Gossip

I have been doing a lot of thinking about “gossip” recently. This week I will be team teaching about it.

I’m hoping to get some input from all those who read this post about these three questions:

1. What is gossip?

2. Is “venting” the same as gossip? If it isn’t, what is the line that separates the two? If it is, then is venting permissible for a Christian to do?

3a. Is it okay to gossip or speak negatively about someone in a confidential setting with someone in authority (a pastor or counselor, for example).
3b. If you have experience as a pastor or counselor, where is the line between allowing someone to “vent” and giving them permission to sin by gossiping?

I know these questions might bring out long answers and that can be time consuming, but I would really appreciate any advice/answers for one or all of these three questions or any other thoughts you may have about the issue of gossip.

Thanks!!

Lifecore

Our first 4 Central Lifecore was tonight. It was a thoroughly beautiful experience between a passioniate, deep conversation afterwards to listening to Monique’s crazy stories to listening to the girls I live with talk about their desires for our community.

Jess spoke about what it means to be “authentic,” which is our floor theme. I love that I am paired with Jess this year. I wouldn’t want to work with anyone else! I spoke about how each of us is responsible for making 4 Central the community that we want it to be. We are not choosing to join an already formed floor. We have the opportunity to create it. This is OURS. The girls shared what they want THEIR floor to be. Home, family, safety, belonging, encouraging, spiritually supportive, united… these girls are amazing. Lifecore will be about “iron sharpening iron,” and with guidance from Jess and myself, Lifecore really belongs to them.

My desire is that each of us walk away from 4 Central in May having been changed because we allowed God to use each one of us in eachother’s lives.