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.

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.

Regarding:  http://www.mychurch.org/blog/470390/Using-Your-Real-Name-thanks-to-Facebook?&nominate=

I have yet to hear a good reason for this switch.  Openness as I mention doesn't cut, especially when it doesn't feel like the people making that statement are being open themeselves.  To boot, asking for people to be more open while at the same time taking away some level of trust  just doesn't work.  I'll personally be praying that myChurch reconsiders.  If they don't, I will probably be one of the folks going away for good.   

I know one of the questions being asked is "What good does that do for other folk"?  I don't know.  But why are the ones who have will had the trust broken, the ones who are being asked that question, while the ones breaking the trust aren't?

I'll be honest.  I don't get the gene argument.  It's been pointed out that there might be (or is) a homosexual gene.  It's also been pointed out there might be an alcoholism gene.  Maybe we'll find a "Sex Before Marriage" gene or "Kill others" gene.  My problem is in the end, I'm led to ask "So what?".  It's not that I don't feel empathy or understand, but whether there is a gene or not, the question that needs to be asked is, is the action itself the right thing to do?  If it's not, does the gene argument lead to any sort of solution or aid in handling the situation?  In alcoholism, is not the real solution to realize you have a problem and not drink?

Let's just say for the sake of argument, that I had a gene that makes me likely to spit on (or worse to) alcoholics.  Does that mean I should carry that action out?  As I've heard it put, does this mean "I should dance to my DNA"?

In Proverbs, it is pointed out that as a man thinketh in his heart so is he, which certainly seems to be an argument for the nature of man.  "We have all sinned and fallen short" as Romans says.  It doesn't say "We have all sinned and fallen short, but I understand that some of you had pre-existing conditions so you're exempt."

What will genes be blamed for next?

Have you ever been exposed by life?

In my cube I have 5 pavers.  They are to be a reminder of the Obstacles to Grace.  And specifically the obstacles we (or in this case I) create for myself.  Someone asked me about them today.  And I compromised on the description of what they are.

Why did I compromise?

I'd like to think it was done so I wouldn't offend someone.  But I don't think that is it.  I think I was afraid to share what the true meaning was.  When "confronted", I hid the reason for my hope.

I've been assaulted a lot by Truth lately.  Do I stand up for it and how do I so without beating folks over the head with it?  I'd like to think that's part of the reason I didn't share.  I don't think that answers it completely though.

So when you are "hanging out" at work, how do you balance the life of grace and truth?  How do you live?