How to Write a Controversial Blog Post

I'm the king of tossing out ideas that people love to swat like badminton birdies. (If you want to write controversial blog posts too, this is a tutorial to show you how I do it... =)

The Posted Idea
I start off by wanting to say that church planters throw themselves too early into preaching and teaching before they have sufficiently reached out to the community or laid a strong organizational foundation. It's the same problem hair dressers face when they start their own salons. They're great cutters, but don't have the business acumen to make the organization work.

But this concept is pretty blah by itself. So I dress it up with an attention-getting headline:

"Why Preachers Shouldn't Start Churches"

This statement could be misunderstood (and usually is), but somehow, in some way, it communicates what I'm trying to say. But then come the critics:

Critic #1: The Spiritualizer
Quotes 2 Timothy 4:2 that we should be ready to preach in season and out, and says that I'm putting too much emphasis on the human factor in ministry. We're only to be faithful in preaching.

Critic #2: The Unidentifier
Prefaces it by saying I'm usually a good read, but this post is just waaay overboard. Wonders if I haven't been reading my Bible since leaving the pastorate. Is considering dropping me from his Google reader.

Critic #3: The Personal Attacker
Tells me I must be bitter that I'm no longer a preacher. This must be my anger raging up inside. Usually, this comment is signed by "thelordsspokesman@gmail.com" which goes nowhere.

You gotta love blogging. =)

Comments

[robb overholt]

Of all of your posts, this may well be my favorite. Wait... yep, it is.

[Kenyon]

There are probably far more reading blogs and your blog specifically and getting alot out of it because we are challenged and stretched by new thinking and ideas. So please, don't worry about the small few who are vocally negative and don't let that hinder or taint what God has put on your heart.

Oh and thanks for your authentic posts...I personally value them.

[Abby]

I am not quoting it correctly, but isn't there a comment about any press being good press? Keep being controversial... that's why we like you!

[Nick]

I am a first time reader to your blog. I've read half this post and have to come back to finish it, but I wanted to tell you that it was very good, I've enjoyed what I read so far!

[Jeremy Small]

Ben, I look forward to this blog er'day. Yep, that's right. When you were a preacher I would casually look into what you had to say but now its almost like a man crush is developing I rush through those other guys (and gals) to see if good old Ben is releasing any new creative juice into blog world.

Keep it comin' bro. I hope that some day you'll say something that offends me too.

[Nick Poole]

Keep it coming Ben! You have a great way of challenging the way I think!!

[Jim Henry]

I have this odd picture of you playing badminton in my head and I can't get it out...disturbing, but true :)