Okay – so I’m not very good with dates or directions (seriously, what is it with me getting lost for every party Mark throws?)….. anyway….
Apparently, last week was the one year anniversary of this blog and I totally missed it.
I have thoroughly enjoyed having such diverse readers engage this forum. I value the conversations that have emerged and the ways that we can all learn and grow from one another’s often thoughtful comments. And while this blog seeks to be unapologetically Christ-centered, I have particularly appreciated those who do not identify as Christian engaging our conversations ….. might you continue to find a safe place of respect and welcome. We need to hear your voices – especially given how easy it is for followers of Jesus to live in their own little bubble.
For those of you who like statistics:
We’ve had 4,603 folks from 83 countries visit 9,542 times.
Our 65+ posts have been commented on nearly 500 times.
The video clips we’ve been posting of the DVD have been viewed 4,726 times.
The two posts that drew the most attention this past year were:
Brian’s post addressing Word of Faith criticism of his journey.
Wendy’s post on whether we continue to Offer Hope.
It would seem that when we stand up and defend ourselves against our detractors we draw the most attention.
So what have we learned in the last year?
There are plenty of people who want answers. Clear answers. They don’t like feeling confused or unsure.
Our response? Join the club….. of living in some uncertainty that is.
What we’ve learned in the last year is to resist the request, or in some cases demand, for black and white answers. I hope we’re learning to ask more questions ….to be present in that generous spaciousness where it is ok to ask tough questions, where it is ok to have doubts, where it is ok to be frustrated with the complexities and seemingly unanswerable questions….. and where the focus is on relating to one another and relating to God.
This can be so threatening. For those of us who’ve grown up in a Christianity that told us we had absolute access to absolute truth with absolute certainty – any deconstruction of that is big-time anxiety producing. For those who have taken some risks to ask different questions …. the incredible discovery is that God is so much bigger than our limited absolutes. And for those who seek and ask and knock and search …. God is right there in the midst of it all.
I hope this blog will be a catalyst to cause people to think deeply, pray much, lead with a humble and listening posture. I hope we can continue to expose some of the ugly motivations that live in all of our hearts: our fear, our anger, our judgments, our assumptions and presumptions. I hope we can do our small part in addressing the systemic inequities that are inconsistent with God’s love for and image in each human being.
So thanks for joining us in these conversations. Thanks for the times you agreed and thanks for the times you’ve disagreed. Thanks for the encouragement many of you have shared. Thanks for your prayers. And thanks for risking to engage in the midst of the tensions of some uncertainty as we press forward together to see God and our common humanity past the divides that the intersection of faith and sexuality can inevitably create.
Monday, June 8, 2009
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10 comments:
Wendy,
Congratulations on ONE YEAR! I think it provides an opportunity for important dialogue with folks coming from many different perspectives.
Jack
Congratulations on blogging for a YEAR! Loved the BTG study and I pray that many get to learn and grow and have some really honest and challenging conversations through it and this blog (and for those of us who are Christians to resist remaining in a Christian "bubble" as you mention! ;)
Wendy - you might get lost coming to my parties, but you do finally arrive!
Congrats on your one-year anniversary! This blog has been a great thought-provoker over this past year, and I'm pleased it has been provocative, controversial, and yet so warmly welcoming to anyone who reads/engages.
I have read your blog, if only because I thougth it contained some open conversations about christians who struggle with same sex attractions. I'm sorry that you and I are on opposite sides of the issue. I wish it could be different, that I could take such a soft focus on scripture as to ignore direct commandments. But you've heard all of that before, and for you this (gay-christian thing) works. It must be nice to be able to re-invent God to suit your lifestyle, unfortunately that leaves the rest of us christians (with same-sex attractions) to wade thru the muck and mire of emotion and intention to discover the roots of what went wrong. Where did I begin to let my felt needs and desires superceed God's desires for my life? When did I start sacrificing His plans in lieu of my own?
I am sorry we are on opposite sides of this issue...I think I could have used your help.
Thanks Jack, Melanie and Mark. Blogs are definitely more fun when they are actually a conversation - so thanks and here's to a new year of interactions.
n'Process - I'm a little confused by your comment. I'm wondering how much of this blog you've actually read.
You may find this post to be of interest: http://btgproject.blogspot.com/2009/02/staying-true-to-convictions.html
There are times when our posts will be of encouragement to someone who is struggling with same-gender attraction. Other posts may be challenging as we engage those with diverse perspectives and create a space where we can sit at the table together to listen for how God is at work in us.
I would encourage you to be a little more cautious in the assumptions you make - you've made several in your comment that are unsubstantiated.
I did read the post that you pointed out and I especially identify with the words "I continue to be influenced and impacted by the Creation account and my sense of God's best intentions for human sexuality. But, like you, I have encountered others who come to different conclusions - and they have a very genuine faith. This disconnect can be anxiety producing and threatening - and this is especially so when it is a personal reality, struggle and journey." http://btgproject.blogspot.com/2009/02/staying-true-to-convictions.html
Yes, it is especially painful when the struggle is personal, and I am that guy for whom the "side A" beliefs cause much anxiety. I'm still pretty new at discussing my struggle with SSA in any sort of public forum. I have never been one to soften my words readily on things I am passionate about. But in truth, Jesus himself rarely had to speak harshly or even stridently to anyone, yet they understood His position clearly as well as His deep, deep love for them. I've got a bit more to learn.
n'Process - We all have a lot more to learn. That is why having uncomfortable conversations can be so valuable. When we are feeling the anxiety that can inevitably be stirred up in such conversations, we do well to remember that bringing such anxiety to the foot of the cross is always a better choice than projecting it on others.
One of the things I hope that the conversations on BTG engender is a deep love and value for each human being who engages here - regardless of their beliefs, values, choices, behaviours etc. Each one is imperfect - but each one of inestimable value.
When we learn to extend such dignity and value to those we disagree with, we are moving towards Jesus' revolutionary teaching and ethic of love that broke barriers and crossed boundaries.
Hi Wendy,
This scripture came to me in a dream, and although I don't know you, the dream indicated this was for you related to any unfinished business you have with people who have come to know you or you them. Have know idea why this was for you.... but it seems like it is unless dreams are non-sense?
"Colossians - 4:6
"Let your speechalways be with grace,seasonedwith salt, that you may know how you oughtto anser each one. "
Thank you Uber Cool - I will always receive a fresh reminder to be gracious. The same text in the Message (the paraphrase of scripture by Eugene Peterson that I am totally addicted to...) says, "Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out." That is certainly my prayer for my own conversations and the ones here at BTG.
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