While some no doubt will see sbc IMPACT! as a competing alternative to Outpost, we believe that there are enough distinct differences between the focus of our sites that, in time, the two will be linked only by the commonality that we are both group blogs involving SBC folks. There’s room enough in SBC life for all of us.

That’s not to say that we will be without fault or that we support everything at Outpost. We recognize that all sites have faults, and we fully anticipate that we will have a few warts as well. The point is simply that we will not throw stones at others in SBC life, be it Outpost, denominational leaders, or anyone else.

Now, we don’t believe that stone throwing was the intent of your comment, so please don’t interpret this response in that manner. We did, however, want to take this opportunity to clarify our intentions.

Anyway, we most certainly appreciate your well wishes and prayers for sbc IMPACT!

Thank you for being my “Barnabas” here.

Knowing you as long as I have, I know your heart here. In keeping the bar high, my prayer for this new blog has actually been along the lines of what you are saying.

There are going to be those who want to micro-scrutinize everything we say and read back into those things veiled references and innuendos. Such is the manner of keyboard to monitor communication, so we must choose our words wisely and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

I think we can do that as long as we try to the best of our abilities and the resources we are invested by the Holy Spirit not to give any occasion for the flesh. One of the agreements among the collaborators has been to hold one another accountable for grace seasoned speech, right guys? And the lady, too!

So everyone, please hear Steve’s heart here. He is not trying to stir up trouble, but being a veteran blogger himself, he knows how things can quickly degenerate. He brings a level of wisdom to this arena that we would all do good to emulate.

Geoff,

Now, pigs can fly. I still don’t know about fish. Bones and all? That’s just gross.

What was meant to be an encouraging nudge toward the Holy Spirit has apparently been misconstrued on some levels.

Let me be absolutely clear about one thing. I do not in any way believe that the Holy Spirit would guide us in a direction that is counter to what God has already revealed. (I also don’t believe herring can literally fly, but my attempt at absurdity was taken a bit too literally! hehe)

I believe that the role of scripture is to point us to Jesus (John 5:39). Likewise, Paul exhorts us to walk in the Spirit.

Look at Galatians 5:19-26. The things that are agreed on this blog as attitudes and tones that are to be avoided are listed among the deeds of the flesh. “enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,” among others.

The antidote that Paul gives to this is not scripture, per se, but rather the Spirit.

To some that appears to be nitpicking. However, I think that it is important that we “speak biblically”. If scripture is a product of the Spirit, then of course, scripture will be a great resource. But when it comes to specifics of “how should I respond to this commenter”, or even “should I respond to this commenter”, there is not a direct scripture verse to guide in that. In cases like that, we must be able to follow the lead of the Spirit in us.

“Spirit” may (and does) include “scripture”, but “scripture” does not equal “Spirit”.

That’s all I meant by it.

But trust us … we really do want things to be different in this forum.

Tony, I don’t know, man … those herring fly off of plates over in Eastern North Carolina (I used to live in Williamston – Martin County). Corned herring, scored and deep fried. They put ‘em down, bones and all. I think some call them “Roanoke River Bacon.” Now those herring do fly!

Perhaps I am having a weird day, but unless you are prescribing to some kind of macro-evolution now, fish don’t fly…at least, not herring…

You have provided some food for thought (I also went to your website)! The question I would have is this – would the Spirit of God “contradict” that which He has already spoken (Scripture). At what extent, in other words, will the Spirit lead us into “new things” in which the canon remains silent? That is the harbinger of a post! Thank you very much (I needed some help since Geoff is kinda demanding some scheduling inputs!)

Rob