A web log (better known simply as a blog) is a recurring article that is found online instead of printed somewhere in a magazine. The most popular blogs are ones that serve a niche or have a unique voice. As a Christian leader you have both. You have a place of leadership in the lives of those God has entrusted to your care. You have a voice that is sharpened from weekly teaching. Most of all, you have a mission.
First, you have a niche. You are a pastor. As the shepherd of a flock, you have a group of people who trust you and look to you spiritual direction. They live in a world that is full of darkness, and you are the lighthouse reminding them there is more. There is a God in heaven; His word has been spoken and has authority over our lives. Your blog is a chance to bring heaven to bear on all those God has entrusted to you.
Secondly, you have a voice. Every week you open the word of God and proclaim it. Of all the gifts that have been given to the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, you have been given a speaking gift. Turning this to paper (albeit digitally) is not a sudden turn. Many speakers find a pencil to fit nicely into their hands. Others simply dictate to a program that turns their words into text.
Thirdly, you have a mission. You are called to make disciples. You love the people God has entrusted to you. You warn them of sin, guide them toward repentance, and tell them of the glory of the risen Christ. Many of us only get one chance a week to say the words. Your people go away from the Sunday gathering and far from the teaching. A regular blog allows you another chance to bring the Godward view into their world. It reminds them to look up. The world we live in is full of noise, and you have a chance to remind them of the truth.
With all this—an audience, a voice, and a mission—a regular blog makes perfect sense. Your blog could be as simple as driving home the main point of your weekly sermon. I know that I leave a number of truths on the cutting room floor every week as I prepare. So take one of those nuggets and share it.
Or maybe your blog is about following Jesus daily. You could share anecdotes or God-moments. I could tell the people how I sat down with a young Muslim man at a local coffee shop and had a great conversation about Jesus Christ, exchanged numbers, and are getting together again next week. In sharing about an episode from your daily life, you are encouraging the sheep that evangelism is possible, that sharing our faith takes time, love, and prayer.
Perhaps you share how God’s wisdom guides you through some struggles. Some pastors feel hesitant in letting the flock see their warts, but modeling is part of Christian discipleship. Paul often said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” As you reveal your shortcomings and the teachable moments, you show a path of true repentance. You show your people that you are a real person, just like them. But they also see how their real lives can be touched by the gospel in a real way.
Yet another idea. Your blog could be a Bible Study. At our church we spent 40 days reading the Bible together. So I wrote a daily blog about the day’s reading. Every morning I would write some observations about what God was teaching me, and perhaps what he wants to teach them. Our church found that the daily blog created a built-in reminder and accountability for all who wanted to bring the word into their life. Now, a daily blog might be a little much on an ongoing basis, but the principle stands.
Whatever you choose to write, as long as you glorify Christ and seek to make His name known, then you can’t lose. Your blog could be a great source of hope and life to your flock as they make their way in the world. So what are you waiting for? Get to it!
