I figured it would be good to establish why I finally decided to create a blog. The first thing to understand is why I have been so hesitant to even start blogging to begin with. There is a commercial that came out a few years ago, that I absolutely abhorred. It featured a professor telling his writing class the minute likelihood of any of them ever being published. To which a student stood and began to declare that with online publishing, we can all become published authors and blah, blah, blah. What bothered me was the question of whether everyone is worthy of becoming a published author. I never want to perpetuate the mindless drivel that pollutes much of the internet, prattling on about the inane details of their bland lives, boring everyone into a stupor. Please don't misunderstand me. I have many friends and family members whose blogs I visit regularly, and thoroughly enjoy. But that is because they are good writers, and people whose lives are connected to mine.
So why create a blog if I have such disdain for much of the blogging community? Over the past few months, I have felt a growing need to express myself in new ways, to create new avenues of discussion, and a safe place to ask questions. I have been in ministry, paid and volunteer, for more than 10 years now and have discovered the value of questions. So often we try to teach by telling people what they should think or know, but as I have watched people grow (or not) over the last 10 years, the biggest influence I see is questions. The students who ask questions grow. Those who don't often get stuck and fall away. So I wanted to create a blog where I can share observations of life, God, ministry, etc. and ask questions. The questions may not have answers, but I am willing to let them, as long as the question is out there and being pondered.
Now, for the readers, I have a simple request. If you have any feedback, please give it. Let me know if you think I am way off base, or if you agree, or if you have more questions. Also, I never want this blog to become a rant. I despise the blogs that just complain about the world and have no ideas how things can be better. There is no benefit to railing against something with no positive input. It just makes people angry. So please be sure to keep me accountable to my own standard and warn me if I ever have a rant post.
Finally, I hope my writing spurs some thoughts and ideas that are new and interesting. My wish is that through my words and questions, I can encourage others to see things they have never seen before. Enjoy!
