Five Reasons I Blog

A few years back I read an article on Desiring God entitled 6 Reasons Pastor’s Should Blog. It encourages pastors to blog so they are able to encourage their flock, recommend books/articles, and pen their thoughts so that others may read. So I, as a 21 year old (has it really been that long?!), started this blog as a small attempt to write, think, and read.

As I reflect on why I started to blog to where it is now, I can see how my blog has morphed as I have  grown. Though I am by no means a high traffic blogger, nor a scholar par-excellence, I do enjoy writing. So here are some brief reasons why I enjoy blogging.

1. Encouragement

My primary purpose is to encourage others with things I have read, thought, or experienced during the day. I often do not, though I sometime desire, to write on controversial topics. Since plenty bloggers do so, I will let them continue. I also do not write on hot topic news issues because I feel un-educated in that area. I have been told to stick with what I know and feel comfortable with, so I have tried to do so. Lately I have simply provided sentences that I underline in a book or find interesting in another blog. I feel in this way I can encourage and minister to someone each day.

2. Writing

Blogging gives me the opportunity to write my own thoughts and share them with whoever decides to read. This, in fact, has made me a better writer, thinker, and analyzer.

3. Recommend Sources

I try to read a lot and I enjoy sharing with others what I am currently reading, what preaching book has been the most effective, and so on. This site allows me to do so with a much broader audience. I have posted numerous book reviews here and they have been well received, and some recommended. I have listed a large amount of books that I consider must-reads and I try to keep this list as updated as possible.

4. Mini-ETS

While enrolled at Louisiana College our Old Testament professor, Dr. Michael Shepherd, would have students present their research papers and take questions. I always joked with my friends that it was a mini-ETS session. I believe that I have continued this joke through my blog. As often as I can, I post my research papers here and will typically divide it into so many parts depending on length and content. This has provided beneficial discussion between other friends anyone who would like to read.

5. A Ministry

I view my blog as a ministry. Since I currently do not pastor a church or serve in a vocational minister position, I attempt to blog with the thought of shepherding people in mind. I pray that the Lord has used it for his glory.

These are just five measly reasons to blog and I encourage you to do the same. Once you get the hang of it and find your niche, it will be beneficial to you and others. Your blog is not your own, but in another sense it is. Do with it what you desire, but remember to honor Christ while doing so. Why not start today?

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