Ode to Pastor Poster

[SDG]

He'll be back ...

He better.

["GL"]

I understand why you left.

You'll be missed...

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by "GL"

I understand why you left.

You'll be missed...

I do too, and yes he will be missed.

I have been doing this forum thing for long enough that my hide is pretty tough.

But you good folks need to understand how wearisome it can be to be grilled on behalf of every preacher who ever did anybody wrong, real or imagined.

I for one have never, ever asked for or expected preferential treatment because I am a pastor. The admin team can verify that. I have even gone to bat behind the scenes lobbying for mercy for those who have gotten reprimanded or banned for crossing lines interacting with me. They can also verify that.

So I have no complaints about anything. I know what the environment here is, and I know that we have administrators who do a good job of keeping it civil.

Sometimes I question, as did PP, whether or not the environment here is healthy. Sometimes, frankly, it isn't.

If it ever gets to the point that I think it is harming me, I will be gone in a heartbeat. I won't cry about it, make a big scene, or hurl accusations over my shoulder.

You will just start noticing that the old Coonskinner isn't around much.

PP is good people. I understand his concerns, and share them to a degree.

As good as it feels to finally take out your frustrations on a pastor in an environment with no consequences, keep in mind that when you do that, some folks won't stand still and be your whipping boy.

So don't be surprised when some very positive contributing voices fall silent here.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

I for one have never, ever asked for or expected preferential treatment because I am a pastor. The admin team can verify that. I have even gone to bat behind the scenes lobbying for mercy for those who have gotten reprimanded or banned for crossing lines interacting with me. They can also verify that.

Verified!

It's more about not allowing someone else to make you their whipping boy... that is why we speak up... and I will always do so. A man is just a man is just a man and that is all he ever is. No one has any special super-powers.

[Tina]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

I do too, and yes he will be missed.

I have been doing this forum thing for long enough that my hide is pretty tough.

But you good folks need to understand how wearisome it can be to be grilled on behalf of every preacher who ever did anybody wrong, real or imagined.

I for one have never, ever asked for or expected preferential treatment because I am a pastor. The admin team can verify that. I have even gone to bat behind the scenes lobbying for mercy for those who have gotten reprimanded or banned for crossing lines interacting with me. They can also verify that.

So I have no complaints about anything. I know what the environment here is, and I know that we have administrators who do a good job of keeping it civil.

Sometimes I question, as did PP, whether or not the environment here is healthy. Sometimes, frankly, it isn't.

If it ever gets to the point that I think it is harming me, I will be gone in a heartbeat. I won't cry about it, make a big scene, or hurl accusations over my shoulder.

You will just start noticing that the old Coonskinner isn't around much.

PP is good people. I understand his concerns, and share them to a degree.

As good as it feels to finally take out your frustrations on a pastor in an environment with no consequences, keep in mind that when you do that, some folks won't stand still and be your whipping boy.

So don't be surprised when some very positive contributing voices fall silent here.

Good post.

I've already noticed that Coonskinner isn't around much. Along with a few others.

I'm not surprised at all, disappointed-yes. Surprised, not at all.

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

It's more about not allowing someone else to make you their whipping boy... that is why we speak up... and I will always do so. A man is just a man is just a man and that is all he ever is. No one has any special super-powers.

Brad, a couple of points:

I have never claimed any super powers, and have never tried to make you a whipping boy.

[nathan_slatter]

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

It's more about not allowing someone else to make you their whipping boy... that is why we speak up... and I will always do so. A man is just a man is just a man and that is all he ever is. No one has any special super-powers.

I have super powers... didn't you know?

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Brad, a couple of points:

I have never claimed any super powers, and have never tried to make you a whipping boy.

I'm just saying that preachers are being treated like they have always treated others and they don't like it. They think that they got some special pass one day when they decided they were "anointed" and no one is ever allowed to contradict them because that is the same as contradicting God.

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Tina

Good post.

I've already noticed that Coonskinner isn't around much. Along with a few others.

I'm not surprised at all, disappointed-yes. Surprised, not at all.

True.

There are a number of reasons why I have been here less, and not all of them have to do with the forum, or any negatives associated therewith.

I will be honest though and acknowledge that the more hostile a particular environment gets, the less attractive being there becomes.

These things tend to go in cycles, and honestly, the trend lately hasn't been all that appealing to me.

But, like most things, it will likely change. If not, oh well.