Why make this blog private to CBC members only?

There are many forums and discussion boards and blogs on the web available to anyone and everyone who would like to comment, including sites devoted to spiritual matters. Those have their place, but they also introduce certain risks, particularly when a participant has no vested interest in a relationship with other participants. As members of CBC, we have covenanted with one another to serve the Lord together, and part of that service is fellowship around Him and His Word. Since we have ongoing relationships with one another, we are less likely to make unsubstantiated, caustic, hurtful, or off-the-cuff comments, particularly when we know we will see each other again in just a few days at the next church service. On the flip side of that, we also are more likely to give each other the benefit of the doubt rather than taking offense at a comment that might be taken in more than one way. Additionally, since we do have this covenant relationship with one another, we are able to observe each other’s lives to consider whether what we claim to believe (in blog comments, for instance) fits with how we live. Next, since we have this relationship, we are more likely to be open and vulnerable with each other, since we have confidence that the response will be one of a loving Christian brother. Finally, opening the site to others could jeopardize any or all of these things, and in the process could raise the risk of a simple rabble-rouser attempting to take pot shots, just to cause trouble and dissension and damage.