Afterall, Church (with a capital C), thrives better with genuinity instead of anonymity. - Using Your Real Name... thanks to Facebook
I started this Labor Day weekend believing this was true. I'm always thought I was a huge openness fan. I ended this weekend realizing this was just another example of a mask I wear.
As many folks know I became beligerrent over the weekend. Let me explain parts of what that happened.
1) I went to my actual church.
Do you know on the back of the prayer cards at our church, they have a little check box that says "For staff only"? (Maybe others don't have that, but I'm guessing they have something like that)
As I walked out, there was a benevolence offering. In case we are unique here, this is an opportunity to give money in case someone is struggling. This is usually done with as close to anonymity as possible.
Then I started thinking about the men's prayer group I attend. And the lunch group I attend. And I realized, part of the reason for the openness we have is anonymity. We know it's not going to go outside the 4 walls of those rooms. Yes others know our names, but there are many groups that were formed precisely because people didn't want others to know their names. And that's part of why they work. Things like Alcoholics Anonymous, and other 12 step programs. And I think of HopeFiendDave and wonder if he would have started shared knowing one day the anonymity he had might be gone.
I think of the prayer request I had for a brother on here, and wondered, for him would it have been better if I had been open about his name?
I started thinking of the conversations I have on Facebook. Most of them incredibly shallow and wonder if part of the reason I don't share more there is because I know who knows me there.
It's easy to look at folks who don't appear to share as much on here and think, you know if only they'd be more open. If only they would give a little more information. Maybe they can't. Maybe they don't have anything more to give? How do you live? Do you share everything that goes on in your life here? Are you completely honest? Or are there masks you hide behind because you are known? Truths you don't tell? I'm not saying you should share all of that, or that you should be feeling guilt about not sharing that. I'm just sharing what I found out about the masks I wore.
2) Saved for another time.