you just wrote a book. you really did.
October 23rd, 2008 @ 3:28 pm
in the “things you can’t say in church” post, i thought it would be fun to figure out how many words were in the comments. verdict?
22,822
the deadly viper book is under 20,000 words. mad church disease comes in at about 43,000.
so seriously?
you guys just wrote a book.
on one hand, i feel badly because i know a lot of time and energy went into some of the comments that maybe didn’t have such a good return on investment. on the other hand, i think a lot of good issues and conversation was had. so i’m torn.
it’s one of those blogging dynamics i just don’t know where i land…does something like that provoke and waste peoples’ time and energy? or is it worth it to have a healthy discussion?
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Crystal Renaud said,
October 23, 2008 at 3:35 pm
i believe its worth it.
brandiandboys said,
October 23, 2008 at 3:38 pm
comment #1 is still my favorite! love kristiapplesauce and her “true-story” confession! :)
i also think it is worth it!
Benji Zimmerman said,
October 23, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I found it extremely worthwhile. I think it is something worth posting every 4-6 months.
David said,
October 23, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Worth it if not only for the psychological value of getting frustrations out into a public arena. Made me feel better.
Barge said,
October 23, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I admit that a lot of the comments were very mean/emotional, which kind of made me feel mad and then I got mean and emotional. I loved your post but there was definitely some very ugly, hurtful things said.
I know because I said some of them…
Phil Thompson said,
October 23, 2008 at 6:12 pm
publish it!
Joanna said,
October 23, 2008 at 6:48 pm
While i certainly wouldn’t suggest publishing all of them, many could make a great starting point for a book on communicating helpfully and lovingly about uncomfortable topics in a church setting.
Lory said,
October 23, 2008 at 7:17 pm
For me, it was totally worth it. I was able to write and then own some things that have been weighing me down. Granted, there were some rough comments, but overall, I see immense value in it. (Next time you might try asking, “What can you not say about yourself in the church?”…which might make it more reflective/introspective instead of church-bashing….of which I’ve done more than my fair share lately..)
Wendy Huang said,
October 23, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Hi Anne,
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I will be blogging about the campaign through an approved Trip Advisor blog: (http://morethanfootprints.typepad.com/votesavethechildren/).
Will you please blog about this amazing campaign and post this widget (please email me for the widget) up on your blog that takes people straight to the voting site and tells them about Save the Children? I would be happy to blog about your site as well.
Thank you so much,
Wendy Huang
Widget:
Texas in Africa said,
October 23, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Good discussions are worth it.
It’s also worth it to remember that books have editors. :)
Marla Taviano said,
October 23, 2008 at 11:14 pm
A majority of the comments just flat-out broke my heart.
Be Confident! said,
October 24, 2008 at 12:11 am
Anne,
The post was awesome. The response was spectacular! Honest conversations (with radical grace and radical integrity) help sharpen… so keep on it, girl! Don’t second guess yourself and continue doing what God has led you to do, especially with this blog! Commenting is optional, so why would it waste peoples’ time? Be bold and courageous in what you are doing- cutting edge is not always the most popular but can really help the church!
Have you read UnChristian (from the Barna group) about the de-churched?
Dana said,
October 24, 2008 at 1:45 am
In my humble insane opinion.
ALL COMMUNICATION.
Even ineffective abusive cursing, name calling, etc. Is used by God.
He wants us to communicate, with Him directly.
With each other too.
The hard part is learning HOW TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY?
That is each individual believers unique obligation.
Okay God I hear you want me to say something here, I feel your Spirit at work.
Give me Your words, Your timing, Your grace, Your humilty, Your anger when and where appropriate.
Proverbs 8:13 is the answer to understanding when to get pissed off.
Wisdom speaks to the wise, opens the eyes of the blind.
All those who fear the Lord will see righteousness.
Now it’s my turn to ask a question.
WHY FEAR THE LORD?
Isn’t this Jesus dude all about love, peace and joy?
I’m confused the bible is a big confusing history book, how do I study this monster?
Heidi Reed said,
October 24, 2008 at 6:49 am
Mondo worth it, girl!!
Your entire site is thought provoking and I am unashamedly going to admit my addiction to it.
tony said,
October 24, 2008 at 7:41 am
Dana - I’ll take a shot at your question. The reason I fer the Lord is because of the definition of fear. It is a strange combination of awe, love, respect, and yes also obedience. Maybe the fear is from more of the obedience part.
If you ahve a great parent you want to love and obey them - there is a type of fear (respect) involved becasue, if they are great parents, you know that their discipline will be in love and will ‘be for your own good’.
isn’t there times growing up when we said to ourselves - man, that’s tempting but my mom found out she would kill me! she wouldn’t discipline you out of hate, but out of love. but you don’t do it becasue your afraid of the discipline - it sets a boundary for you to live by.
one of God’s names (personality traits) is Abba Father. we tend to use that for the love trait of God - but it also applies to the discipline side of God.
hey, i tried. some pastor will correct me with a rock i’m sure, then use me as an example of being a heathen on his blog later - seems to be the trend these days
Kenyon said,
October 24, 2008 at 8:36 am
Agreed. It we can’t say these things in church, and we can’t say them to people we love, and we can’t say them to each other in cyberspace, how we ever gong to deal with this stuff?
B.McCoy said,
October 24, 2008 at 10:04 am
I think it was good. There’s nothing like being told your wrong in a place where there is no wrong answers. Healthy disagreement is one of the most amazing things on the planet in my opinion.
This was a good way to see if you are just a whiner, or if you have legitimate things you are holding back because of you’re church culture. There were lots of comments on both sides of that fence. (probably myself included, i guess i sealed my own fate by challenging the thinking of pro- life and ban’s on gay marriage, i should have known i would be taking my life in my own hands…)
Great times either way.
http://bmccoy.wordpress.com
Cindy K said,
October 24, 2008 at 11:08 am
It’s healthy because it caused introspection and conversation.
mike foster said,
October 24, 2008 at 5:25 pm
i would buy a copy of this book….really interesting thots….m.
Bunk said,
October 25, 2008 at 4:59 am
I second what Mike says. There are some really meaty thoughts provided in some of the replies. Also the fact that a book could have been written from the length of the comments is pretty darn incredible.
jimmy paravane said,
October 25, 2008 at 8:29 am
Anne, it sounds like you may have been pointed at your next book subject. (grin)
Evan Weatherford said,
October 26, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I think it was fantastic. It got heated at times for sure, but, nonetheless, I think we all learned something from it (probably something different for everyone).
http://weatherford.wordpress.com
Laura said,
October 27, 2008 at 7:50 am
Worth it!
Definately