[ Read all the previous posts in the Blogging 101 for Pastors series, including 5 Questions responders. ]

Alan Nelson is executive editor of Rev! Magagzine. He blogs at Rev's Unplugged. Here's his answers:

1. Why (or how) did you start blogging?

To be honest, when I came to work for Group [Publishing], the CEO suggested we begin a blog as part of Rev! Magazine. I'd read a couple blogs, but hadn't really done it myself.

2. What subject do you post most about?

Most of the topics we discuss have to do with current events or leadership, in the context of pastors and the local church. My goal is to begin conversations among pastors because there are so many different perspectives that can hone our thinking and make us more effective. It's a replacement for those late nite breeze shooting talks we used to have in college and seminary that we tend to lose over the years.

3. What are your favorite blog tools?

I'm a neophyte; more of my own thoughts re: current events, my thinking or reading, or a conversation that I take public.

4. How often do you post?

To be honest, a good blog is active, but I'm often consumed with e-mails, tasks, writing, and other activities. Rev! doesn't have a lot of readers who blog, perhaps because of their life passage, being consumed with pastoral and family activities that make blogging seem like a lesser priority.

5. What one piece of advice would you give for prospective blogging pastors?

I think you need to discern the purpose of your blog. Some use it as a public diary, others a devotional, and still others a place to grind their axe. The purpose of Rev! Unplugged is to get pastors to discuss things and interact with each other. We've recently invited a group of 6 people to rotate blogs so that we have 6 different perspectives on a rotating basis. We want to deal with the honest and raw issues of ministry, so we're trying to help the new bloggers to be less devotional and pastoral, and more catalyst and change agent.

[ Read all the previous posts in this series ]


***

If you enjoyed this post, Subscribe to Cory Miller's Church Communications Pro email newsletter.