I began “blogging” back in 2006 or 2007 while pastoring my first church in Clarksdale, Mississippi. In those days, the concept was brand new and I was exploring its value in my own attempt at ministry. At that time, my blogging focused on extended Bible study. I attempted to explain the text and then apply it to our own culture and situations. (If I remember correctly, my readers wanted to hear more about the Minor Prophets, so they were my focus.) So, I primarily used the blog as a tool for further study.
When I transitioned to my next pastorate, blogs were becoming lightning rods for churches and pastors. Any grievance, regardless of how petty, exploded into life or death situations through the comment sections of blogs. My advisors at my second church warned against the use of a blog, and so I dropped it. I have not blogged (although I read several daily) since 2008. The potential for trouble outweighed the possible good, at least in my mind.
In 2013, I ran across a
piece (a blog posting no less)
from Thom Rainer, CEO of Lifeway. Dr. Rainer has proven to be a source of useful information regarding churches and pastoring. In his blog, he asserted seven reasons a pastor ought to blog. Of the seven, the one that grabbed my attention was the opportunity to advance “visionary matters.”
Vision for a church is vital. The congregation must know where they are going – and why – so they can join in the journey. It’s extremely difficult to communicate vision adequately without detracting from each Lord’s Day worship, so a blog allows the pastor to lay out the vision through the week. As we proceed together, you can expect a “vision” post, a devotional post, and a miscellaneous post each week. (I may even write a post on why I’m a defender of the Oxford comma!)
It is for these reasons that I write. I desire you to get to know me, understand the things I wrestle with as I lead, and perhaps catch a glimpse where and how God is leading First Baptist Concord to love Him and love our neighbors. I have two prayers as I begin this endeavor: I pray that I can communicate often and well through this medium, and I pray you’ll read it and be blessed.
May God bless you as you walk with Him!
In Him,
