Michael Spencer, 1956-2010
April 5, 2010 by Chaplain Mike
I received word tonight that Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk, our friend, passed away in his home in Oneida, KY, in the presence of his family.
With them, we mourn his passing.
With them, our tears fall.
With them, we express gratitude that Michael is at peace and no longer suffering.
With them, we cry out to God in pain because our suffering has just increased.
With them and with all creation, we groan, awaiting the day when this sad world will be put to rights.
With them and with all the saints, we put our trust in Christ alone, crucified, buried, risen, ascended, and coming again.
Words are hard to come by at this moment. At a more appropriate time tomorrow, I will say more.
Thank you for praying.
I am closing comments for tonight on the most recent posts so that all may devote energies to prayer and silence.
While the angels in heaven rejoice upon the entrance of Michael into glory, we wrestle with the mourning of his passing and the elation of his release from these earthly bonds. I join my sorrow with Denise and the family and pray for their peace and comfort. Michael would have like that I think as it is what Jesus would do. I will miss his challenges and his straight talk. He could chide without tearing down. He will be sorely missed. I will get his book as a memory of a marvelous guy.
God speed Michael…enjoy the lilys of the field in heaven and have fun wrestling with the lions and the lambs.
Our Baptist – Campbellite exchanges were always thoughtful and loving, on both our parts. I have considered him a friend for years and his departure leaves a great void in my spiritual life. My prayer is for Denise and the children as they come to terms with this long expected death.
I thank Michael for giving us this blog as a place for people to meet to be encouraged and inspired. I have spent the last couple years reading a number of blogs, but Michael’s was my favorite due to his excellent, challenging writing and due to his commitment to keeping this blog free from all-out attacks on others. Without watering-down the Gospel message, he welcomed Christians from various traditions and encouraged us to do the same. He asked us to look at the behavior of Christians that sometimes drove non-Christians far from taking a step toward faith in Jesus. He was not perfect and he welcomed inperfect people here. I will miss him.
Thank YOU, Chaplain Mike, for keeping us going and keeping us updated on what was happening with Michael. Some commenter said many months ago that reading Michael’s writings was like watching a reality show and many readers were interested in what Michael was going to do or say next. We didn’t want the story to end this quickly.
I am crying to hear this news. To Michael’s beloved family, my prayers. His writing meant so much to me, a complete stranger.
Michael Spencer may have been one of the most important people in my life that I have never met. As a believer who hasn’t felt like I have a denominational home I learned so much from him. He was loyal to his Baptist roots but had such respect for the wider church tradition. He showed me that there is common ground and things to be learned from the entire Christian spectrum, even the parts that may sometimes drive you nuts. It’s a decidedly post-modern experience to feel that in many ways he was my pastor for the past five years that I’ve been reading internetmonk.com.
Memory Eternal!
I was only ever here a few times, but his writing was always a delight to read. RIP, sir.
Michael, rest in the Peace of Christ; you will be missed.
For his family we mourn their loss.
For him, we rejoice that he has now completed his baptism.
See you at The Feast with all the Saints my brother in Christ. Shalom.
In the Desert of the Real, I sit, and my tears drip slowly into the darkened gazing pool that held the face of my friend.
Now I see through a glass darkly. I cannot see him anymore.
But oh, I rejoice that on the other side, Michael has opened his eyes to glorious light and peace and life everlasting.
Though it is selfish, I wish none of us were still left behind.
RIP, IMonk. MMMissing you is the greatest of my sorrows.
He was one of the most influential people in my life! I doubt that anyone will ever meet anyone else like him in their life! Oneida will never be the same without him! I love him forever!!!!!