Several of my reflections have been generating some heat lately. I don't mind the controversy, and I think it helps to make me a better person. The controversy iteself does not bother me - if I'm wrong than I have learned from the comments, and if I'm right, I can hold my own.

But I do wonder if it's good for the site and it's mission, and I do wonder if it serves the higher purpose of the site. Let's be clear - the goal of this site is to win people for Christ. The articles, the questions, the devotionals, etc, all serve that goal. But does it serve the non Christian to come to the site and see Christians arguing about Harry Potter or church membership? I'm not sure it does.

Part of me thinks that reflections are nothing more than my own personal Blog, and if I'm not really offering anything of real value to non-Christians then it's arrogant and self-indulgent and I need to focus on other areas.

I will think and pray and collect your comments, and I may decide to scrap that part of the site. Please let me know what you think. You opinions are very important. Thanks.

9/11/2007 10:16:06 AM by arsindelve, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

My reflection didn't generate any "heat". Maybe it's just you ;)

9/12/2007 9:57:22 AM by tom, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/26/2007

I received the following from someone by email, so I will post it here and respond below:

I was unsuccessful when trying to login to your request for comments re: reflections, so hope you don't mind comments here.
A "Reflection" is, in my understanding an opinion, or observation. You are not "arrogant or self-indulgent"- unless you assume your reflection is non-negotiable and absolute truth, with a scriptural basis, which maybe then should be included in the Reflection. A comment at the end is "welcomed"- which says to me that you expect some feed-back and maybe some "heat"- especially with heated topics. If these comments are monitored and edited or censored, then only what you choose to print, will be printed-thus giving you absolute control. I think there should be more concern about "Reflections" written by "Pastors..theology professors..students etc" that are printed WITHOUT being reviewed--or comments in the Discussion format that apparently aren't monitored, but appear as they come in (my understanding)--do non-Christians have the ability to access all these areas?--then will they not view "off base" comments or "argumentative" dialogue there, if it appears? Perhaps monitoring everything before printed will be the only way you will be able to keep your web-site true to your original vision.

9/13/2007 9:24:25 AM by arsindelve, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

My response:

With respect to not being able to login, I would say that logging in is one of the areas where we have had the most difficulty, technologically, and I'm not sure why. It's not a difficult concept, but for some reason, it's not been working well for some people. If you will permit me, I'd love to work with you to solve the problem. Would you kindly email me and let me know exactly what happens when you try to login or create an account? I really want to make sure this feature works well.

Thank you for your comments about reflections. You're right that we permit comments explicitly for the purpose of allowing people to let us know what they think, good and bad. You're also right that reflections are intended as opinion pieces and so I don't mind dissenting opinions - they help all of us to grow as a person. I do wonder at that value they bring. Maybe there is value in allowing people to see the (polite) debate that goes on among Christians, so they can see we are real people? I will need to think and pray some more about this.

The purpose of moderating comments has always been to prevent comments which are intended to vulgar, offensive or abusive. So far, there have been none, praise God. I have never prevented a comment from appearing simply because I disagreed with what was written, and I will never do so as long as the person's intention is not to deliberately offend. The only comment I have ever deleted was one which addressed my personal life and that's because I'm not prepared to discuss my own personal issues in all areas of the site, only where it's pertinent (for example, my testimonial or perhaps in some discussions).

On a related topic, there was a time when this was "my" site, but I've done everything I can to distance myself from that perspective. The website now belongs to the company, and I am responsible to the board of directors. Though I am still the main moderator and contributor, it is no longer legally my site, and I think that's a very good thing. There are people to whom I am now responsible and they have the power and desire to make sure I stay true to our mission statement, our statement of faith and the Bible. I have gone to considerable time, trouble and expense to incorporate a company and make myself answerable to the board not just to give the appearance that I no longer own the site, but to make that a legal fact. I hope that helps should you have any concerns about censorship or vision. This will only increase in time as we have members in the company (which is different from members of this site) who will vote for the board of directors, and the real power will be in the membership of the organization. I fear the day when the members would vote for new leadership and I would lose my position, but hey, that's reality. If that could never actually happen, then I have not truly done what I intended, which is to make this site no longer "mine". Thus, I have an incentive to do a great (and an honest job) so the members will continue to vote for me.

Anyway, I've rambled because I thought you should know what's been happening with the new Ministry since I last talked to you. Thanks again for your comments. You've given me some good things to think about. I have enjoyed your many comments recently and have enjoyed having you on the site. I hope we can get your login issues sorted out soon.

9/13/2007 9:50:02 AM by arsindelve, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

A little bit of heat showimg the diversity of Christians can be a good thing... its only when things go too far is where it becomes counter productive. However.... as a newbie to the site, in some cases, a ministry only wants to show one specific narrow view... I don't see that here, but there are places where that occurs. I think you're doing a super job.

5/28/2008 12:10:01 AM by mnphysicist, Member of Delve into Jesus since 5/28/2008

Welcome to the site, MNPhysicist, and thanks for your comments. It's great to have you here!

Since that discussion last August, we've changed directions in Reflections. I used to write most of them, and I tended to lean towards controversial topics without the experience, research and skill to back it up. When people took issue with my position, I was not qualified to respond. I think that is why I was so keen to put an end to it. I felt like an impostor - someone writing about controversial topics without the right tools to do it properly.

Since then, most reflections have been written by a full-time professional writer by the name of Rusty Wright. He writes with more clarity and authority than I do, and he is able to back up everything we writes with reliable sources and Biblical insight. Consequently, there have been far fewer people offended and upset by what he writes (none, to be precise). So, I think the problem solved itself. So long as Rusty is happy to let us share his work, (and I focus on other things), this problem will have gone away.

Thanks again for the kind words - it's greatly appreciated.

5/28/2008 8:54:53 AM by arsindelve, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

Hey Arsin - I am at once intrigued and scared by potentially controversial material. I don't have any desire to engage in ugly debate with others but, would enjoy reading anything off the beaten path that may engage the thought processes. Are those scandalous Reflections gone for ever?

I can respect your opinions on what is best for creating a harmonious vibe on this site, and wouldn't encourage you to play the imposter role. However, I agree with MNPhysicist's point about benefiting from diverse opinions. I've visited a few other websites recently and have not found much that has held my attention.

Is there any chance that writing on hot topics helps you and the reader grow in expertise? Surely, we should all be able to learn to express disagreement and accept constructive criticism with Christian maturity. Perhaps we need opportunities to practice these skills; perhaps this not your intention for Delve Into Jesus. It would be great if you could increase the volume of material on the site, for those who may scan the site regularly hoping for new content; especially when other sites disappoint. Of course, my thought is that divergent ideas and modes of communicating will increase the audience who will respond to the one true message.

5/28/2008 10:11:35 AM by Ryan, Member of Delve into Jesus since 12/30/2007