H. B. London is the director of Focus on the Family’s “Pastoral Ministries” division. They offer a great many helps for pastors and others. I have a continuing link to their webpage in the “Recommended Sites” area in the right-hand column.

One of the best things that H. B. does is publish a weekly email briefing for pastors. To see the latest edition, click here. This week, he offers some excellent comments about blogging & the role of the pastor (how they may or may not agree). (H. B. posts to his blog at http://www.hblondon.org/.) I especially like the following comment in the current briefing:

The one thing I notice about blogs is that people use them a great deal to vent, expose, criticize or get even. I’m not sure I’m cut out for that kind of thing. I’m a pastor. My role is to be peaceful, forgiving — even, at times, overlooking something that should be addressed.

I agree TOTALLY! I do not have time for bickering and backbiting. I read quite a few blogs. The ones that I return to are those which provide positive, encouraging and/or enlightening information. Whether I am a pastor, policeman, politician or photographer, I ought to be looking for good things to say.

I once read a story (I have forgotten where I found it) about a Christian woman who had tried many times to get her unsaved husband to go to church with her but always, the answer was “No.” One Easter, her husband decided to go with her but the pastor preached on hell and the husband left in the middle of his message. Later, he told his wife that he would never go back! After some time, the husband just showed up (20 minutes late) to a revival meeting. Again, the minister’s subject was, “HELL.” After just a few minutes of listening to the evangelist, the husband ran down to the altar and gave his life to Jesus! After church, the wife asked about the difference between this service and the one years before – since they were both on the topic of hell. “Well, this preacher told me how to avoid going there. The other one talked like he was glad I was going!”

Ephesians 4:15 says we are to speak the truth – but in love. That is good advice for pastors & bloggers! Check Stan Toler’s comments (& mine) in the previous post on this site.

H. B. London – Good work! I will be checking your blog frequently!!