tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655521.post112017677272909079..comments2024-02-23T17:09:12.957-05:00Comments on bethquick.com: all in the (blogging) family?Beth Quickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14171030571583683180noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655521.post-1120280066310358702005-07-01T23:54:00.000-05:002005-07-01T23:54:00.000-05:00I'd have to say that I change my mind very slowly,...I'd have to say that I change my mind very slowly, over a long period of time. I don't mean in the stubborn sense of refusing change, but in the sense of a long process of mulling, considering, and discussing. There are a number of political issues as to which this has happened over time, and I can point to certain discussions or things that I read as part of that process, but the change may not have occurred for years afterward. I suppose I should send the responsible parties a thank you card.Chesapeake Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16293582521962962244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655521.post-1120279511493481932005-07-01T23:45:00.000-05:002005-07-01T23:45:00.000-05:00Hi Beth, Conversation is a tricky thing, especiall...Hi Beth, <BR/><BR/>Conversation is a tricky thing, especially for a people of camps as we are today in America. I'm troubled since the Church is mimicing the political culture in this. We are loyal to folks in our "camp" in the way we speak about them no matter what positions they take and are equally rough on those in opposing camps even when we might agree, lest we support a position of theirs and align ourselves with the opposition. Perhaps we don't tow the line completely, but I don't often see us move too far beyond token disagreements with our "sides." <BR/><BR/>Lack of genuine listening happens when, as you say, we post/comment "at" instead of "with"--I appreciate the distinction you draw. What we practice in community, we tend to practice with God. A habit of poor listening with one another deafens us to the Word and Spirit of God. This is dangerous indeed. <BR/><BR/>Another related temptation for us pastors (and other folks) I have noticed is speaking to others as expert instead of journeying with others as companions. While each of us may have insights and experiences that are beneficial to one another, the instructional tone shifts the relationship from colleagial to hierarchical. This is unfortunate. Much grace is needed for us to bear with one another as we learn in fits and starts to listen well--and for that listening to manifest itself in our speaking with one another. <BR/><BR/>Perhaps genuine listening and patient grace can shift our participation in blog posts/comments from dualing monologues to real conversations.gmwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03141082618099710161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655521.post-1120226404964812912005-07-01T09:00:00.000-05:002005-07-01T09:00:00.000-05:00That's why I'm trying to devote less posts to case...<I>That's why I'm trying to devote less posts to cases where church leaders say foolish things because it's happening more and more often! I'd never write about anything else. I post the same things repeatedly, and people make the same comments repeatedly, because Jim Winkler (and Bob Edgar) say the same kinds of things repeatedly.</I><BR/><BR/>Finding outrageous statements makes for easy <A HREF="http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/" REL="nofollow">LGF</A>-style posting. It's a handy shortcut on busy days, and tends to encourage lengthy comment threads.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04854543617806427302noreply@blogger.com