The Reluctant Blogger

By: Becky Youngblood On 8/3/2011

I readily confess that the prospect of blogging raises my anxiety level, thus undermining my commitment to maintaining a non-anxious presence in this world (as inspired by the late Edwin Friedman’s work on leadership*). 

 
Anxiety #1 = What do I have to say that matters to anybody out there? 
 
Anxiety #2 = Who has time to read blogs anyway, so why should I spend time writing one? 
 
Anxiety #3 = The blogs I enjoy and actually look at now and then have gorgeous artwork or photography and stunning, often original, poetry; and I don’t think I can pull that off here (so why don’t I just point people to the beautiful places?). 
 
When anxiety rises, Rabbi Friedman’s counsel is always to do two things:
 
                1. Define self, and
                2. Stay connected
 
So…maybe blogging contributes to both of those movements. Something to think about…. 
 
As one who preached regularly for a lot of years, I know this about myself: I don’t have much to say without a text as a starting point (thank you, Candler School of Theology, for teaching me well and forming my preaching in this way). Perhaps that’s why I like the posts that begin with an image or a poem—a text. And perhaps the good rabbi of self-differentiation is providing me with the text I need. Define self. Stay connected. I can do that.
 
In fact, I was recently gifted with a new text in the work of Stephen Bryant, who spent part of last week here in Mississippi leading our Shepherd’s Sabbath. Stephen has been integral in the development of the “Companions in Christ” series and is currently the staff person forDevelopment of International Resources and Initiatives with the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church.
 
The heart of his work is congregational spirituality and he offers a framework for a God-centered way of ordering the life of the church. Isn’t the church God-centered by definition? Sometimes, yes. Often, no. Since the Garden of Eden, we humans have specialized in putting ourselves in God’s place (thus setting up what I call “original anxiety”—trying to be something--or Someone--we’re not). Becoming the church God longs for remains our calling. It requires our keen and persistent attention.
 
What does this more excellent way look like? To pique your interest (I think blogs aren’t supposed to be long, right?), here are the basic movements Stephen outlines. His unpublished document is called “The Five-Fold Path.” More on this later….
 
Pathway 1: Presence. A shift of focus from ourselves and what we make happen to God’s presence and promise
 
Pathway 2: Practice. A shift of focus from activity to spiritual practice
 
Pathway 3: Pathways.  A shift of focus from membership and program to the journey toward Christian maturity
 
Pathway 4: Power. A shift of focus from limited resources to reliance on God’s abundance
 
Pathway 5: Pilgrimage. A shift of focus from managing church activity and function to spiritual leadership
 
Where is your focus? Your congregation’s? What shifts are you being called to make? What shifts do you sense have already begun?
 
*Rabbi Edwin Friedman’s work includes Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue and Friedman’s Fables.
 

Comments

1. LaRue Owen wrote on 8/4/2011 11:16:34 AM
Wow! Thanks, Becky! I look forward to reading your blog!
2. Elise Eslinger wrote on 8/4/2011 11:20:29 AM
Worthy, Becky, worthy...thank you for the blog-risk. Steve's invitation is so needed in the midst of the pervasive anxiety in our denominations, congregations, and leader---longing, yet scrambling and fearful, for effectiveness in ministry.
3. Linda Douty wrote on 8/4/2011 11:28:12 AM
Becky - Kudos to you for having the courage to join the blogging world. My publishers tell me I need to do something similar, but I prefer to read your wise words instead! Keep it up. You have much to share.
4. Chris Young wrote on 8/4/2011 12:03:08 PM
Excellent! I look forward to reading more. Stephen Bryant was great,and I am very thankful for Shepherd's Sabbath.
5. Lynette Little wrote on 8/4/2011 4:25:40 PM
A perceptive and powerful set of Ps! Very encouraging to me, as it is often challenging to describe and critique our assumptions. Thanks for sharing, Becky. And good on the differentiate and connect as well. :)
6. Kathy Price wrote on 8/4/2011 7:05:27 PM
In our media saturated world, so many people will only find connection through the images and words we present, Becky. Thank you for your gift to the world of techno-messages...I for one find it is an enlightening and satisfying one. Blessings, Kathy
7. Guss Shelly wrote on 8/4/2011 9:05:17 PM
Looked good to me. Sounded good in my head when I read it!! Do more of this. I write RAMBLINGS--not a blog but just things that impress me. they are found at www.gussramblings.com thanks to Bob Smith!
8. Belinda Rives wrote on 8/5/2011 3:56:46 PM
Ah, Becky, what a novel idea...humble blogging! Thanks for your courage. I needed to read this as I struggle to lead the faithful in the small rural churches. Everywhere they turn, they hear a message of scarcity...not enough people, not enough money, too many "old" folks... Thanks for the encouragement to keep focused on the life with God! Be blessed!
9. Todd Watson wrote on 8/6/2011 8:49:46 AM
Becky, this is great. Keep up the good work, and you have no apology to make regarding blogging!
10. Brad Corban wrote on 8/9/2011 12:43:56 PM
Many thanks, Becky, for these words. Keep it up, sync your blog with facebook (so that your blogs are posted to your facebook page), and people will enjoy your images and words of wisdom. Peace
11. Emma Connolly wrote on 8/9/2011 3:39:37 PM
Becky, don't worry about what you are going to say on your blog ... you spiritual balance comes through loud and clear. I look forward to more. So happy you are doing this ...