One of the most frustrating elements of a virtual faith community is how fragile it is. Had we all met face-to-face at some point in our aggregate journey, it would be different. Throughout my life I’ve had good close fellowships fade into the mists because the physical proximity ended. Without that constant contact, it’s hard to share the vital elements of our walk with the Lord.
Because I am so very alien to the world in which I live daily, this online community has been a real lifeline. It waxed and waned, and right now it seems waning. People who interacted with me in various ways have disappeared. There’s no sin in that; it’s just the way God leads us. Real life changes in our mission and calling can keep us from investing in the high maintenance of fellowship. Meanwhile, the honest truth is that there are no new people taking up the slack. I’m getting fewer emails, messages, etc.
Again, this is not to castigate anyone for doing what they feel God requires of them. I’m not whining. If you don’t need my fellowship, at the cost it requires, you really should move along. It’s in my best interest that other people follow their convictions. I think there is such significant moving and changing in the Kingdom right now that we really need to keep a loose grip on even our friendships. God be with you ’til we meet again, whether here, there or in the air.
Besides, you never know when something like this will bounce back with new folks joining the gang. The changes God is making in this world may necessitate a different kind of setting. So, I’m not cutting it all loose. I’m just making note here out loud so you’ll pray about something that seems to affect all of us in different ways. On the other hand, there are things I’m cutting loose aside from people, and it will affect how I relate to people.
Just a reminder: If you plan to stay active in the Radix Fidem community, be aware that the means to fellowship and communion will almost surely change. God is doing a mighty work; it’s going to change how we do what we do. I’ve got six email addresses you can use, and I don’t plan to shut down any of my blogging — yet. I’m open to Skype calls (br073n@outlook.com) and I’m trying to keep that line open as much as possible. If you need more from me, that’s a good way to do it.
I’m still on Facebook for now (as jedward.hurst), but I’m not sure I’ll stay there. My whole purpose there was a vector of outreach for my bikepacking activity. If I don’t see much return on that, I’ll drop it. Keeping in touch with my relatives is honestly secondary, though they would never understand that. Still, feel free to join me there if you like; it would change the value of that account for me.
I’ve always felt specially called of God for some divine service. At some point, that was formalized as a call to pastoral ministry. I invested a lot into that. Over the years as I tried to make it work in the real world, the door kept getting shut. My best understanding of what I was supposed to do never quite worked out. It was a conflict between perception and reality. Bit by bit, God peeled away from my perception the elements of my expectations, until we come to where I stand today. I’m still called to divine service, but it no longer has much to do with what people would expect under the label of “pastor.” The only thing left right now is presenting a witness to the gospel message. I’m not sure any of the common labels fit, so I’m not calling this mission anything but “teaching.” I’m quite certain being a teacher of faith is the bottom line, without which I’d cease being me altogether. So whatever is coming, it has to build from that.
Don’t feel bad if you think it’s time to graduate. My only interest is building His Kingdom; I have no use for any kingdom of my own.
Not that you’re looking for it necessarily, but loyalty is hard to come by, especially online. Consistency is a blessing when it’s the right kind. Internet “coin” is cheap and sometimes we find too many places to spend it.
Yes, loyalty is another thing altogether, and exceedingly rare.