The Nature of Blogging

At Mike's prompting, I read Tim Challies' post on The Nature of Blogging, which is a helpful pondering on this unique mode of communication. He suggests that blogging is a middle ground between a book, which carries a certain weight of having been carefully considered and edited, and a personal conversation, in which there is an active relationship. I think he has modeled well speaking only what is helpful for building others up.

In addition to what was mentioned there, I think blogging offers some other unique opportunities:

• to pursue a thread or line of serious thought with others, not bound by a particular time or place.
  
• to be critiqued and held accountable for something not just said, but written.
• to learn from a diverse group of people in conversation.
• to gain wisdom in community, as we venture statements, listen to one another, and refine our understandings in order to act.
• to share joys with others in a way that is not confined to the two persons being present at the same time.

I consider all of these rich privileges, and relish the opportunity to express, to listen, and to learn. (So feel free to comment!)