1. You’re not as good as people say you are. I heard Adrian Rogers say one time, “compliments are like perfume, you can smell them, just don’t drink them.”
2. You’re not as bad as people say you are. I imagine that criticism is like perfume as well, smell it, see if there’s any validity, repent if needed, just don’t drink it.
3. You will never please everyone. It seems that on almost every post, I encourage someone while discouraging someone else. The bottom line is that everyone is different; and readers bring everything about them: their vocabulary, personal history, failures, triumphs, theology, emotions, etc. to the article with them. You cannot change someone’s presuppositions or life experiences. If someone has a preconveived view of you or the subject you’re discussing, then you can do little to change his or her view, because the sad reality is that there are few honest readers in the world today; and the Christian world may be even worse. Everyone is concerned with “what does this article mean to me” instead of what the article meant to you, the author. Honest readers care about authorial intent alone; however, good writers try to know their audience enough to write clearly so there will be little question about what is meant (I fail at this often).
4. You’ll develop tougher skin. The more I write, the more I realize that those who I strongly care about aren’t concerned much about my writings. It’s the people that I’ve never met that seem to benefit the most. Occasionally I’ll receive a compliment from someone I know personally; but, most of my compliments come from other corners of the Internet. Unfortunately, I’m an oddball in the immediate ministry circles I associate with, and the circles I’ve associated with my entire life. I’m also an oddball in my family. For the record, I don’t receive negative comments either; these people that I’m close with just don’t read what I write. In this area, my reality may not be your reality.
5. Your thoughts about certain issues are needed. Almost monthly, I get an email from a pastor asking advice about a specific issue or situation I have written about. Why are they coming to me? I suppose because they need someone anonymous to talk with. Pastors are often lonely people because they don’t want to burden their families, they don’t want to disappoint the “super-Christian” perception their church has of them, and they don’t trust the other pastors in their area enough to talk with them. This reality is sad, but is often true. If for this reason alone, biblical voices are needed in the blogosphere.
6. It’s ok to be an “oddball” in the blogosphere. The roots that I have in rural Church of God of Prophecy life and SBC life are starkly different than the Southern Baptist Pastor I am today. I am a weirdo everywhere I go, everywhere I serve. Plus, I’m young; which is a double-whammy in sbc life. I don’t know how many conversations I’ve had with older pastors that didn’t care one iota about my thoughts, but they sure thought I needed to hear what they thought. Of course, I do need to hear their thoughts, but they need to hear mine as well. What I’m saying is this: few pastors that are older than me view me as a peer, even though I’ve been in ministry for almost 11 years now. I hope this isn’t the experience of other young pastors in the sbc; but, it’s unfortunately been my experience. In the blogging world however, there’s no young face saying the things I write; so, I’m more of a peer here than I am in real life.
7. It will make you a better communicator. It is difficult to communicate verbally using the whole body as you preach, but it is really difficult to communicate through writing alone. Blogging will make you a better preacher, because if you can communicate effectively in written form, preaching should be a piece of cake. Plus, you get free criticism from those who disagree; and healthy debate from those willing to engage.
8. You will grow as a believer. Whenever I first started blogging, I was starkly different theologically than I am now. Blogging has helped me cut my theological teeth on the thoughts and responses of others as they brought Scripture to bear on my articles. Thus, as the Scriptures are studied and learned, the Holy Spirit takes this absolute truth, and conforms you to the Image of Christ.
What are your thoughts?
Chris Roberts (75)
Dave Miller (63)
Bob Hadley (60)
Debbie Kaufman (49)
dr. james willingham (48)
Les (41)
Christiane (30)
cb scott (29)
Bill Mac (27)
Rick Patrick (27)
Jared,
Very well said. Your #3, “You will never please everyone,” hits the nail on the head. Your observation about changing someone else’s mind is very astute. When I write, I don’t write to try to please my critics or theologicial opponents, because, let’s face it, no matter how well you or I or another blogger may argue a point, most folks will not accept our arguments as valid. That goes for us not accepting others arguments as well. Even those areas where we may disagree, I always appreciate how you write and your unique style. Have a great day and God bless,
Howell
Howell, thank you brother. I appreciate your kindness. I appreciate your writing and comments; you often succeed in getting your point across without offending your readers… which is unfortunately something I need to learn. In other words, you’re better at writing without offence than I am. I hope I’m learning though.
Jared,
Your number 4 is certainly true… What I think we have to watch out for is also developing a harder heart.
Matt, great point. We want to have tough skin, but not to the point of being hard-hearted toward biblical correction.
Well said…Blogging leads to broader perspective as we consider the various angles raised.
Jared,
Three things. First of all, an apology for blasting you and not the post concerning Calvinism.
Secondly, I agree with you on point number 3 but I would take it a step further and say that when truth is written it will impact some. Not all, but some. As you noted you cannot control the circumstances which have caused people to think and act the way they do. Thus preempting your ability to help them see things from your point of view. In a blog post of 1500 words or so that is something difficult to contend with.
Lastly on the issue of peers I would just say this. You do not appear to be one of the young guys who is standing on a stool hollering, “Look at me, look at me, I’m special,” so this doesn’t apply to you but does apply to the peer issue. I served for 5 years in the retail world and was somewhat successful with the company I worked with. Because the “numbers” were there I was promoted fairly quickly and to some degree had the ear of my supervisors, etc. I thought it was because I was special, until I became a regional supervisor as well. I quickly learned that I had people working under me who had great ideas and methods just like I had and yet they weren’t seen as being as successful. Why? Numbers. Unfortunately the SBC is not far from this mindset. Many of the prior generation of pastors look at success as being Johnny Hunt, Bobby Welch and others. The key for me was learning to look at each manager in their individual store and ask whether or not they were doing well in the situation they were placed, instead of looking at simple numbers as defining their success.
Keep on keeping on. Who knows you may convert me back to Calvinism
Daniel, apology accepted.
I agree as well about the numbers issue. I’m just not impressed with numbers; unless it’s brought about through orthodoxy. Like Capitol Hill Baptist Church; I’m impressed with them; and other churches like them. But, if a pastor uses various gimmicks, few people understand the gospel, etc., then I’m not impressed in the least.
All the churches I’ve served have had problems before I got there. My ministry has mainly been to calm the storm, and encourage unity. I hope I’m glorifying God in my endeavors.
Come back to the dark side!
Are you sure you’re talking about blogging? This sounds like a list of things learned in ministry.
Good point. I no longer consider compliments or insults worth much. I know what I believe and how I arrived at it. I’ve thought it through. I know how I try to live and need no approval. It seems everyone else is pretty much the same way.
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