Corbaley Calls it Quits… With Blogging.
July 25th, 2006 | Posted in » Baptist Issues
Well, we now have one less trustee blogging about the IMB. Jerry Corbaley is calling it quits with blogging (at least about IMB issues), and plans to delete all of his posts and all of the comments about such within the next few days.
What a shame! Blogging provides all of us with such insight into the lives and thoughts of others… even if you didn’t agree with Jerry, at least, through his blog, you could get some understanding of where he came from on IMB matters.
Jerry… if by chance you read this… please don’t delete the IMB-related posts from your blog. It was nice to have your thoughts and opinions on IMB issues available for reading by the Baptist community. Deleting these, regardless of your stated motives, will leave many who have not found the ability to trust you at your word (for whatever reasons) questioning your motives that much further, leading to an even greater distrust and questioning of the IMB BOT as a whole. I can’t state it any more clearly… this is a bad idea!
I realize that you’ve taken a lot of heat for your thoughts, words, and actions. I realize that you have become a polarizing figure. I realize that many have written or spoken things about you that were quite harsh and unwarranted. To that, I simply must state: you have a LOT in common with Wade Burleson in that regard. Maybe that can be a bond of commonality you two can use to reconcile!
You see, Wade’s candor about these matters through blogging, while reviled by some, is appreciated by a wide Baptist audience. Your candor is appreciated by that same audience as well… even if a portion of that audience does not agree with what you have to say. Yes, the dialogue arising from blogging makes us vulnerable to criticism, even to personal attacks… but dialogue is one of the main things that promotes understanding, trust, and reconciliation. Please don’t slam the door shut on that possibility!
2 Responses to “Corbaley Calls it Quits… With Blogging.”
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By Jerry Corbaley on Jul 25, 2006
Hi John,
I am withdrawing from hosting a blog on IMB issues.
A servant can work in the barn or serve at the table, but not at the same time.
For a fuller understanding of my reasons, I recommend chapter 13 of my book, “The Most Excellent Way”.
Regarding your third paragraph, I view it as “without wood a fire dies out”. I also regret the need to withdraw.
Philippians 1:9-11
By John on Jul 25, 2006
Jerry…
I can’t pretend to understand your motives, know your heart, or have any insight into what God is leading you to do, but I just cannot see the good in your withdrawal from public dialogue through your blog about IMB issues.
Due to your position as a trustee and your committee responsibilities, your words and actions will continue to be of keen interest to a wide cross-section of Baptists. As I’m sure you understand (we’ve had a brief comment exchange regarding this at one point on your blog), “official” information from the BOT (press releases, minutes, etc.) often leaves interested Baptists frustrated, as it either does not provide enough specific information or it is simply not timely enough to satisfy. What I’m getting at is this: I fear that by removing the “wood” of your blog from the fire (which, while although burning hot for those standing very close, provides pleasing warmth to many a bit further away), the dialogue which feeds the fire will find far more explosive and dangerous fuel elsewhere (assumptions, innuendos, etc., based on the “official” information so many find lacking).
Anyway, I hope and trust that your decision has been made after much careful thought and prayer, and that your withdrawal from blogging about IMB issues truly is in accordance with God’s will.