Thanks for this Mike - a fair and helpful response. On the social media point, you're right that it is a great equalizer and hugely important for those who lack advocates, justice, and fairness. That's why in the paragraph before the one you quoted, I wrote: "I’m grateful for social media, and the way voices who would otherwise be silenced have been able to share their stories in ways that have brought important themes like racism, or abuse – sexual and spiritual – into the public consciousness. And to be sure, not everything can (or should) be worked out in the local church. Scriptures like Matthew 18; 1 Corinthians 6; 1 Timothy 5 are often held up as the correct ‘biblical’ approach to issues in the church, but in reality can be (ab)used to put the victim in an inappropriate situation, protect the leader, and undermine the quest for repentance, restoration and healing. So there’s an important place for speaking up and speaking out online." So yes, your point is an important one, well-stated, and I certainly agree! Thanks for taking the time to read and respond - I appreciate it.
Thanks for this Mike - a fair and helpful response. On the social media point, you're right that it is a great equalizer and hugely important for those who lack advocates, justice, and fairness. That's why in the paragraph before the one you quoted, I wrote: "I’m grateful for social media, and the way voices who would otherwise be silenced have been able to share their stories in ways that have brought important themes like racism, or abuse – sexual and spiritual – into the public consciousness. And to be sure, not everything can (or should) be worked out in the local church. Scriptures like Matthew 18; 1 Corinthians 6; 1 Timothy 5 are often held up as the correct ‘biblical’ approach to issues in the church, but in reality can be (ab)used to put the victim in an inappropriate situation, protect the leader, and undermine the quest for repentance, restoration and healing. So there’s an important place for speaking up and speaking out online." So yes, your point is an important one, well-stated, and I certainly agree! Thanks for taking the time to read and respond - I appreciate it.