One of the great blessings of this medium of blogging is its ability to erase geography. I have had the privilege of being involved in conversations across the English-speaking world as a Methoblogger.
But this is also one of the great temptations.
As an appointed pastor, it is nearly taboo to write about your own congregation and your own particular situation. Some like Guy Kent pull this off with charm and wit and perhaps a bit of fiction. (I’ve never been sure.) More often, when pastors write about their congregations, they are writing to them – see Adam Hamilton or Mark Beeson.
To engage in discussions on the blogosphere means to write from nowhere. I find it easy to write about Methodism in general, but it turns out I live Methodism in particular. I can write about the problems of the church in general, but must be wary of speaking of the challenges of my own congregation in specific ways.
Blogging is a kind of public loneliness. We can argue and talk and share and speculate a great deal, but it is not possible or wise to write about actual cases except at a slant and with clever disguises. It is fundamentally abstract.
But Christian life is just concrete. It is always a particular life among a particular set of people in a particular place.
For all its limits, I find it valuable to me. But in some important ways, it does not help me with the gritty problems. Indeed, at times, it is a distraction from them.
I am a part-time local pastor serving 
This love we believe to be the medicine of life, the never-failing remedy for all the evils of a disordered world, for all the miseries and vices of men. Wherever this is, there are virtue and happiness going hand in hand. There is humbleness of mind, gentleness, long-suffering, the whole image of God; and at the same time a peace that passeth all understanding, and joy unspeakable and full of glory.
I am a Methodist pastor in rural Minnesota and I have just started blogging. I hope to focus on issues relevant to rural ministry but I know that issues within the 2 churches I serve will be relevant to what I want to discuss. I know I will be walking a fine line but I pray that God’s Spirit will guide me.
John,
You say more in 257 words, and at a more significant level, than most people would in 10 times that amount of text:
“To engage in discussions on the blogosphere means to write from nowhere. I find it easy to write about Methodism in general, but it turns out I live Methodism in particular. I can write about the problems of the church in general, but must be wary of speaking of the challenges of my own congregation in specific ways…
… But Christian life is just concrete. It is always a particular life among a particular set of people in a particular place.”
That’s a statement that sounds like George Lindbeck, John Howard Yoder, and Stanley Hauerwas all rolled up into one – if any of those guys had ever spent (or would ever spend) time in the blogosphere.
Thank you for a truly remarkable post.
And thank you for reminding me that Jesus has never been found – (still to this day!) – up there in the atmosphere somewhere. He has a body here, though, and he calls that body his church.
Grace & peace,
Andrew Thompson
Gary – I wish you well.
Andrew – You are way too kind. Thank you.
I’m right with you on this, John. A number of times that I have written about my congregation expressing my feelings of frustration that most ever pastor feels occassionally, I have gone back and deleted them so as not to upset anyone. I’ve also deleted posts about the UMC in general if they were critical of something because I didn’t want the Cabinet reading a couple of posts and appointing me to Podunkville.
Blogging is a kind of public loneliness.
It sure can be. What a very profound and simple thought.
Really, ministry is a kind of public loneliness, because one is supposed to be very open, but it would be self-destructive for a pastor to be truly open.
John B – I’ve been to Podunkville. It is nicer than the rumors make it out to be. On a serious note, I appreciate your affirmation and shared experience.
John – Thank you for the praise. I’ve been struck by the “always on stage” aspect of ministry since my days in license school. The only answer I’ve gotten is that it is just the way it is.