Blogging, Why Bother?

I've considered starting a blog a couple times before but always thought better of it.  I'm usually pretty slow to jump on bandwagons.  What do I have to say that anyone should take time to read it?  Blogs have always seemed rather arrogant to me.  And would I even keep it up?

Then a blog by Abraham Piper got me thinking about it again.  It was titled, "6 Reasons Pastors Should Blog."  You can read it at:

 http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1156_6_reasons_pastors_should_blog/

Here are some of his reasons and my comments:

1. Blog to write.  I enjoy writing.  Authors everywhere say the more you write, the better you get.  So even if no one ever reads it, hopefully the practice will help me.
2. Blog to teach.  Teaching is an important part of pastoring, yet I only have a half hour a week to teach the whole church.  It's appealing to think I could do a little more teaching through a blog.
3. Blog to recommend.  Part of me says recommending is advertising.  Not something I'm comfortable with from the pulpit, but you may be encouraged, informed, or moved by books, websites, organizations, activities, etc., that I've found helpful.  A blog could make a good forum.
4. Blog to interact.  Blogging is most effective when your interest is piqued enough to respond and interact.  I hope you will.  An added bonus is that you can choose a good time for you.
5. Blog to develop an eye for what is meaningful.  This has to do with learning to choose topics that are worth writing about.  "Meaningful" is often in the eye of the beholder, but if practice helps, why not?
6. Blog to be known.  Piper sees this as the greatest benefit.  It may also be the most frightening.  Not because I'm afraid to share myself, but because I'm afraid you won't care.  Maybe you do, maybe you don't.  I'll have to leave that up to you.

So here we go.  You can expect some posts along those lines.  It won't be daily.  I'll be doing great if I write two or three a week.  Much of it will be along spiritual lines, but I also hope to include some humor and some other areas of interest.  You're welcome to come along for the ride.  

And if you have been inspired to start your own blog, let me know!  I'd love to check it out.

Dave