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I've been reading , the Presbyterian Church's Moderator-designate (though he prefers to describe himself, here, as 'presbyterian pastor'). If he keeps it up, come June, he will be the first blogging moderator in the church's history. Donald Patton, of course, could start one up before them and steal that coveted accolade from his successor. (Relax, Stafford, Donald's much too nice a guy to do that.)

I have to say, I'm enjoying Stafford's style. He writes conversationally, thinks aloud in posts, and carefully lays out a rationale for his blogging enterprise -- a mission statement, if you will. He's also clear about what he won't be writing about: 'There are advantages to blogging which may enhance pastoral ministry, but is revealing the details of my life one of them? I don't think so. I don't think that I am all that interesting.'

I beg to differ. You'd be surprised how interesting you will become during your moderatorial year, Stafford. Nevertheless, you will find an entry discussing his attractive 19th century church manse and its grounds, where Bob, the gardener, tends the monkey puzzle trees. I was interested to read an entry about the 500th anniversary of John Calvin's birth. Stafford was preparing to give an address to the Reformed Presbyterian conference marking that anniversary, and gives some hints about what he would say. I'll be making a documentary about Calvin this year, so I was keen to read the address; but it's not attached. The address would emphasize Calvin's work as a theologian of the Spirit (or spiritual theologian). I think Stafford is right to place the emphasis there -- it's a necessary counterbalance to overly systematic readings of Calvin's theology. If you are reading this post, Stafford (as I know you sometimes do), can you post the address on your blog? For all I know, if Calvin were alive today, he might even be blogging himself. Perhaps he'd admit blogging as a new office of the church. OK, that's pushing it a bit.

In any case, a blogging church leader is an interesting development for our culture. It gives him, or her, a direct and immediate connection with various audiences, beyond the constraints of press statements and managed messages. And, in this case at least, anyone leaving a comment can expect their words to be well and truly moderated. Welcome to the blogosphere, Moderator-to-be.

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