I’ve touched on this theme a lot lately, but I think I want to hammer it home with one more post. There’s been a lot written in the past year or two aimed at helping pastors build a “platform,” a place of prominence, respect, and/or visibility from which they can address the world at large.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with this: the Church needs more of its leaders to be firmly planted in local bodies. As a public school teacher, nothing makes me more frustrated than hearing the opinions of “education experts” who haven’t taught in decades or—worse—have never taught! So, in that instance, I think it’s crucial that “Christian leaders” be actually be leading and serving in a local body.
What’s Wrong With “Celebrity Pastoral Blogging”
Not everyone is called to lead in a national sense, and yet I feel like there is a major push in our culture for pastors to be constantly swinging for the fences when that’s not necessarily the best way to look at it. For one, it’s not what pastors are hired for! I’ve never heard of a church hiring a pastor for the purpose of that pastor becoming a national leader.
Secondly, it feels—and it might just be me—a tad bit un-Christlike. Never once did Jesus say, in His restoration of Peter, “Build a platform from which you can then feed My sheep.” Now, I’m not against pastors having platforms. In fact, I would argue that they have one by the very nature of their position.
The Church: The True Platform of Every Pastor
Let’s make this very simple: if the pastor truly wants to “pastor,” he or she must build the church. You won’t be a successful pastor if your flock is in chaos, no matter how good your blog posts might be. Build the your church; you stand upon the shoulders of your congregation when people weigh your success.
That being said, if you want or feel called to blog, that’s great! But let’s focus on blogging for our church, encouraging, teaching, and challenging them. If your people are blessed by what your write (or record) and they share it with their friends and/or social networks, then that’s great! You’re blessing and encouraging others, which may or may not build your online platform. Woohoo!
As I’ve stated previously, I’ve stop blogging for myself primarily. I’m keeping both domains, and I might post one or two post here and there. However, I feel like my time is best spent blogging for my church and ChurchMag. It’s not that I don’t want to blog on my personal sites, but I don’t have that time. Instead, by focussing my efforts, I feel like I’ll actually be effective, first at my church and secondly here, helping other pastors and church techs advance the Kingdom.
Good pastors don’t toil in secret, even if no one visits their blog. God sees all your efforts and rewards it. If you’re blogging for your church, if you’re producing content to help your flock grow closer to the Good Shepherd, then they will benefit, you will benefit, and God will be glorified. And that’s the goal.
Are you a pastor-blogger? What’s your thoughts on the pull for pastors to be “big time bloggers”?
Eric Dye says
I love your insight and thoughts about this subject. You’ve really got me thinking!