And now for something completely different: An interview
Last month my friend Conor Scholes invited me to share some about myself on my blog with five questions of his choosing, so here we go:
What motivated you to start blogging?
I started my first blog in 2005. At that time there was a budding international network of biblical and theological blogs, most of which have all but disappeared by now. I started my own blog to get to know other bloggers better and contribute to the global discussion going on in real time, which was new to all of us back then. I closed my first blog in 2009. It was mostly personal stuff that should not have interested anyone in the first place with an occasional lengthy piece about my doctoral research.
I started up this blog shortly after answering the call to serve as a pastor. At first I thought I would share things throughout the week and perhaps include some material from my sermon preparation. What it quickly became instead is a weekly post on a biblical or theological theme with few links, fewer pictures, and no rants about whatever forgettable topic is making people angry online for that day. This is not the best approach for gaining mass readership, but it is a sustainable way of blogging for me.
What is your biggest challenge right now?
To balance contentment, patience, and growth. In my young adulthood I was always reaching for the next stage and planning the next move. Now that I am finally settled, I often find myself restless, especially during the winters we get on the northern plains that seem to take up half the year. My restlessness can make me impatient with the people I serve as pastor, tying my love for them to what I perceive as their performance in the church or the lack thereof. It is an unfair approach to people and poisonous to Christian ministry.
If you could have a conversation with one person, who would it be?
My Dad. Ever since he died in early 2012 I have thought of countless things I would want to ask him.
What is your biggest goal for the next year?
Our family has two big goals: adding a child to our family through adoption and raising enough funds to visit Kenya, where my wife grew up and my in-laws still live. If you would like to help financially with our second goal, please check out http://www.gofundme.com/bnmjones.
If you could share one thing with your readers, what would it be?
Thanks. There are hundreds of helpful resources online, too many to keep up with, so I appreciate the time you take to consider what I write.
What motivated you to start blogging?
I started my first blog in 2005. At that time there was a budding international network of biblical and theological blogs, most of which have all but disappeared by now. I started my own blog to get to know other bloggers better and contribute to the global discussion going on in real time, which was new to all of us back then. I closed my first blog in 2009. It was mostly personal stuff that should not have interested anyone in the first place with an occasional lengthy piece about my doctoral research.
I started up this blog shortly after answering the call to serve as a pastor. At first I thought I would share things throughout the week and perhaps include some material from my sermon preparation. What it quickly became instead is a weekly post on a biblical or theological theme with few links, fewer pictures, and no rants about whatever forgettable topic is making people angry online for that day. This is not the best approach for gaining mass readership, but it is a sustainable way of blogging for me.
What is your biggest challenge right now?
To balance contentment, patience, and growth. In my young adulthood I was always reaching for the next stage and planning the next move. Now that I am finally settled, I often find myself restless, especially during the winters we get on the northern plains that seem to take up half the year. My restlessness can make me impatient with the people I serve as pastor, tying my love for them to what I perceive as their performance in the church or the lack thereof. It is an unfair approach to people and poisonous to Christian ministry.
If you could have a conversation with one person, who would it be?
My Dad. Ever since he died in early 2012 I have thought of countless things I would want to ask him.
What is your biggest goal for the next year?
Our family has two big goals: adding a child to our family through adoption and raising enough funds to visit Kenya, where my wife grew up and my in-laws still live. If you would like to help financially with our second goal, please check out http://www.gofundme.com/bnmjones.
If you could share one thing with your readers, what would it be?
Thanks. There are hundreds of helpful resources online, too many to keep up with, so I appreciate the time you take to consider what I write.
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