I deleted this post after about 3 hours because I realized that even though it involved my reaction to something that occurred at church – where God gave me a much needed course correction – it also included information about another person. Even though that person was not named and personal details not included, if someone who goes to my church read this, they could figure it out. Basically, the post had the potential to be hurtful and divisive. Even though I think the lesson I learned might be beneficial to others, that possible benefit doesn’t outweigh the hurt the post could cause other people.
Deleted Post: Keeping My Eyes on the Prize
By on April 4, 2006
So, I guess this means Pursuing Holiness is more than a title for you. We need more bloggers/Christians with that kind of honesty and humilty. Keep it up!
I agree with Daniel. Self-censoring (of this sort) is pretty important in the Christian world. It is all too easy to spout whatever we (meaning “I”) want. It takes a humble and pious Christian to recognize that there are other things that might be bigger than what I want.
Blessings
You’re both very kind.
A true expression of John 3:30.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
What a blessing and encouragement
it is to read this humble posting.
Many blessings Sister,
Charlotte
You’re all very kind, but… it would have been better if I’d had the thought 3 hours sooner and not hit publish at all!
I hope nobody in my church read it. Just curious, but as far as you know, do people from your churches read your blogs? Only a handful from my church know about or read mine. I bet an unwise blog entry like the one I made could cause a lot of trouble in a church body but I’ve never heard of it actually happening.
Not publishing at all would have been better, but rethinking things is also good.
I don’t think anyone from my home church has ever read my blog, at least that I am aware of. Blogging can be an interesting thing in the church because it can help expose problems and aid in correction, but it can also cause pain. It is pretty crucial to figure what our blogs are doing.
I don’t know – as for correcting problems, blogging really doesn’t even come close to the biblical model. It’s too easy to be harsh and judgemental behind the safety of your screen and keyboard. When you look someone in the eye, you tend to temper your words a bit more and extend a bit more grace.
In the case of the unrepentant sinner that I was focusing on to the detriment of my own relationship with God, the biblical model has actually been followed – is being followed. The church leadership is involved with this person’s life and family. The problem that led to the post was ME. MY judgement that things ought to be handled differently, faster, better, I don’t know… I was side-seat driving, in other words. I’m not one to think my pastors are infallible by any means, but I do trust them so far, and I need to continue to unless I see some pretty compelling reasons to stop. If the pastors weren’t following the biblical standard for addressing sin within the church, that’d be a different thing. As for blogs playing a part in the process of exposing/correcting sin in the church body, I can’t envision it.
How would it work? (Serious question, not snark.)
Hello. This post had been deleted before I read it, so I am not able to comment on the original words. Considering the responses though has made for interesting reading, and I have one thing to say: It is the Christian attitude to “take the high road.” Not always easy, but right. When we do wrong, it is the Christian thing to admit that and correct it. Not easy, but right.
I have had the Holy Ghost for 57 years now…and walking in holiness with Jesus gets better every day.
Blessings to you and your walk with Him.
I’ve enjoyed your site; hope you find mine a source of joy.
Shirley
“I don’t know – as for correcting problems, blogging really doesn’t even come close to the biblical model. It’s too easy to be harsh and judgemental behind the safety of your screen and keyboard. When you look someone in the eye, you tend to temper your words a bit more and extend a bit more grace.” That is hitting it right on the nose. Very well said. I can see this attitued in myself all the time: the screen provides cover.
I think that one of the big ways the blogging can help with the church is by allowing 1) yourself to actually mull the issues over and 2) allow outsides to provide insight that you may not have thought of. The issue is, of course, how much to say on the blog to allow it to be something helpful vs. saying something that could be hurtful. If anything, talking to the parties concerned before posting may be helpful… I don’t know. This is obviously a tough issue. I just have to think that blogging can, in some way, be edifying to the church…