5 Questions with Dr. Alvin Reid of Southeastern Seminary
By
Dr. Alvin Reid is the professor of evangelism at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He blogs at Books, Culture and the Gospel. I haven’t met Dr. Reid in person, but I take him for a man of intense passion for reaching the lost … his life’s work and these words demonstrate a fraction of that.
Here’s his answers:
1. Why (or how) did you start blogging?
I spend my life mostly with young adults — young men and women preparing for ministry, lots of youth through speaking, etc. And I have two teenagers in the house. So, I have tried to stay a little savvy on how people do relationships, from IMs when AOL hit the world, to starting a serious website a few years back, to using a smartphone now. So, as blogging became another way to communicate, I jumped in. It actually had nothing to do with all the SBC blogging, but came out of my kids’ Xangas.
2. What subject do you post most about?
I intentionally don’t deal with a lot of issues that are more politically charged. I prefer dealing with those with students in the real world. I prefer focusing on what seems pretty rare — dealing with culture as it pertains especially to sharing the gospel with a lost world. Seems to me there is not a lot about that. It is also just a place to share some personal info, thoughts, etc. I try not to take it too seriously in the blogosphere.
3. What are your favorite blog tools?
I have no idea what you are talking about. I don’t spend much time trying to be techno-savvy.
4. How often do you post?
About once a week or so. I have a life and amazing students, so during the semester I just don’t think this is worth too much effort personally. God has given me more influence than I deserve on terra firma, so I am not trying to become the next blog-guru. So I try to throw something out there regularly, but don’t have time to do substantive posts too often during the school year.
5. What one piece of advice would you give for prospective blogging pastors?
Put a timer beside your PC and be aware how much time you really spend here. All kidding aside about blogging too much and soul winning not enough, I would bet (if I gambled) that guys who are fascinated with blogging are too addicted to it. I honestly spend more time on Facebook than blogging, because that is another way to be connected to my students. And of course some of them say I am addicted to Facebook!
[ Read all the previous posts in the "Blogging 101 for Pastors" series ]
***
If you enjoyed this post, Subscribe to Cory Miller’s Church Communications Pro email newsletter.
