A Blog Can’t Change The World

Yesterday, our staff at Cross Point gathered in the afternoon to watch an online leadership conference. One of the first speakers is the pastor of a very large church in the Midwest. I’ve been to his church, met with his staff, and been very impressed with his ministry. But in one section of his talk, he went off on “popular bloggers” and “hip bloggers”. Then he made a statement that I haven’t been able to let go of.

“Let’s be honest, there is no way that a blog is going to change the world.”

Late yesterday afternoon, we received this comment on the post Alece wrote:

I came across this site 2 months into my divorce. I was the one that filed. I was the one convinced that it was over and that I wanted it that way. For whatever reason I searched the Internet searching for validation but instead found Refine Us. The posts made me think, make me second guess myself and the feelings I believed that God supported my decision. I couldn’t believe that a couple could go through what Justin and Trisha went through and stay together!

I feel very confident that this website SAVED MY MARRIAGE. I cancelled the divorce and my husband and I are still together and working through our issues. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us!

This pastor is right. A blog can’t change the world. Neither can a pastor.

A church can’t change the world. A ministry can’t change the world. A building can’t change the world. You can’t change the world. Neither can I. Neither can this guy.

World changing is only available through the powerful redemption and grace of Jesus Christ. World changing is reserved for Him.

That is what we want to be found here.

This is where Jesus lives. This is where His story gets told. This is where His power is made strong in weakness. This is where His glory shines brightly. This is where His amazing grace is shared. This blog isn’t written to change the world. It is written to tell of the world in our hearts that has been changed through the person and the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.

He is a world changer. If you come here long enough, our prayer is that your world will be changed through Him.

Our most popular blog series at RefineUs is a series called, 8 Things that Destroyed Our Marriage.

Several people have asked to have that resource all in one place. We’ve expanded the blog posts, added Scripture to each principle and provided you with a free ebook.

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http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com Kyle Reed

Thanks for saying this. As someone who lives in nashville, knows you and Trish and others because of blogs and twitter and has had some great friendships and challenging life conversations
because of blogs and twitter that statement could not be any more false from that leader.

Sad to hear that, but glad you are calling attention to it.
- http://www.refineus.org Justin and Trisha
  
  Thanks Kyle!
John

Great post… It is so easy to shut people down, discourage with just a few words… it is also so easy to let the opinions of the uninformed and out of touch but well positioned derail effective work and venues…. boy, I am really trying not to bash this dude… You never know when one thing you share by any means will be the one thing that someone needs to hear… God does the work, we just do what He says, no matter what anyone else says. Thank you for your faithful obedience, God always blesses that, never a style, program, model… only the heart seeking and obeying him.
- http://www.refineus.org Justin and Trisha
  
  I love that…God does the work, we just do what He says!
http://www.theveryworstmissionary.com/ Jamie the Very Worst Missionary

The funny thing about that pastor’s statement is that blogs already HAVE changed the world.

Great thoughts, Justin.
- http://www.refineus.org Justin and Trisha
  
  SO TRUE! Thanks Jamie.
http://dianerivers.wordpress.com Diane Rivers

I’m responding through tears here. Tears of sadness that someone in an influential position could be so dismissive (and wrong)… tears of regret when I wonder “what if” I had found your ministry a few years back … and tears of gladness that you so articulately called attention to the only One who can really change the world. Beautiful. Now I have to go mop up.
- http://www.refineus.org Justin and Trisha
  
  Thank you for your words Diane. Sorry to bring you to tears Really appreciate your perspective.
http://fireandhammer.blogspot.com Dennis

Great post. I find myself wondering why this pastor felt compelled to make such a statement. You hit the nail on the head. We are called to share Christ not to change the world.
- http://www.refineus.org Justin and Trisha
  
  Thanks Dennis!
Julie Suazo

He says a blog can’t change the WORLD, but it can change 1 heart at a time, and in my opinion, if even 1 heart is changed, and the Lord is glorified through the Blogger’s efforts, then his purpose has been filled through their works. My heart is changed with every post I read here, as is true with many others. Guess we can say THIS blog is changing the world 1 heart at a time.
- http://www.refineus.org Justin and Trisha
  
  One Heart at a time is more than enough!
http://w Chrissy

A single blog might not change the world on its own, but when it has the almighty power of the Creator behind it, it becomes a tool of amazing change. That’s what you’ve created here, Justin and Trisha. I’m sure your experience and your words have made a difference in the lives of many, much to the glory of God!
- http://www.refineus.org Justin and Trisha
  
  Thank you so much Chrissy!
http://www.firefliesandhummingbirds.net Chrissy

A single blog might not change the world on its own, but when it has the almighty power of the Creator behind it, it becomes a tool of amazing change. That’s what you’ve created here, Justin and Trisha. I’m sure your experience and your words have made a difference in the lives of many, much to the glory of God!
http://paulstanley.org Paul Stanley

Amen brother. I do agree that a blog or pastor can’t change the world, but God can change the world through a blog or a pastor.

Keep blogging and preaching the world.

Blessings,

Paul
- http://www.refineus.org Justin and Trisha
  
  Thanks Paul!
http://www.lindsaygoodwin.me Lindsay

Good gracious, I love this post. Every word of it. Thank you.
- http://www.refineus.org Justin and Trisha
  
  Thank you Lindsay!
http://manofdepravity.com Tyler Braun

So much truth here. Well done.
http://www.wisdomcries.org Nate Jenkins

Right on the money. All this ‘we can change the world’ talk is getting tiresome. Of course, Jesus Christ works through His body the Church to effect change, but our call is to be faithful to our World Changer as you pointed out. Thanks for writing. Big points in my book.
cshell

AMEN!
- http://adammclane.com adam mclane
  
  Recently I was told by a leader that blogging was dead and so was social media. Um… hard to say those things when my traffic is up 300% so far this year. Like you mentioned, I get emails and comments from leaders that remind me that my work is important and can do good for the Kingdom, just like a guy with a microphone on Sunday morning.
  
  Like a lot of bloggers, I’m sure you hear that stuff like I do and cringe. It’s one thing for one dude to say it at a church with no authority. The sad reality is that since that person is at a big church, a lot of leaders will look up to his opinion and escalate it to a near-canon status. I’ve sat in too many staff meetings and had to listen to a boss say, “Well, Andy Stanley said ___ at Catalyst.” (As if Andy Stanley were an elder at our church!)
  
  It’s an out-of-touch attitude. Surely, leaders all over North Africa and the middle east thought that citizen journalists and folks on Twitter were no big deal until the people toppled their regime! The same is true of “leaders” over large churches…. if they don’t respect the voice of the people the voice of the people will remind them that they are worthy of respect.
http://traceepersiko.wordpress.com tracee

wow!! amazing!! hope that provided some exhale with your choice to put your story on the line to help!
- http://www.refineus.org Justin and Trisha
  
  Such an appropriate word…exhale.
http://www.gritandglory.com alece

YES! i couldn’t agree more. so glad you wrote this.
- http://www.refineus.org Justin and Trisha
  
  Thank you friend!

A Blog Can’t Change The World

Justin and Trisha

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