2013 was a good year from Pastor Dave Online. Not only did a number of blog posts get picked up by other sites and shared by established and recognized leaders in the Evangelical world, but I gained a number of new readers. It was a joy to be able to expand my readership and I am grateful for all who regularly read this blog.
The primary goal of Pastor Dave Online is to help myself formulate clear and cogent, theological thoughts. I lack the smarts to formulate my thoughts clearly without the aid of writing things out. Writing is probably the best way that I can double-check my own work and make sure that I am thinking carefully and Biblically about an idea. I choose to write on a blog because it is also a way to further help the people I disciple. I want to help others think carefully and Biblically about a variety of subjects as well and blogging is one of the ways that I can do just that. So, here at Pastor Dave Online I regularly review books, dissect theology and Scripture, and occasionally interview a more prominent theologian whose voice others would benefit hearing. You can expect much of the same in 2014 with a few additional surprises.
Here’s where Pastor Dave Online is going in 2014:
1. Researching Discipleship
I was thrilled to be invited to participate in a major theological research project with some others on the subject of Discipleship. This will be part of my year-long study project in 2014. I will be reading a number of important books, surveying the Scriptures, and formulating ideas and thoughts with my research partners that will be developed into individual blogs.
2. More Interviews
I always look forward to the opportunity to engage with some credible, established, and recognized theologians on a variety of subjects. Last year I thoroughly enjoyed talking with Greg Thornbury about Scripture and culture and received a lot of feedback on that interview series. I also was blessed to get to know and hear from Trillia Newbell, whose writing has been a delight to me. This year I am looking forward to more similar interviews with a variety of godly men and women. I’ve already got a few lined-up.
3. Creative Theology Series
This is a series I am really geeked to start. One of my biggest frustrations is that theological conversations can quickly become dominated by the mundane restatements of old models, illustrations, and explanations. Doctrine should be regularly explored with fresh eyes and communicated in engaging ways. This is not a call to abandon orthodoxy, or to question truth, etc. it is rather a call to continue to be reformed by the Scriptures and do theology in compelling ways for the 21st century. It is because I have a desire to see the objective truth of Scripture clearly articulated in compelling ways that I have started to formulate this series. I hope to discuss what creative theology is, why it should exist, how we can look at doctrine with fresh eyes, and also to explore some great examples of it this coming year. I can’t wait to share this series with my readers.
4. Connecting All My Writing
I have enjoyed the privilege of writing for a number of different outlets over the last several years. I have had articles featured at The Gospel Coalition, Relevant Magazine, Echo Hub, Christ and Pop Culture, The Southern Ohio Pastors Coalition, and elsewhere. I am looking forward to continuing and increasing these opportunities in 2014. As I do I want to do a better job of integrating my writings elsewhere with this blog. The writing I do at those outlets will make connections with what I am doing here at Pastor Dave Online.
5. Ask Pastor Dave
Already I have been doing these kinds of posts and the responses have been great. I have received lots of questions, some I know how to answer and some I don’t. I will be cycling this series in throughout the year, offering opportunities for questions every so often. You can expect the first cycle of APD this month.
You can expect other normal aspects of the blog to continue as well. Mondays will generally feature book reviews and Saturday mornings I will be sharing my selected good reads from around the web. I will be blogging on a number of different theological concepts as well, including: worship, the atonement, and theological methodology. It’s already shaping up to be a good year and I am excited from the responses people have given me about the blog. I love and appreciate each of you and look forward to serving you and serving alongside in the next year.
Sparrow & Heart Soul Care 