Why leaders should blog

Blogs can be beneficial to ministry, but crucial to the leader. Blogging is an incredible way to reach, teach, educate and motivate people easier than ever before. As a pastor, teacher or ministry leader, blogging is a great way for you to reach your congregation or anyone in your realm of influence to influence them to walk closer to God.
Recently, I read a post by John Piper titled '6 Reasons Pastors Should Blog'. You can check out the full post in the link.
Now, a pastor can be a great leader and not keep a blog, but I agree with Piper that blogging can be an incredibly effective way to reach people.
So, here we go, a condensed version of Piper's post along with some added input:
Reason #1: - To Write
Piper says it well: "If you’re a pastor, you probably already know the value writing has for thinking. Through writing, you delve into new ideas and new insights. If you strive to write well, you will at the same time be striving to think well."
Writing is a spiritual activity and it is a perfect outlet for a clouded soul. When you're formulating your thoughts, lessons, sermons, etc. Write! Write! Write! There is also no better way to share your thoughts and writing than through your blog.
Reason #2: - To Teach
I read one specific blog just as methodically as I drink my morning coffee. The reason this certain pastor's blog has made such an impact on me is that, on average, his posts are intentional, relevant, concise and powerful. Every time, he's on target. It's refreshing. He doesn't write a book or preach a sermon, but he understands in a mighty way the power of a blog post. It teaches his people, and it reaches ministers around the world and he does it with impact. If your curious, now that I've built up curiousity, it's Pastor Steven Furtick out of Charlotte, NC. Blogs allow you to teach daily, your pulpit only gives that opportunity weekly.
Reason #3: To Recommend
Piper writes about how pastor's can use blogs to recommend in very real ways to their people. "People want to know that their pastor knows he is an ordinary, imperfect human being." Recommend everything. From your favorite new restaurant in town, the best cafe to buy a cup of coffee, or the newest book you've read. This last one has been very important to me as I have grown in my own learning and theology, the books that other pastors have under their 'recommended reading' has greatly encouraged me to pick up a book that I may have never come across.
Reason #4: To Interact -
It's highly likely that if you've been involved in ministry on a staff level, than you have felt the intense pressure under the idealistic image people have of church staff. Blogs are a great way to, in a healthy way, break down some of the unnecessary barriers between a church leader and his people.
Reason #5: - To develop an eye for the meaningful
Just gonna let Piper take this one, he pretty much blows it up. "For good or ill, most committed bloggers live with the constant question in their mind: Is this bloggable? This could become a neurosis, but I’ll put a positive spin on it: It nurtures a habit of looking for insight and wisdom and value in every situation, no matter how mundane.
If you live life looking for what is worthwhile in every little thing, you will see more of what God has to teach you. And the more he teaches you, the more you can teach others. As you begin to be inspired and to collect ideas, you will find that the new things you’ve seen and learned enrich far more of your life than just your blog. "
Reason #6: - To Be known
As a leader, this is crucial. People will naturally construct a false (partially) idea of who you are as a person. It happens because they ONLY hear you preach and teach, and if you're pastor of a church of 200+, then most of your congregation gets to spend little one-on-one time with you. This is a great opportunity to share with your people who you are. I have a tendency to say I don't have time, but really, blogging regularly keeps me fresh and it excites me to learn as I write. Connecting with the people within your realm of influence on a regular basis is an exciting opportunity...take it!
Want to read some great blogs, check out my list. Scroll down. Bottom right. Enjoy.