On Going Privately Public

This all started with a desire to foster dialogue in a congregation that had stopped communicating directly. The idea was was to try to provide a place to air out the issues that we hide from. I started with a message board and with the first post was censored by the leadership as to public a forum, too controversial a topic. So I tried a restricted message board. That was too cumbersome even for the censoring leadership. Ultimately while reading some blogs from various ministers it ocurred to me to just do a blog linked to our church site. Well after a couple of months of that, with none of the hoped for dialogue, I arrived at this point. Take down the link and say whatever I please about whatever I please and see if any kindred spirits exist in blogdom. So for anyone new here is the rant that started it all in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina:

No Room at the Inn
I am writing to express my grave disappointment withthe decision to no longer house emergency workers. I find it bitterly ironic that the Christianstory begins with just such a case, of no room at theinn. The fact that we have been approached again onlyemphasizes the great need for available space to housethese volunteers. I know we have excuses: no showers, security,liability, etc. All of these are the same as thosebeing overcome with creative solutions by sisterchurches in our area. I am confident that we are atleast as creative as they. RV's have showers, security canbe paid, and Christianity is an endeavor fraught withrisk. If we lose the church in a tort suit because wegave refuge to health care workers, we should wear ourbadge of martyrdom proudly. While as an attorney I understand the potentialcomplications that perhaps led to this decision, as aChristian I can find no Biblical justification. Whatis a church if not a refuge for those displaced? ashelter from the storm? While we have done manythings to aid those in need, we are not called to giveout of our abundance, but to give sacrificially. Wehave not been asked to give shelter to the unwashedmasses, but merely to others who are givingsacrificially. How can we, in good conscience, deny refuge to thesevolunteers? To raise the trite but true question ofthe 90's, what would Jesus do? Do we really think Hisresponse would be, "Yes, I have a chapel, but you maynot use it"? To those who would make a stewardshipargument I ask, what worldly possessions did Jesushave? Finally, I question the authority of the Trustees toblock the housing of the health care workers. It ismy understanding that the Trustees are charged withimplementing the mission and ministries of the churchas defined by the deacons. I am aware of no vetopower. I pray that our deacons still believe that itis the mission of the church to provide shelter fromthe storm and refuge for the displaced, and not merelyto provide a comfortable and safe place for churchmembers. As we are faced again with a situation of "no room atthe inn," I would hope that we would provide a placefor the Lord to lay His head. When we provide such aplace to the least among us, whether it be stable orchapel, we live the gospel. As I have said, I canfind no scriptural justification for denying refuge tothose in need. We are faced with a unique time with uniqueopportunities to share the gospel in tangible ways. It is my hope that you will reconsider your decision,or perhaps more appropriately, leave the decision todeny refuge to the deacons or the church body as awhole.

After much gnashing of teeth. The powers that be relented and we housed Red Cross workers for about a month. I still have a bad taste in my mouth from the experience and a fear of that dark place in the heart of my church.