I have always been as transparent and honest as I know how to be. It does not always mean that I am always agreed with, but that is beside the point.
Here is the story as I know it.
A little over a month ago it was mentioned in the admin area that we needed to be a little more defined in our definition of who we were. This was in reference to several that were starting to propagate the trinity doctrine. It was talked about, and on July 17th, I presented the initial draft to Owners and Admin. One of the things we discussed was that we did not want to impose a stringent definition that would exclude. If this was a church ministry, then a clear, non-negotiable type statement would be needed. But as we are only a discussion board, we only desired to mark a starting point for discussion. The statement was worded to incorporate both the PAJC and PCI viewpoints. It was not something to swear allegiance to. No one was asked to agree to it in order to post here.
During this time MOW felt that we were not going to allow enough freedom in posting. He stated that "If we're going to say that only a narrower spectrum can be propagated, accepted etc. then we are taking a drastic step that will KILL this board for all intents and purposes." He also stated, "If you all want diversity with tolerance, I'll hang around. If not, this place is not for me." I believe his fear was that we would begin drawing a line that would exclude himself and others that did not hold the UPCI view. This was as far from the truth as can be.
During the discourse, I posted this to MOW:
Quote:
Originally Posted by stmatthew
MOW,
I have never thought of you in any other terms than a Gentleman and a Christian. And yes, your post lets me know you are apostolic. The bolded above (An identification with Ac. 2:38 is what binds us together.) is all we are making a statement about.
I do think you are reading something into the 1st post that is not there. The post states NOTHING about where salvation occurs. It simply defines Apostolic in the most raw, generic terms that we all (you included) have stated we believe. I have stated very plainly that I feel it would be the downfall of the forum to define Apostolic in salvational terms. This forum, along with the others (FCF & NFCF), does not seek to do that because there is diversity within the Apostolic ranks as far as salvation concerns.
There are no signatures required. No affirmations to affirm. Anyone is allowed here to post. I have found only a few that differ. I only know one or two that are borderline in their posts that would be considered tearing down our doctrine. So while we do not NEED the definition, I personally think it brings a little more clarity to those that come here that are not Apostolic.
Now having stated the above post, I want to state very plainly that MOW has been an asset to the Admin team, and all of us would welcome him back immediately if he desired to come back. We have not even taken his ability to admin away, as we are still hoping he will return. I know he felt that the forum was going toward a UPCI stand, but it is not, and will not while I am here. I personally feel that he stepped out just prior to the forum administration coming into a better place, and if he would have waited, or taken a breather, he would have seen that we can work thinks out as admin. He is still welcome back.
We have tightened up in some area's that needed to be tightened, and have worked a lot within the admin area to come to a clear direction as to moderating this forum. Will there be times we jump the gun, or over moderate?? YES. But the reason we have a group of Admins that range from lib to con is so we always have a balance. Or at least that is the goal.
So those of you who think this is a mod vs con, you might be partially right, as we all are likely biased toward our agenda and position. But it is not a division that cannot be worked out, within Admin, or on the forum itself.
We have tightened up in some area's that needed to be tightened,
Matt,
I appreciate you sharing this from your perspective. I think that this will help us to understand more what has been happening. At least, I hope
I do have one question tho. Regarding the above statement: Could you please share with us (the general public) what areas you might have tightened up in? We need to know so that we are forewarned so we don't find ourselves banned. LOL
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Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of a battle ! ! ! !
I am here for any questions or comments, but I am not going to argue with anyone in this thread.
Matt, one question: Why are we so opposed to trinitarians posting here? If we know what we believe, I think it would make for healthy debate to have some trinitarians posting so we could discuss........we don't have to agree, but as you said, this is a forum, and I don't think we should be afraid of opposing viewpoints.
I've found that usually the only people who don't want to entertain opposing viewpoints are people who are not thorougly convinced of what THEY believe.
That's just my humble opinion.........
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
Matt, one question: Why are we so opposed to trinitarians posting here? If we know what we believe, I think it would make for healthy debate to have some trinitarians posting so we could discuss........we don't have to agree, but as you said, this is a forum, and I don't think we should be afraid of opposing viewpoints.
I've found that usually the only people who don't want to entertain opposing viewpoints are people who are not thorougly convinced of what THEY believe.
That's just my humble opinion.........
Brother Phelps,
I can't speak for the owners, but I know personally that I wouldn't give a wooden nickel to keep a place open for a trinitarian to spout his views.
This is a place for debate among Apostolics or those of Apostolic heritage to discuss issues pertinent to the movement; the Godhead issue is settled for almost all of us.
No point in debating that here. There are lots of places to do that if you want.
I can't speak for the owners, but I know personally that I wouldn't give a wooden nickel to keep a place open for a trinitarian to spout his views.
This is a place for debate among Apostolics or those of Apostolic heritage to discuss issues pertinent to the movement; the Godhead issue is settled for almost all of us.
No point in debating that here. There are lots of places to do that if you want.
While I won't presume to speak for the owners either, I will bring to rememberance that according to the rules of this forum, those of other faiths are welcome here and encouraged to bring topics to the table.
We welcome and encourage visitors of other faiths to post and ask sincere questions in their honest search to learn more of our faith and about our wonderful Lord, Savior, and God whose name is Jesus Christ. We do not, however, give place for the tearing down, or destruction of, Apostolic doctrine, or the Christian faith in any form. The propagation of atheism is not welcome here.
My understanding is, while we don't discourage those with other viewpoints from discussing and debating various topics, they will be welcome until they come to a place of beligerence and tearing down of the Apostolic faith. Sometimes that is a fine line.
While I won't presume to speak for the owners either, I will bring to rememberance that according to the rules of this forum, those of other faiths are welcome here and encouraged to bring topics to the table.
We welcome and encourage visitors of other faiths to post and ask sincere questions in their honest search to learn more of our faith and about our wonderful Lord, Savior, and God whose name is Jesus Christ. We do not, however, give place for the tearing down, or destruction of, Apostolic doctrine, or the Christian faith in any form. The propagation of atheism is not welcome here.
My understanding is, while we don't discourage those with other viewpoints from discussing and debating various topics, they will be welcome until they come to a place of beligerence and tearing down of the Apostolic faith. Sometimes that is a fine line.
Thank you, Mrs..........this was my point exactly.
CS, if you want to block those of opposing doctrinal viewpoints, and merely discuss things amongst Apostolics, I'm told that there are plenty of places to do that too.
Sometimes the benefit is experienced by the lurkers and readers more than the participants.
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
While I won't presume to speak for the owners either, I will bring to rememberance that according to the rules of this forum, those of other faiths are welcome here and encouraged to bring topics to the table.
We welcome and encourage visitors of other faiths to post and ask sincere questions in their honest search to learn more of our faith and about our wonderful Lord, Savior, and God whose name is Jesus Christ. We do not, however, give place for the tearing down, or destruction of, Apostolic doctrine, or the Christian faith in any form. The propagation of atheism is not welcome here.
My understanding is, while we don't discourage those with other viewpoints from discussing and debating various topics, they will be welcome until they come to a place of beligerence and tearing down of the Apostolic faith. Sometimes that is a fine line.
As one who is of another faith, and also one who may have crossed that fine line at times, I appreciate the welcome and the tolerance that I've been shown.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I can't speak for the owners, but I know personally that I wouldn't give a wooden nickel to keep a place open for a trinitarian to spout his views.
This is a place for debate among Apostolics or those of Apostolic heritage to discuss issues pertinent to the movement; the Godhead issue is settled for almost all of us.
No point in debating that here. There are lots of places to do that if you want.
It's things like this that make me understand why MOW decided not to stay here.
If you are so right about what you believe (and I do believe you are right!), why do you feel so threatened by someone who questions what you believe? You don't know the hearts of people. For all you know, the person who is most belligerent is also the person who is most searching. You would stand in the way of that???
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Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of a battle ! ! ! !
Hybrid Mode
