There are other things that I am want to say right now, but I am editing because there are too many Calvary people who read this. I am sick of deciding what stuff is useful to other youth pastors and weighing that against who I might offend. So I have an idea that I want to throw by you.
Squarespace allows me to set up different areas for registered users. I was wondering if any of you would be interested in getting the “unedited” Shane (yes I know that is scary) in a separate journal. The cool thing is that this journal would be closed to everyone except members so maybe we could have a more free conversation about the issues of what it means to be a youth pastor.
If this is something you might be interested in please leave a comment below.
I’m in. Do I get a secret decoder ring too?
Don’t edit. Most things need to be said and alot of people need to hear.
THoug hyou have zero clue who I am, i have been reading your blog for several weeks now, and would enjoy an un-constrained dialogue on the state of your ministry. So I’m in, and I want the secret decoder ring too!
I understand how you feel. There are things that I would love to say in my blog that I am not able to say. Because of the people who could be reading it. So if you need a private site, go for it!!!!
I concur. Go for it. My only hesitation is it leading to a lack of accountability to your congregation, but I think that the registered users could help keep you accountable.
That said, I think it’s important to have open avenues of communication for professionals without fear of backlash. So, bring it on! (And I’m all about the decoder ring, too! lol)
The problem is always going to be that people from my church reading this will know what is going on no matter how general I am and that will hurt people who are innocent bystanders to my rants. I wish there was some other way, but I can’t really see it right now.
Of course except for me to tell Calvary people to get off this site like I have been trying to tell them for 2 years now. But I have yet to have one person respect that so I end up with this problem yet again.
Of course they won’t respect that. This is a public forum. You might as well be skywriting. I agree with Denise that some things need to be said, but I’d try to be wise as to what settings they’re communicated.
And yet, I yearn for a safe place to talk about ministry too.
I’m in! Your blog has gotten me through a lot of tough spots in youth ministry…you’ve given me the freedom to make mistakes, and that’s a ministry in itself! I totally understand about needing the freedom to speak candidly.