A father's question: Why read each other's blogs?

While visiting my family in Baltimore, D.C., and New Jersey this past week, my father took an interest in my new experience as a Quaker blogger. He asked, "Why would you want to read other people's blogs? They won't have anything new to say; they're not experts on Quakerism, so why take the time to read them?"

I responded by telling him—

(1) it's unclear what the place of the internet and blogs are among contemporary Friends, and so we are engaged in a large sort of experiment;
(2) I like reading what other Quaker bloggers have to say, because what I read often stimulates my thinking and searching; and
(3) sometimes I have something to add to the discussion that may in turn stimulate someone else's thinking.

Among our individual posts as Quaker bloggers, there is much wonderful ministry and eldership going on, such as QuaCarol's post that is lifted up by Martin Kelley at his blog, Quaker Ranter.

There is a sort of communal seeking and sharing that is going on. While we are engaged in it, I cannot help but wonder from time to time if we are not also testing how our faithfulness to the Spirit might be enhanced; if we are better servants, better Friends of the Truth, as a result.

Blessings,
Liz