Cre8d started a discussion a few weeks ago, that I have unreservedly called the best I’ve seen in a year of blogging.
There are several reasons for my effusive statement.
Why? It is orginal and creative. No one looked at Daypop and linked up.
This came from the god bloggers.
The most important and life-affirming reason is the courtesy given to Rachel’s interviewees and the deep listening, caring, and thinking that many, many others from all over the world have given this discussion.

There were a few shouters, a few legalistic/rigid comments or posts. I know because I tracked every one of them. They fell silent. By far, the respect and decency the participating bloggers have shown one another has been exemplary. They have indeed been the ’see how they love one another’ group.

respect: heed or regard for;
attention to;
treat with consideration;
avoid interfering with or harming;
refrain from offending;
deferential;

They have feed the sheep.
Blessed are the peace makers.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst.

If one post sums this vibrant, dynamic and convicting conversation up for me, it is this one today at The Heresy.

Several months ago I entered into a private and grieving discussion with a couple of mature bloggers who have great integrity. One of the things that became very clear to us was the role international bloggers would play out in the suburbia of the god-blogs in the upcoming war with Iraq, as ideologies hardened and feelings blew.
We committed ourselves to gentleness in a brutal time.
Another thing we committed to, was to show everyone respect, in what ever place they were at, coming from, or going to. It was a tough go, there were times we failed, our focus sometimes faltered. The verse that personally became rhema was John 12:24. Several bloggers sent it my way, God wrote it on my heart.

This discussion has been one of the most healing ones I have ever had in real life or on the net, and I am priviledged to be part of it.
My heart has been quite bruised these past five-six months, slow to heal, and I hope to be able to speak freely about that soon. I am deeply indebted to those of you who have cared enough to speak and act from your hearts.

Thank you for choosing to fall on the side of the angels.
It matters.
As God is dealing with his bride, and as His Spirit broods across this earth, l recommit myself to serve to others in this little blog place, for as long as I am afforded the privilege.

The Heresy looks at both sides of the discussion and draws us together, by gently pulling the focus toward the One we serve and seek so diversely. He uses language we all understand.

It’s not fair to accuse the “church leavers” of abandoning church. They have abandoned a form of church for another one that is more effectively meeting their immediate needs. One of their major needs is recovery from the dysfunction of traditional churches. Let them recover.

……God is taking care of them. If your primary concern is your own ministry and the success of your church you should be worried because these people will never go back to the old forms of church.

Blog on!