A message to my students
Posted: December 7th, 2009 | Author: James Duncan | 13 Comments »I apologize to you that this has happened during finals week. None of us needed the additional stress right now.
To those of you who attend NewSpring, my complaint is not with you or the many other people who also attend. It is strictly with a set of staffers and insiders who seem to have lost their senses in dealing with me and my family. We have friends and neighbors who attend NewSpring that we continue to love and support.
If you’re worried that I might think less of you because you go the NewSpring, I don’t and I won’t. If you don’t believe me, then just don’t tell me. For most of you, I have no idea what church you attend, and our class discussions never make it necessary for us to reveal that kind of information about each other.
To my former students who work at NewSpring, I still love you guys and don’t want you to be shy about talking to me. You, more than most, know who I am beyond this blog. I understand if you don’t want to, but if any of you want to call or meet for coffee, I’d love to do that. In terms of what you do with media (the area we learned together), I am continually impressed with what you do.
To my current students, a lot of people will be asking me questions in the next couple of days. You can cut in line. If there’s anything that you want to ask me, come by my office and we can talk there, or maybe we can gather a few of us together at Java City.
Oh, and perhaps now you understand why I’m not a Twitter fan.
Its okay Mr. Duncan you know I’ve always got your back! and I needed something to read in between studying so intensely for tomorrow’s exam which I’m looking forward to by the way. Thanks for being honest with us all.
I’m up for another java city meet….
Anyone else?
I’m down for Java City. Just let me know when.
I’m down for Java City.. just tell me when
Hey Dr. Duncan! I’ve got your back too! Thanks for all you do at school! You’ve made a positive impact in my life!
Hey Dr. Duncan! Remember me? [JD: Of course!] I’m behind you 100% too. I hate all this has happened to you and your family! We’re praying for you guys!
I hope you don’t fear that this will decrease any of our respect for you. I guess I can’t speak for Com students as a whole, but I think most of us are here to support and love you. I am praying for your family, and for Newspring, and I hope that this is resolved in a way that will bring no further harm to either of you or the image of the church in our community.
…Now whether I will re-open my Titter account “TheRealJDuncan” and continue my posting wholly depends on the grades I make on my finals, of course.
I applaud the way you’ve been talking about this “real life” stuff. Wish I was able to attend your classes. As one who has dealt with the “Church” in much the same way, I think you are both a breath of fresh air and a class act!
Thanks for all this.
I second what Micah said! Very well put! Dr. Duncan, you and you’re family are in my prayers!
Hi Dr. Duncan!
It’s another former student of yours just wanting to offer you a bit of encouragement and a friendly “hello!” You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers! You were always so kind to me when I needed it most and it will always be appreciated! I will continue to keep up with you by way of Pajama Pages.
P.S. Have a Merry Christmas!
Can we get a date going for some students to meet at Java city? Anyone interested can email me at my school email address and we can get something worked out. Does that work Dr. Duncan? I’ll be by your office soon.
Amanda Johnston and I both support you fully. We hope your family has a wonderful holiday.
Mr. Duncan,
I am sorry to hear of all that has happened. I first read about it on Newspring’s blog, but I wanted to find the story of the other person and discovered it was you. You probably don’t remember me, but I was in your COM 101 class a couple years ago.
I have been attending Newspring for awhile, but before I came to college, my parents separated my Senior year due to my father’s affair. He was always in church every Sunday and I found out that he lived his life as a huge hypocrite. My mother, on the other hand, had a much more spiritually rich life, but didn’t make it to church as much because she was sick with Fibromyalgia a lot. When news came out about the affair, people at church seemed to side with my dad, because he had twisted the truth and they knew him better. My mom began getting letters and emails with verses that said “God hates divorce” and things about forgiveness. They had no idea what it was like to be living with it. I hated feeling like people were talking behind my back and being fake when I attended.
I had a lot of problems with the church, and I’m still trying to overcome them. All I can say is that the Church is a body of believers, but are still people that are flawed. We all make mistakes even as Christians. We aren’t perfect by any means, just forgiven.
On one side, I can see how many would turn hatred upon you because of this blog. It clearly states opposing opinions, and people always want to think they’re right, especially in a mass group. But I applaud opposition and questioning, with anything. It helps evaluate truth. I believe that opinions and different views should be discussed openly when it comes to faith, to truly search for substance.
I still attend Newspring, but I think all that happened to you and your family is wrong, and I hope that they will take more into consideration in the future and try to make it right someway. I am glad to see how you are handling it with grace and a good attitude. I am praying for you to remain strong. This whole situation is appalling.
-Leigh Hill