Is This Environment Wholesome?

["GL"]

Originally Posted by Sandra

you are so paranoid about preachers being disrespected, strange.

Some claim to be men of GOD but show no sign of it.

Respect is earned!

Bad form....

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Three questions.

1. Is it good for pastors and saints to have the level of discussion and familiarity that is present on AFF?
2. Does it lead to an overall lack of respect for ministry in general?
3. Should the ministers who post on AFF move to ministers only forums?

1. It could be problematic if some of a pastor's flock were interacting with him here. They would have "extra" access to their pastor that their peers don't.
2. I've got to be careful here! This forum, if anything, offers a chance to reverse the trend of people not respecting ministry. The problem is twofold: A culture that no longer teaches young people how to be respectful, reverent, and discerning. And a media that widely-publishes anything prominent ministers do to lower their "respectability." Some are going to be swept away by this tide regardless, but others will be impressed by the "realness" of pastors who post here. Like most things on the internet, it is largely a diversion, and can transform into a massive waste of time without some self-control.
3. Only if they don't want to learn as much.

At least part of the underlying issue is the coolness of the medium. I have dealt with this for 14 years in corporate America. A forum post is just like an email. A person can write something fairly innocuous, but the lens of the reader affects their interpretation and emotional reaction to the writing. Sarcasm and jokes translate poorly. Subjective, descriptive, and personal details can lead to misunderstandings that take more time to clear away than the trip to make conversation in person would have taken in the first place! It is very difficult to imply tone. Some phrases can be said in more than one inflection, and to create more than one meaning. Without the inflection, your reader will assign the meaning that most closely fits their mood at the moment they read it. You'll notice our heavy reliance on smilies in fora like this of every type. This one, for instance. Ain't I cool?

Be careful out there.

[KwaiQ]

Uhhhmmm... cool.....right!!!!!! I was thinking bean burrito, but cool works as well!

[ForeverBlessed]

Yes, it provides great interaction.
No
No

I haven’t read this thread completely… but I feel a rambling post coming on… lol Sorry if some of this has been covered by others. I guess I don’t look at the separation of saints and ministers as some do. We are all ministers in different functions of the body.

Being raised in the ministry, I never understood those who seemed to be terrified of the ministry… those who were in awe of the “man” and those who taught their kids to look out for my father as looking out for a cop when doing bad. This mentality is still in churches today although not as bad. My dad had the calling to preach the gospel and to guide a group of people, but lived like most everyone else. I also knew at bible study, he was teaching the study to himself as much as the congregation… I totally respected him because of his love for the people, dedication to the Word of God.

Then it really hit hard when the snotty nosed brat that I grew up with, started preaching and was part of that “ministry” that is often glorified. I saw first hand personal beliefs become gospel and was hit hard with the reality of God uses men… just men and we all are called to be ministers in some function or other. I’ve come to respect my brother and love and respect my own pastor, but never is that position between me and God…

I am a firm believer that preachers should be in close communication with the rest of the people. Pastors need us, just as we need them… we are one body. Pastors are there to feed the sheep and lead by example. There isn’t supposed to be that separation… we are all kings and priests. We are all anointed.
Rev 1:5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

[ILG]

I think these forums can be a challenge for pastors who are used to having the last word and being respected no matter what that last word says. I think these forums can be a great growth tool both for pastors and saints alike.

[DividedThigh]

Ministers have nothing to fear here, unless they have a spirit that cant learn, been on both sides of this, i have learned how and how not to, from ministers and saints. My dad always said that if you want to be in the ministry criticism is coming. The truth will only hurt you if it is your problem, Psalm 136, his mercy endureth forever, even for PP, love ya, dt

Originally Posted by ForeverBlessed

Yes, it provides great interaction.
No
No

I haven’t read this thread completely… but I feel a rambling post coming on… lol Sorry if some of this has been covered by others. I guess I don’t look at the separation of saints and ministers as some do. We are all ministers in different functions of the body.

Being raised in the ministry, I never understood those who seemed to be terrified of the ministry… those who were in awe of the “man” and those who taught their kids to look out for my father as looking out for a cop when doing bad. This mentality is still in churches today although not as bad. My dad had the calling to preach the gospel and to guide a group of people, but lived like most everyone else. I also knew at bible study, he was teaching the study to himself as much as the congregation… I totally respected him because of his love for the people, dedication to the Word of God.

Then it really hit hard when the snotty nosed brat that I grew up with, started preaching and was part of that “ministry” that is often glorified. I saw first hand personal beliefs become gospel and was hit hard with the reality of God uses men… just men and we all are called to be ministers in some function or other. I’ve come to respect my brother and love and respect my own pastor, but never is that position between me and God…

I am a firm believer that preachers should be in close communication with the rest of the people. Pastors need us, just as we need them… we are one body. Pastors are there to feed the sheep and lead by example. There isn’t supposed to be that separation… we are all kings and priests. We are all anointed.
Rev 1:5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Excellent post! I think this is why I feel the "need" to stand up to people who believe that they cannot be questioned or worse disagreed with. I agree with all that you said and grew up much the same way, and when a lot of my cousins are now UPC preachers and have this weird status thing going on, I have never understood it... to me Brian Jones is still just Brian and Gary Howard is still just Gary Howard. If and when I see them I will call them Brian and Gary. (not picking on them, I just am not a fan of any kind of titles, especially when you have known people your whole life). I don't call my own brother Brother, I am sure not gonna call anybody else "Brother".

[MrsMcD]

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

Excellent post! I think this is why I feel the "need" to stand up to people who believe that they cannot be questioned or worse disagreed with. I agree with all that you said and grew up much the same way, and when a lot of my cousins are now UPC preachers and have this weird status thing going on, I have never understood it... to me Brian Jones is still just Brian and Gary Howard is still just Gary Howard. If and when I see them I will call them Brian and Gary. (not picking on them, I just am not a fan of any kind of titles, especially when you have known people your whole life). I don't call my own brother Brother, I am sure not gonna call anybody else "Brother".

I agree with you about the titles. I don't like to be called sister so and so. Just call me by my first name.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by MrsMcD

I agree with you about the titles. I don't like to be called sister so and so. Just call me by my first name.

Amen!

[DividedThigh]

Originally Posted by ILG

I think these forums can be a challenge for pastors who are used to having the last word and being respected no matter what that last word says. I think these forums can be a great growth tool both for pastors and saints alike.

wow, someone who gets it, that is exactly what this can be, so right, dt