I’ve written over 250 posts on this blog since June 2010. And, as I’ve discovered, blogging consistently takes time, effort and energy. So why do I do it? Why do I blog?
Well, what I have discovered in teaching youth and children every week in various venues is that using media is important. There is hardly never a time that I am not showing a video or pictures or graphics on the big screen. I am a media collector… particularly when it comes to Bible stories. I am always looking for great ways to help the students “see” (possibly in a different way) a particular story and media generally helps broaden the exposure and communicate using a variety of perspectives (not just mine). I am amazed that what might take me 15 minutes to communicate and navigate (i.e. a Bible story), a 3:00 minute video can do equally as well. I am not advocating just using media all the time to teach. I am advocating using media to augment your teaching. For better or worse, the students I regularly teach are constantly being shaped and interacting with media. So it is necessary (for me at least) to stay current and constantly fresh in regard to connecting the timeless truths and storyline of Scripture to our current world today (in wisdom of course).
That is one of the reasons why I blog. Most of the media that I come across is found (and linkable) online. As I curate media across the web, I wanted to be able to keep track (and share) the media and such that I come across. A blog is a great way to “post” and “categorize” and “search” these things.
Another reason is exposure. As a children and youth pastor, father/parent, and husband (and all-around good guy!) I come across lots of stories and thoughts related to those arenas of life. Having an online space to share those thoughts and stories that might be relevant to people is helpful. I’ve tried email newsletters, but I don’t like the idea of “invading” people’s inboxes on a consistent basis. This blog is a vehicle to write articles, thoughts, and stories and if people find them helpful then they will come back to this space on their own. There are also a lot of great content out there on the web and other blogs that I love to share with the growing audience on this blog. Again, if people find this helpful, great. It is just another easy way for me to keep track of all the articles and thoughts I write as well as all the ones I find across the internet.
So that’s about it. That’s why I blog. I’m trying to keep it simple. As all things go sometimes, it might grow into more things (as I, personally and professionally, grow into more things) over time. We’ll just have to see, won’t we?
In the meantime, I’m working on some more blog posts about parenting… and as I head into Kids Camp 2011 this next week, I’m sure a few thoughts and posts will come from a week spent with 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students!
Seth Godin & Tom Peters on Blogging (YouTube Link)
