Greg Crofford of Eight Iron. Here, Greg congratulates one of his students who published a Bible story book for children. 
I teach theology at a Bible College for the Church of the Nazarene, located in a country in the developing world. I’m married to Amy (since ’81) and we have two teenage sons.
Why do you blog?
Blogging let’s me process emotionally lots of what I read in the news. I’ve always been kind of a newsaholic anyways, so most of posts connect in some way to something I’ve read on the net.
What has been your best blogging experience?
Justin Delabar at Digital Dissent was open to my pseudonymous conservative writings as “Didsbury.” He was very affirming of my writing style, which encouraged me to eventually write under my own name, and start my own blog with a broader focus than Justin’s foreign policy format.
What would be your main advice to a novice blogger?
Install a “site meter.” It’s fun to see where people from around the world are coming to visit. But watch out! They’re addictive.
If you only had time to read three blogs a day, what would they be?
The Moderate Voice, Donald Sensing, and the Christian Science Monitor…OK, not a blog, but the best kept journalistic secret, and more ideologically balanced than MSNBC and CNN.
Who are your spiritual heroes?
Everyone says John Wesley, but the more I read of him, the more non-hero he seems. I think his brother, Charles, would be on the list, for his musical genius. (I’m into choir music sung well). In our day, I have great respect for Franklin Graham, but on the funny side, Mark Lowry and Chonda Pierce are good for what ails you.
What are you reading at the moment?
The Hamilton Case, a mystery by Michelle de Kresler
What is your favorite hymn and why?
“Day by Day and with Each Passing Moment” – This meant a lot to me about 9 years ago in Africa when I was flat on my back for three days with stress-related exhaustion. It was a reminder that if we rely only upon ourselves to do God’s work, we’re toast.
Can you name a major moral, political, or intellectual issue on which you've ever changed your mind?
Environmentalism, I call it “Creation Care.” I recently heard the Rev. Jerry Falwell dismissing global warming as something liberals have cooked up, if you’ll forgive the pun. I used to be like him, but I figure we have nothing to lose by cutting fossil fuel emissions, and everything to gain.
What philosophical thesis do you think is most important to combat?
Some would solve the theodicy issue by taking away the omnipotence of God. But I can’t look at a starry sky and call the Lord anything but Almighty. If we give up that attribute of God, then an element of doubt will forever cloud our prayers. Why bother calling on heaven, if heaven can’t do much to help?
If you could effect one major change in the governing of your country, what would it be?
No one should be allowed to be President who doesn’t speak at least two languages fluently. Write it into the Constitution, and test candidates before you let them campaign. Our rampant mono-lingualism is the greatest threat to America’s security.
If you could effect one major policy change in the Church of the Nazarene, what would it be?
I would merge with the Wesleyans and Free Methodists, and keep the name “Wesleyan.” It’s the best name of the three, and would make for a numerically more significant denomination that is simultaneously: 1) accepting of women at all levels of ordained ministry; 2) theologically conservative, and 3) globally minded.
What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
Hey, I’m only 42! The Lord willing, I’m just about half done. But since you ask, I’d offer a little saying we use around our house when someone starts bellyaching: “Would you like some cheese with your whine?” I’ve seen pastors in West Africa with a fraction of what I possess, yet thanking God for his blessings. Use what you have; it’s more than most.
What, if anything, do you worry about?
In the country where I live, I fear my family being evacuated at a moment’s notice, due to political instability. We take it one day at a time.
If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything that you'd do differently?
Mostly, I’m happy with my choices, but I was way too aloof from the other kids in school growing up. I was an evangelical lost in a sea of Roman Catholicism, at an age when we thought the Pope might be the anti-Christ. (Thank the Lord all that is changing in Protestant-Catholic relationships). So, I never let myself have deep friendships with Catholics, which in retrospect, was a foolish and unnecessary loss.
Where would you most like to live (other than where you do now)?
Bowling Green, Kentucky. It’s got everything: a great university, friendly people, natural beauty. I’ve never visited, but my wife fell in love with it, and she’s a good judge of those kinds of things. Maybe we’ll retire there, when the time comes.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
I used to be a killer trumpeter, and I still have my Bach Stadivarius. I pick it up from time to time, but haven’t publicly performed in ages. I walk a mile or so with my wife most nights, and sometimes will jog. My boys crush me in chess, but still humor me with a game now and then. We also have a ton of movies, and some I’ll watch over and over. Of course, there’s blogging…
What is your most treasured possession?
My theological library
What talent would you most like to have?
Golf is a great way of being with people, and lots of fun, too. I wish I were good at it, and am still trying to score just once a 49 for 9 holes.
If you could have any three guests, past or present, to dinner, who would they be?
Ronald Reagan, Susanna Wesley, and Jesse Owens (Olympic sprinter)
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