I just read thru the titles of some of the threads on here. One thing I noticed is that there are an awful lot of threads challenging Apostolic beliefs and/or standards. You all know that I do not believe in the standards (I do believe in Oneness-Baptism, etc. Just not standards). But I would never come on an APOSTOLIC forum and challenge their beliefs 'in their face' like that. If someone who believes standards started a thread, I might pipe in and share my thoughts on the other side of the fence. But I have too much respect for those who do believe for me to start something nasty. That just doesn't make sense to me.

We don't have to agree on everything. No one is saying that. But there's no reason to attack one another either. People need to realize that no matter how valid your 'point' is, if you get off-track and begin attacking others, your 'point' gets lost and no one hears you anyway.

Instead of telling newbies youve discussed that issue over and over that they have a question on why not let the old timers :grampa sit back and allow the newbies to carry on that specific topic because they wont be burned out about talking about it. And let the old timers :grampa who are tired and already a formed opinion just sit back and listen to the newbies:

Wait..Did I just say that twice LOL

Good point Fonix...both of em'

Stmatt- One of the best things about the forum was that Bro. Yohe was using it more or less like a think tank.

He invited people with substance behind their opinions to write articles that were in fact "peer reviewed" on the board. This does not happen anywhere else in our Apostolic circles so far as I know.

The Pentecostal Herald avoids any real debate or thought-provoking articles, contininuing to only allow what speaks the party line. Pentecostal Publishing House only prints books that line up with the manual.

Bro. Yohe was interested in ideas of whatever stripe so long as they were articulated well and had substance to them. Opinions off the top of one's head and and/or unexamined traditional rhetoric wouldn't make a good article for the forum and Jim Yohe knew that.

His vision made for interesting reading and lively debate as we dug into the topic; and drew in quality posters.

It would be good to have articles again. Peer review is something that is sorely lacking in most circles that think we must all speak with the same voice. :cool:

Margie- Perhaps standards are more troubling to those who believe the Apostolic message than those who go to other churches.

After all, if one doesn't believe the Apostolic message, it really makes no difference that the Apostolic church is perceived by some as putting obstacles in one's path (cause they can just go to the church down the road).

However, attacking someone is generally counterproductive to the art of persuasion. :cool:

Oh my goodness Matt. I think there have been far worse in the past - particularly on FCF. There was some severe bloodletting there and nFCF had its share too but FCF was kind of like the Old West when it came to flaming, etc.

I love it when folks wax nostalgic ... it's amazing what we "remember" about the good 'ol days. I encourage the old-timers to press forward and build this thing up ... encourage the newbies by being examples of tolerance and mutual respect

....it may never replicate what it "used to be" but you have good thing going here ... and the admin and moderator team is on top of things ... I should know.

As a lurker of the last 5 months at NFCF ... it was pretty vicious over there ... I don't see some of that here. IMHO.

My post wasn't directed to the newbies. It was a matter of explanation to Matt re his post. I don't care if the same issues are brought up, but it's true that some of us who have been around since the start have said the same things and made the same points over and over and over again. It's a valid point in regard to Matt's concern.

I agree with you in regard to the bolded part. NFCF had its share of bloodletting but ask the old timers and they'll tell you it was pretty wild and woolly at times on FCF. I well remember. :)

There seems some are a lot more defensive in their posting than I remember before.

A good argument from both sides is always good, but when it's hit right from the beginning with whining and defensiveness instead of substance, then it gets old fast.