only gives me space to learn more by exploring and trying out new ideas, it more or less demands that I do.
2) To go way, way beyond the usual confines of my discipline and training. It’s an excuse (and imperative) to delve into things I’m curious about but otherwise would have no business exploring.
3) To get better at some of the things I love – creative thinking, clear writing. A la Suzuki, I’m a huge believer that the only way we get really good at anything is by practice. While the blog sometimes feels like a rather stern taskmaster, it demands that I keep honing my skills. If it really does take 10,000 hours of doing something to become a master, the blog will have pushed me exponentially ahead of where I would have been otherwise.
4) To stretch myself, not just in terms of skills or competencies but in terms of what I think I can do. So I also blog to overcome the critic that lives in each of us and to do things I didn’t think I could do. One of the things I’ve discovered about creativity, for instance, is that thinking you’re creative is one of the most important elements of actually being creative. For years I never thought of myself as creative – and still have a hard time verbally saying that I think I am (hence the awkwardness of this sentence) – until someone told me that I was. And that invited me to try something a little creative, and external feedback increased my “creative confidence,” which led to more forays and so on and so on. In this way, I guess, I’m like – maybe we all are – the Cowardly Lion who needed the medal to remind him that he was already brave.
5) To be a resource to others. I blog, in part, simply because I can, because I’ve been afforded this wonderful life, position, and opportunities and because I want to share what I’m learning with folks who might not otherwise get the chance to encounter some of these ideas. So when I go searching for things that delight, inspire, and teach me about how to be a Christian in the world today, I feel – and I hope this doesn’t sound presumptuous – like I’m going in part on behalf of others.
And now, if you’re willing, I’d love to hear why you keep reading – this or other blogs, certainly, but anything you can offer by way of suggestions of making this blog more useful would be great.
Thanks so much for what finally is, if it’s going to work, a collaboration.
I keep reading your blog because you are our son and I enjoy reading what you write and the variety of selections and subjects.
Thanks, Dad!
Love to you and Mom!!
I just loved your article about blogging! I especially loved your reference to the dear Cowardly Lion of the Wizard of Oz. This was one of my favorite stories (and still is) when I was a child. The beloved book contains so many truths in plain, understandable language!
I often wish my own Pastor would start an e-mail dialog with her parishioners, but she won’t consider it. I think she feels she’s already doing enough with her Sunday sermons. But, Sunday sermons do not allow for a connection, a back and forth, dialog that so many people crave.
We do have a bible study class that allows for that kind of thing, and I love it. Still…I long for the e-mail blog to accomodate a closer connection between all of us believers and also for those who may be unable for one reason or other to come to church on Sunday. Sigh.
Thanks for your comment, Julie. As it happens, I’m working on a chapter of a book on preaching encouraging preachers to do just that. So who knows, I may quote you – anonymously, I promise! 🙂 Thanks, again.
That is absolutely exciting news…a book about preaching for the 21st Century! I hope you will let us know when it’s published. I will buy a copy for my Pastor! Ha, ha.
I think the connection with God and each other is what is missing from the church…it has evolved into something quite impersonal and dry. I also think that is why I hear that church attendance is falling. One person orating on Sunday while everyone else is silent is, well, boring!
And, I don’t understand why any minister would be reluctant to dialog via e-mail with the people attending his or her church. What a treasure trove of information would be obtained, grist for sermons at the very least. And, the people would have an outlet for questions, comments, how they feel, etc., and it would allow for a feeling of connection and that every part of the congregation has a voice and each of us matters.
Well..I don’t know if I’m making any sense, so I’ll shut up now.
I read your blog partly because I have had the privilege of hearing you preach and teach for almost 20 years. Your thoughtful insight and public wrestling with the Word gave me courage and confidence to pursue a seminary education and to challenge the tradition to change and reflect a new century. Your blog has introduced me to new ideas, authors and skills while reflecting on my favorite topics of music, theology and poetry.
Thanks, David, for keeping agray haired lady’s mind young.
And thank you, Linda, for your faith in a young, inexperienced pastor trying to figure out what it means to do ministry in the twenty-first century!
I read your blog for its breadth of topic, its sometimes quirky approach & its model of grace & honesty. As a (new but middle-aged) pastor, it helps me stay curious & positive when I might be tempted to get bogged down in my weekly schedule. And I’m jealous of your writing style. Thank you for the inspiration!
To be honest David, I can’t read your blog all the time- just can’t get to it daily. But I am totally impressed with the consistency of the daily content. You’ve been my go-to Lutheran guy since I found you on Working Preacher and used your Making Sense of Scripture in a class at a Lutheran church I was Interim-ing at. What’s appealing is big important concepts presented in clear simple launguage, practical connections to life (missing in much lectionary commentaries), and engaging creative ideas- and your invitations to dialogue. I AM interested in how you accomplish all the logistics/maintenance of a blog beyond the writing.
I read your blog because you help me to explore other disciplines and ideas in this world, that otherwise I’d miss or pass by. I write a weekly blog for my congregation and a host of others who receive ‘forwards’ from them. Your blogs inspire and I often invite folks who read my blog to read one of your blogs.
Thanks for your creative work.
One of my great thrills as a young preacher is going to scripture weekly on behalf of my congregation, which is looking for that good news that will make sense to them in their lives. You blog task has the same result with just a different audience: working preachers. It is a high and noble calling. Bless you for your willingness to do it!
I read your blog because I like the way you think It makes me think Also you in many instances go “outside the box” with your theories which tells me there is room for modern interpretation of the Bible
I read because of your reason #2. I’m also a curious person and you take me along on those journeys down the rabbit’s hold, not knowing where we’ll end up. Curiosity is its own kind of creativity.
I started reading last Lent when the blog was shared in our church’s bulletin. I loved the writing style & moderness of the blog.
I’ve continued reading, especially the “other daily posts” & not so much the Daily Bread (but am working on that!) as they are so thought provoking and real and have taught me so much. I was introduced to TED talks, which I LOVE. It has connected me to Brene Brown who I have come to really respect and use a lot from her work, especially the different between guilt & shame. I have shown various videos to the confirmation youth I work with including Caine’s Arcade, Honk if you Love Someone (& then had the students make their own signs, 2 of which are on my office door), the digital Christmas, and most recently Mr. Wright’s Physics class which was perfect as we talked about “The Love Hymn.”
I read the blog on a daily basis as it helps me connect to my faith in real life ways. Faith is a journey that we are all on and we continue to learn and discern on our way. I feel this blog provides much food for thought and a forum to share, celebrate, question for all.
I read for quite a few reasons:
1. I’m a busy mom of three, and having some scripture and a daily thought in one neat little package almost every day is something I can make time for in this very hectic life.
2. Having your blog show up in my in-box reminds me each day to remember to read scripture and take some time to pray. Sadly, I otherwise often forget…..
3. You make me think, and you provide a lot of thought in a positive and progressive way.
Thank you!!!
Your daily blogs are helping me take my faith from Sunday mornings into the workweek. As I travel in my faith journey, I search fro ideas and thoughts to help me grow in love for God and for my “fellow travelers”.
What a moment of great serendipity when my pastor recommended your site for Lenten devotions last year!
Thank you and please keep writing.
I read your blog for a lot of the same reasons other people have shared, the span of topics, the videos you find to share.
I also read it because of the honesty that you bring to each article. There is a humanness and a passion to what you share on a daily basis.
You understand that ministry (in any capacity) is messy.
I work in a Catholic Church in WI and I would LOVE for our Pastor to get a clue and engage with his parishioners the way you engage with your readers.
I also read your blog for the scripture devotions at the end. You’ve truly taken your readers on a journey and let them into your thought process.
I’ve got degrees in theology and scripture, but you break open the scripture in ways that just aren’t done in a classroom setting and its REAL, Its enlightening and I often find myself saying, I would’ve missed that otherwise.
Most importantly I read your blog, because this is something I’d really like to do!
I haven’t quite found the time to even begin (thinking about it for Lent) right now its easier to be the Cowardly Lion.
St. Francis once said, Preach the Gospel Always, Use Words When Neccessary.
That is what your blog does, preaches the Gospel always!
Thank You for taking the time to share your thoughts, reflections and faith with your reading community.
I love to read your blog because it has variety, depth and it is always thought provoking. Your blog helps keep me thinking about the word as well as relevant topics that deserve reflection. I also love the art and poetry. Several members of our congregation read your blog. From time to time we have the opportunity to use them as the basis for discussion. That is a great pleasure!
I wish I was living in your community so that I could enroll in your classes!
Now that I’m retired, I have the luxury of starting my day in a leisurely fashion. I start with a cup of coffee and checking my connections: email, Facebook and then your blog. I read your blog because you write in such a way that I feel that you are one of my connections…I don’t just read the words, but almost visualize you sitting at your computer writing to us. I don’t enjoy surfing the web, so you do all the work for me and I start out my day with a feeling of well-being from a poem, video or something else that you have found for me. Thanks for your efforts.