Reading this article about the “Transparent Pastor” got me thinking hard about where the blogging medium and other digital forms of communication “sit” in terms of our sins and transparency.
It’s so easy to hide our true selves online as we can pretty much craft and display anyone we want to be. We can also oversell or undersell our sins in grandiose-type fasion if we’d like.
But how should one go about using their blog to “confess” ones sins publicly? What are the benefits? What are the potential dangers?
I think “context” is probably one of the biggest issues at hand; admitting to your local congregation is different than blogging to the world.
Your thoughts?
[Image from Bass]
I use avenues like life group to confess sin, which I feel like works much better than shooting it out to the blog.
This is less about confessing sin, but I know that Los blogged his weight loss journey, stuff like that can be really helpful.
but does that mean you're less “authentic”?
I don't think authentic means me regularly vomiting up the deets. I think I would confess sin on a blog if I thought it could be beneficial to readers. You've had a couple posts that made me check my motives, stuff like that.
it doesn't make him less authentic because his choice is to share some sins in group and other stuff in public. un-authentic would be saying you are an open book but never tell anyone you have a addition to oreo cookies…
You’ve changed the comments section?
Anyway, being open in the blog really is not “real”. maybe not all but most. Coz at the end of the day, the readers may not know you and may not actually care. Being open and accepting your mistakes in front of your church, that is FOR REAL. you’re putting yourself at risk already. your name and your dignity.
I shouldn't have… is something different?
@human3rror ID is throwing a couple of curve balls again……It appears back to normal
@mikes I would say your right and your wrong. Yes there is definitely something to be said for standing up for your mistakes in front of your church and that does mean something, but online reputation issues can have longer term consequences than most people realize. You may not be risking everything in front of people you know, but you may definitely be risking everything with people you have yet to meet. And as they say you never get a second chance to make a first impression….
I think that blogging about sin can be helpful if done in a way that points the reader to the gospel. For example, if I were struggling with an addiction to pornographic websites, I would not want to blog about all the gross details about what I did online last night. That is a recipe for disaster. But, if that sin that I struggle with creates a deep longing for true righteousness and purity which is only found in the person of Christ, then blog about that longing! In my opinion, talking about sin publicly is not helpful unless the gospel is involved in the conversation.
So, to put it briefly, I think it can be helpful to blog about personal sin. But, the focus should not be the dirty details of what you did or didn't do, but rather, the focus should be on; the mournfulness in your heart, the steps you took toward repentance, and (most importantly) the sufficiency of the Cross to cover your sin. And now that I have written this much, I realized that the apostle Paul gives us pretty much the perfect example in Romans 7….
I used to be a campus minister, and during that time I used to blog about what was going on in our collegiate ministry so supporters of mine could keep up with me if they wanted. Those posts were intended for them, and I really wanted to be authentic for them.
But once they're on the Internet your words are for everyone. Therefore, I used Matthew 7:6 to establish my blogging policy. "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces." Our vulnerability and transparency can be used against us if shared in an improper context. In my case, I chose to use an email newsletter and a snail mail newsletter to share the deeper things and used the blog to paint in broad strokes.
As with everything, there is a balance that must be played out. I have found atleast some value, with my personal blog in showing that Christians have struggles too. (http://apilgrimsconfession.wordpress.com) We are not always happy, but its Jesus that ultimately wins out in providing the answer. The way through can be dark, and my blog theme reflects this. But there is hope however, with God!
If it is true that we are only as sick as our secrets, then blogging about our sins would be liberating, and not incarcerating.
Personally, I wish I would blog about my sins more. it would help me and also my readers. But the truth is that I don't sin in a vacuum. My sins manifest themselves into consequences that affect me AND the people closest to me. So while confessing my sins on my blog might be a catalyst for healing *for me*, it could be a catalyst for hurting *for my family*.
I realize this sounds like a cop out. I'm comfortable with any of you not believing me.
peace|dewde
/agree
awesome point. We have to recognize that our sins aren't just about us. most if not all affect many other people, some of whom we don't even realize. We need to practice a little discernment for sure and make sure we are confessing for His kingdom and not for our hearts / ego.
Me i'm all about transparency. While i believe some sins shouldn't be broadcast like a 5 y/o telling on her brother every time he picks his nose. I think we can share our struggles with our sins without telling everyone the exact details.
Our struggles is what binds us together and creates common ground for Christians and non-Christians to communicate. My blog did just that and my new blog i hope to do it on an even deeper level. It's not for everyone because sharing your sin / struggles opens the door for the devil. He can use this transparency against you and so you have to be strong and vigilant 24/7/365.
It's because of this ability by the devil to use your transparency that so many people are told to only share with those you trust. The problem i feel is over time we don't trust anyone or we get so used to the comfort of Christians that we don't branch out. The best conversations I've had, and the most real people i met weren't Christians who heard my struggles but strangers and non-Christians with whom i took the time to not only share but listen.
we definitely have to remember that the devil is prowling.
I'd have to think about why we would need to confess sins in a public forum. I'd start with going to God first. Then wife, pastor, etc.