UPDATE: Thanks for all the kind comments. I promise to use whatever gifts I have in this medium to continue encouraging all of you on the same journey, even if not the same way.
Dear Internet Monk Readers,
Over the next few weeks, while I am on sabbatical, I will be deciding the future of this web site.
As of today, it is quite likely (though not certain) that this site will come to the end of its almost 8 year run this summer. I am not resolved to this at this point, but I am considerably persuaded that the time may have come to bring Internet Monk.com to a close.
Should that actually be the decision, this site would go inactive in early July, and a new blog would begin, with an eventual redirect of all IM traffic to the new blog.
That blog would be a much more focused exploration of Jesus-Shaped Spirituality, i.e. the intersection of Jesus studies and spiritual growth and formation. This subject is animating and working in me right now, and I can see much good fruit and practical help available if I pursue that direction.
Several things are in the soup of this decision. Spooned up separately, they are…
1. I won’t write a book unless I can focus my blogging much more specifically to a potential topic than I have here at IM.
2. I believe I’ve said about all there is to say about the situation of evangelicals. It’s time to leave a more positive trail for others to follow into the post-evangelical future. Jesus Shaped Spirituality is that trail, I believe.
3. The success of this site is extremely satisfying to me, but that success is a two-edged sword. For some readers, unfortunately, IM has been too much about me and has become a source of hearing all the wrong things. When I find myself having to defend and explain statements like “I am rethinking my ideas about God in the light of Jesus” or “My children will never be Baptists” (an observation, not a command!) as if something were wrong with these ideas or as if I were renouncing the faith, then I know the focus has been obscured. When metaphors, ordinary preaching rhetoric and simple provocative observations become occasions for major misunderstandings of my whole stance toward God and the Kingdom, then I have to ask myself what this blog is going to be about in the future. Explaining and defending myself over and over? Sorry. No blog is so important that a person should have to sell his soul for the imprimatur of the comfortable.
When I actually have to start worrying what people are thinking when I say “Jesus has left the building…” then it’s time for a reconsideration of why I do this. I’m a writer, not a pacifier.
Correcting this problem would, again, put the focus on me and solve nothing. Blogs are wonderful tools, but they are a terrible place to be a celebrity 🙂
4. I have something worth saying about Jesus and what it means to know God through Jesus. I want this aspect of my faith and writing to come to the forefront, and a change of blog venues would be the best way to promote that change.
5. New blog = new banner from Michael Buckley, I hope 🙂
As I said, this isn’t in concrete. I want to consider the pros and cons of achieving my goals right here under a known “brand name” as compared to starting over with a new project. I will make up my mind over my sabbatical break and will let you all know whatever I decide.
My sabbatical will be a great time to think through these things, and I hope all of you will pray with and for me, and of course keep reading me no matter what the URL happens to be.
Papa’s shalom on us all,
Michael
The Internet Monk Archives 
Michael,
Blessings on your journey. Whatever forum you choose to continue to write we will be encouraged and discontented for good measure.
Peace.
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I have read, commented, and lurked. I agree with much of what you say, but I must add my voice one last time. The entire evangelical world is not tainted. The entire older church was not pure. Each contains both good and the not so good. I am not accusing you of “painting them all with one broad brush”, but it seems that many of your readers do that very thing. That, in my opinion, is wrong. To anyone who would revile me for that comment, save your vitriol, since I won’t be returning here anymore, it would be a waste of your time.
Personally, although I will miss reading your posts, I believe with your recent revelations about your life, maybe it would be a good thing for you to “start anew” as it were.
Peace.
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IM,
I am a devotee of your blog, am glad it will be archived, and look forward to seeing what you will write now. God bless your ministry and thank you.
Will there be blogs in Heaven?
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I also held me breath and my heart sunk when I started to read you were going to discontinue this blog that has meant so much to me. But in reading further I did completely understand your reasons and I am very excited for you to start your new venture.
God bless you on your sabbatical and may God clearly lead you in the direction he can best use you.
Looking forward to seeing what comes next for Michael Spencer.
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Michael
My internet life is quite simple these days. I manage through visiting a football site theworldgame.com.au (round ball football!) and internetmonk. While I am a football tragic it is IM that has helped me more than I can say.
My relationship with the institutionalised church is tenuous at best. I can honestly say that IM has been my lifeline to Jesus. At this point in my life hanging on to Jesus is all I have and even then its just the hem of his garment at best. Your site has kept me close to reality and for that I thank you.
Its funny but suddenly I realise the extent I have come to rely on your site (yes yes I know I need to be relying on Jesus yadda yadda but God uses all kind of things in our daily work to show us his son). Maybe its time to begin a journey less reliant on a daily dose of your honesty and searching and more on a Jesus shaped spirituality.
Any ay thanks. Am really going to miss internetmonk. Is there a virtual resting place for dearly departed blogs? 🙂
Adrian
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I literally hold my breath in horror. *sighs* Your blog was the first blog I ever read. The only Christian blog I read daily. At the time my notion of Christianity shaken to the core, your blog gave me balance. I have no spiritual home in my own community – Muslim surrounding- ; your blog is the place to go to find some solace.
I usually don’t post comments. I posted a comment once a while ago. I feel the need to comment to say thank you for your ministry all these times. A huge humungous Thank You.
I wish you all the best in your new direction and I will look forward to your new site.
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Now wait just a dog-gone minute!
If you go, then who the heck are we gonna discuss Law and Gospel issues with!?
This is one wacky Lutheran who would miss you very much.
Thank you very muchly!
– Steve Martin
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thanks for a great site. it has meant a lot to me, my wife, and my community of lost post-evangelicals. we left a church about 5 years ago after a painful and disillusioning experience with a church. particularly the existential moments in your writing have been a balm on some wounds for me.
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May 17, 2008
Michael,
I want to be among the many to thank you for the
IM blog and I don’t have words to express what all
of your writing, your wisdom, your insight and knowledge
have ment to me since I found this site about three
years ago and quite honestly, it has been the one
thing that has challenged me in every aspect of my
christian walk – especially as related to evangelicals
and their churches – I are one – SBC born and raised
but realizing that there’s so much more than SBC and
more than evangelicalism out there.
Thanks for putting the challenge before all of your
readers to have a closer walk with Christ to move
towards a Jesus shaped spirituality – Jesus as the center of our lives – of all we do. I hope that, perhaps, you can continue here but I also understand
the need make a change at this time and I look forward
to the new blog as well and look forward to more
excellent writing and insight into a Jesus shaped
spirituality.
My best to you on your sabbatical – hope it’s a truly
wonderful time of rest and renewal and I look forward
to having you back fresh, rested and focused. Hope
to meet you sometime – I find myself near the area on
occasion with the pipe organ work and will send you
a note sometime when I’m going to be close enough to
stop in.
Peace to you – and my thanks again!
The Guy from Knoxville
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A post evangelical is someone sorting through the evangelical circus with the resources of the larger, deeper, older church as his/her guide.
Can I go now? 🙂
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Bob:
My problem isn’t happening on the blog, but off the blog.
But yes, I think those of us who value blog discussion are probably fooling ourselves.
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When metaphors, ordinary preaching rhetoric and simple provocative observations become occasions for major misunderstandings of my whole stance toward God and the Kingdom, then I have to ask myself what this blog is going to be about in the future.
Just one little point, Michael: The problem you mention here is not just a problem with IM. I have seen it on every single blog that tries to discuss issues of spiritual substance that I have ever read. I am just about convinced that this is a problem endemic to all serious blogs with spritual content. I can guarantee you that this problem with follow you to your new blog, if you start one. I know you have a lot of other considerations in your decision, but for what it’s worth, that’s my take on this particular one.
For what it’s worth, I’m pretty disaffected with Evangelicalism myself, but I just don’t know of any other viable game in town. So I would not like to see the end of another voice calling for its reform. If you do decide to end IM, please don’t go before you tell us exactly what a post-evangelical is. I suspect I am one myself. 🙂 That’s just my two cents. Pray and do what you have to do. Thanks for IM, either way.
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As a practicing Pentecostal, Assembly of God, I find your site very helpful to help keep me on track. I have recently returned to the church after a very long sabbatical due to a total disenchanment with evanglism per se. I found your site just about the time I returned to church. I am looking forward to more “Jesus shaped theology” as that is the path my studies have taken me on during my time away from the church. I am not in pastorate only a self educated member of the laity. So I just say keep on keepin on.
huggles (cuz we all need them every day)
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Michael:
Thank you for the work of this blog. I read it almost every day and frequently pass it on to colleagues. Your thoughts are thought-provoking.
Let me pass on a thought of my own: the concept of a Jesus Shaped Spirituality needs some link to the notion of the Communion of Saints. We are not in this alone. We stand together with Christians of all times and of all kinds.
In my own life I have found the exploration of Christian spiritualities of the past as one way to conform my own spirituality to that of Jesus the Christ. No matter which way I look in Christian Spirituality, I see men and women struggling with your issues and my issues, whether it be in 21st century America or in 4th century Cappadocia or Edessa.
Until we realize that this “communion” is identical with the “community” we all seek, we will, in my opinion, always feel dislocated and somewhat homeless. Our connections are not just in the present, not just in the past, but in the future, too.
Thanks, Michael. Enjoy your sabbatical. I took a six month sabbatical twelve years ago and it stretched out to six years! Use the time to deepen your relationship with Jesus and His church.
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Just to tell you the current state of my thinking:
This site will remain as the podcast front page. The podcast will continue as IM Radio. What remains of old site content will be available here in archives, but no new content will be added. The sidebar will widget you into the content of the new site Jesusshaped.com, which will be focused on anything related to the intersection of historical Jesus studies and Spiritual growth/formation/discipleship.
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Michael:
Please accept one fan’s humble tribute, and prayers for JFS to impact tomorrow’s church as much, if not more, than iM impacted yesterday’s.
Grace and Peace to you, brother.
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Michael,
This is my first time leaving a reply. After reading your post, I knew I had to. I remember way back, pre-IM, when you did a study in the Gospel of Mark that I found insightful and worth reading. Internet Monk has been one of the few blogs I regularly visit. I consistently listen to you podcasts as well. If the blog ends, it was a good run. The exploration of Jesus Shaped Spirituality is some thing I look foward to. When it come down to it, Jesus is the one who truely matters. He calls us to be a disciple among other disciples rather than a personality/celeb (being the later seems to bring about train wrecks more often than not). So I think this is a great direction that you are going in. And I want to thank you for what you have contributed to my spiritual walk.
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Hope you don’t mind me bringing some secular ideas in here Michael, but I work in a marketing agency. “Internet Monk” is an amazingly great “brand” name. I think it fits even better with where you want to go “A Jesus shaped spirituality” than where you have come from in the past. Give it a fresh look, new header, new subtitle, archive everything but blogs related to Jesus shaped spirituality, and carry on.
By the way, I have only been following you for a few months. Even so, my wife now likes to call me an Internet Monk disciple. Not quite true, you and I would disagree on a few things, but I like the way that you prompt me to think further about a topic that I might not have otherwise considered. I have learned a lot in the last few months.
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Michael,
I am glad to read that you plan to keep the site up. I have found many thought-provoking and challenging things as I read here. I appreciate your honesty and encouraging words as well. I look forward to see what you have to say about Jesus-shaped spirituality. I have been on a journey myself for the last few months to know Jesus more as He really is. It was inspired in part by you and in part by a good friend who used to be my boss. I have found myself delving into the Hebraic Christian roots studies and studying how it relates and speaks about who God is and always has been. Shalom and may Abba bless you during your sabbatical. I will hold you and your family in my prayers before our Father.
Jeff M
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Michael,
I appreciate your blog. Although some people could be put off by your provocative statements, they are provocative because they are honest and true. There are not many voices of measured, reasoned faith.
I look forward to whichever direction you intend to go.
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David, thanks for gracious words from someone I greatly respect. I’ve got the lemons. Now let’s see if I can build a lemonade stand:-)
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You have been narrowing the focus for some months now, and this seems to be the most evident path the Lord has been preparing. The Jesus-shaped spirituality theme hold great promise and may in time give as much to the church as I-Monk has to the last gasps of 20th century American evangelicalism. I think it is an essential and too often left out aspect of our call to live and make disciples. Your transparency, clarity and insightfulness through that lens will continue to bless the entire Body of Christ.
Blessings and prayers for restorative grace on the sabbatical!
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I just found your blog within the past few weeks. Selfishly, I hope you return after your sabbatical and pick up where you leave off because I enjoy your writing, but whatever you decide, may God be with you.
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As a visitor here and a lurker on BHT for what seems like many years now, I want you to know how I’ve enjoyed (and sometimes been exasperated by) the things you have written. You are in my prayers as you begin your sabbatical.
You mention wanting your blogging to contribute to a book project. Are you under contract for a book? I’m an editor, and I’d like to talk to you. Email me if you get a chance.
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Michael,
I have been reading regularly for about five years now. I started reading in Lebanon, before I came to the United States, and I just want to say that God has worked through you to bless so many lives! الØمد لله!
Since I have been a reader, your blog has been an impetus for me to ask many questions of myself. Like you, I don’t have all the answers. In fact, I may never have those answers in this life, but they are questions worth asking nonetheless.
Thanks for the time and effort you put into your work. I am so glad you have been blessed to be a blessing. The Lord has used your work to bring me closer to Him and I am looking forward to reading it in the future.
السلام عليكم ورØمت الله Ùˆ بركاته
(Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings!)
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Michael,
I will very much miss the reach and variety of the topics you have explored so far on this site, and ask, as many others have, that you leave the archives accessible. There is so much there that is thought-provoking, entertaining, wise, and useful. I look forward to reading about your continuing spiritual journey, and hope your sabbatical brings you the clarity you seek.
Peace to you and yours.
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The Countdown to Podcast Number 100 cut short at #96? Say it ain’t so! Actually, you could just skip straight to #100 – it’s your podcast.
I’ve read this site for its well articulated, well written, intelligent, and passionate dispatches from one man’s journey. I join those encouraging you to continue write about that which you can write about passionately. If that leads to a new, more focused site, go for it.
As for Michael Patton, he’ll obviously have to shut down P&P to launch a new blog.
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So, is the going to be a special council to decide which posts are canonical and which are apocryphal?
Seriously, I look forward to what comes in the days ahead. Enjoy your sabbatical.
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Michael, I look forward to whatever you put your hand to as I writer. The new theme of your future investigations, “Jesus-shaped spirituality,” is something I’m personally excited about too, so I’m particularly eager for this next stage of your blogging life.
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I will be looking forward to the new direction and whatever ink dries from your pen.
Peace to you as well.
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Michael,
Great idea! Change is always unsettling, and it will be sad to see the iMonk retire, but the new site sounds pretty cool. Best wishes on your Sabbatical as you decide what’s best and what’s next.
I appreciate the personal nature of your blog. I like that you’re not afraid to ask tough questions or to be real about what is on your heart. Good things are ahead!
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Dear IM while I rejoice on the new line of thought, perhaps the most important line of thought is that of Jesus. I can also relate that one can only say so much on a particular topic. I will certainly miss the provocation of thought that many of your blogs have brought to me and those that I share with others. Many good discussions have ensued.
My only observation would be don’t let these blogs disappear into the mists of cyperspace. There are new generations coming, they will have the same issues and dilema’s that we now face. While they may have a different point of view, there is much wisdom you have given. Let it be there for a new discovering generation, either spiritual or numeric.(generation)
God continue to bless you, get the refreashing you seek.
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This blog has become a daily source of thought provoking questions and to some degree has contributed to changes in my life.
do what you need to do by all means but do not leave us yet.
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Another ditto on keeping the essays accessible. Please. Thank you.
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Say it ain’t so!
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I’be been reading your blog for many years and it has been a big help in my own journey, for me it has helped to recover the intimacy and simple faith in Jesus I once had and lost. Just wanted to say thank you.
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Tony Kummer is convincing me to leave the site up and use it to build the new one. That’s likely to be the case, but I have to tell you people I am deleting stuff every day and if there is something you want, I’d suggest you copy and paste. (You can write me and ask if the piece you want is on the “hit” list.)
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I haven’t felt like this since the last episode of “Seinfeld.”
For my own selfish reasons I hope IM gets a reprieve. I will miss this site greatly as it’s at the top of my daily “must read” list. IM has helped me greatly in wrestling with my own issues with contemporary evangelical Christianity, and assured me that I wasn’t the only one feeling the things I felt.
That said, I respect your desire to move in a different direction in your own spiritual journey, and I’m certain I’ll continue to benefit greatly from your new endeavors. Thank you, Michael, for your honesty, vulnerability and for being a breath of fresh air in an often polluted blogosphere.
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Michael,
I started reading this blog just a few months ago. I found out about you while listening to an interview you did with Steve Brown. This is going to sound funny, but the thing that caught my attention was your accent. Being from southern West Virginia, and experiencing many of the same things as you, I immediately found a voice that was quite literally speaking my language, and saying things that I’ve been thinking for some time. I’ve enjoyed reading these posts, and look forward to a new forum. It seems that one can only “rage against the machine” for so long, and then its time to set off in a different direction.
So to answer the question, “Can anything good come out of Appalachia?” The answer is a resounding “Yes.” Thanks for the work you’ve been doing. I look forward to where this journey will go.
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I am like Aaron- I don’t post much (Google Reader) but I read your site daily. Your site has been a remarkable source of encouragement and help to me in the last 2-3 years. I would follow you to any URL. I do hope that your “essays” would remain accessible, because I have just scratched the surface of them and have many more I would like to read.
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The new blog/project idea seems like an awesome possibility to me. There are still many, many spiritual and ecclesiological questions that have to be asked following all the ‘New Quest’ and ‘Ancient Future’ type studies that are happening. Obviously Wright, Witherington, Dunn all the way down to Shane Claiborne are driving an interesting conversation, but there is still a lot of ‘void’ in there. I hope Jesus gives you some clarity, all though he tends to just muddle things, during the sabbatical.
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The internet monk site has meant so much to me. So many of your posts have expressed thoughts I hadn’t dared to put into words yet. I am more real as a Christian today because of your courage in expressing so much.
Thank you for pouring out your thoughts and putting yourself on the line in so many ways.
I look forward to whatever the future has in store for you–and selfishly hope my favorite IM posts will make the cut when you’re archiving.
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I would be sad to see this site go but happy to see you be able to focus on the Jesus-Shaped Spirituality thing. And I think it would be good for you to be able to focus on something. I know as a writer you only have so much mojo, and if you want to write a book then focusing a blog on something more specific could be very useful. So bring on whatever it is you feel is the best thing to do.
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WOW! You had me depressed there for a minute. I am so glad to hear you aren’t leaving the blogging world completely, but just refocusing.
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IMonk, you may be ready to move on from the post-evangelical wilderness to the promised land of Jesus-shaped spirituality, but what about those still wandering in the desert? They need some assurance that they’re not crazy when they have misgivings about their evangelical subculture.
I don’t blame you for wanting to move on, but I hope there is someone with your unique insights and abilities who can take up the old cause.
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As I first read it, I thought you were saying that you are done with blogging for good. But I think it would be great to see something a little more focused. Your Jesus-shaped spirituality stuff of late has been really good. I’ve actually stolen a little of it for messages. I’m looking forward to see the new blog. If, in fact, you decide to go ahead with it.
-brandon
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I’ve been reading your blog for about a year or so, and I’ve enjoyed and been challenged by what you say. I appreciate your thoughts on a Jesus-shaped spirituality and I look forward to the new blog.
May God give you peace and wisdom on your sabbatical.
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Michael,
Others have said this, but: PLEASE keep the archives of this site around, and PLEASE do not have them go away around August. That would be a horrible waste of some wonderful material. EVen if you move what you consider the good stuff to a new site, then (A) how can you tell what different people will have found “good”, and (B) it’ll be hard to find articles whose URLs have changed.
Anyway, I wish you all blessing in whatever path you choose.
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Michael,
I discovered your writing in 2002, you have edified me several times in that period. I think your intuition on honing the focus of your writing is exactly right. Jesus-Shaped Spirituality is what this world needs, and writing in a forward-looking, positive approach is, in my opinion, the right path.
Peace and blessings for your sabbatical
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Please, if you do, leave the old archive up. It is amazingly helpful to me, as I’m in a church that is looking toward the evangelical world to see what we can gain, to have your warnings about what it’s important not to lose.
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I just started reading your blog in the last couple of days….
I had returned from a church sponsored retreat and was extremely depressed because I felt so disconnected to God and so much less spiritual than everyone else there, because despite being dragged up to worship and dance freely with everyone else, I felt like I was an alien in the midst of some strange and unfamiliar ritual. I’ve felt like something was very wrong with me.
Your post on freedom in worship encouraged me.
I’m glad I found this site and do hope that if you do decide to move on, that you will archive your blog for the benefit of others.
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Yes.
IM Radio will cease with the website. It may be done after the next episode.
CC Apologetics quite likely will continue.
A podcast will accompany the new web site, obviously fairly tightly focused on the study of the historical Jesus and Christian formation/spirituality.
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I’ve been reading your blog for years now, but I’ve never posted before. Just wanted to let you know that your blog has been a tremendous encouragement to me over the past few years. Thanks for all of your hard work, honesty, and quality writing.
One question: do you have any thoughts right now on the future of Coffee Cup Apologetics?
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May you have the wisdom and shalom of the Father in your decision. Sounds like it might just come down to the heritage you want to build. Not a bad motive.
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IM would remain up as an inactive site for a moderate period of time (about 6 weeks), but it would be gone before the middle of August or so.
The best IM material would migrate to an archive on the new site.
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What would you do with the archives from IM? Would I need to save the ones I want to save before you close it down, or will you leave them up but close all future interaction?
Pax Christi,
Eric
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Hi Michael:
I think I understand what you’re saying. Just wanted to let you know that I have appreciated your posts. I especially liked your individuality and vunerability. Your honesty is a breath of fresh air for me, as I am from a less Christian populated, and worse, less grace-ful Christians around, India.
May our Lord direct your steps as you continue to trust him, as you’re re-thinking some things.
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If indeed you do stop blogging at IM will you leave a way to access all of your old posts?
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Hmmm . . . not so sure I like this. Don’t know what I would do. Not only would my daily IM be taken away, but what would this mean for me. I try to do everything you do, but I don’t know nuttin’ ’bout spirituality. I just like big words.
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Michael,
Thanks for all your writing over the last 8 years. I’ve been a regular reader for about 5 of those years, and I’ve benefited greatly. Thanks for your honest writing these last 8 years.
If you decide to stop writing at internetmonk.com, will the archives still stick around? It would be a pity to lose all your essays from the last 8 years!
Peace,
Myron
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I dunno… sounds as if a fair amount of the reason you’re thinking of shutting this blog off and turning another one on is ’cause the nutjobs are deliberately misunderstanding you, and you want to be free of them.
I totally understand that. I’ve heard from my share of nutjobs over the years. I’ve also turned off and on blogs ’cause I switched from self-hosted to Xanga to Blogger. But they kept following me from blog to blog. So I did one little thing, and it drove them all away: I stopped letting them comment.
Actually, I stopped letting anyone comment, which was a shame. I appreciated the productive comments. But at the time I felt so oppressed by the nutjobs that blogging wasn’t working for me anymore. In any case, the nuts went away, my friends stuck around, and when I finally turned the comments back on–with dire warnings that I was ready to delete any comment that fit my definition of “nuts”–the nutjobs stayed away. (For the most part.)
Maybe a sabbatical from comments might help clarify things. I dunno. Worked for me, though.
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Michael,
Your blog was the first Christian blog I was introduced to and I have been blessed by your thoughts ever since. I want to affirm your decision for a sabbatical, and trust that God will bless you richly in it.
And I want to encourage you to pursue the Jesus-shaped spirituality blog. Frankly, I was amazed you didn’t get a whole list of ‘amens’ when you blogged about it earlier. My youth group leader drummed into us ‘The goal of a Christian is to become more like Jesus.’ I’m sure that I and the blogosphere will benefit from any insights the Lord gives you.
Thanks for being so open.
And if you do decide to close this site, please give me warning so I can download all your essays so I can keep passing them to my pastor friends!
May you know the Father’s shalom in the coming months.
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