Dropped By & Somewhat Dismayed But Not Surprised

[Ron]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Ron,

Your concerns have validity, but the AFF is a group of members--not just admins. The AFF admin team tries not to censor anymore than necessary and of COURSE members of the AFF Admin team are free to post just like any other member, in accordance with the rules. The mistake, I think, is assuming that a post by a member of admin represents some sort of official position.

AFF is a venue for discussion, and hopefully a safe place for people to explore topics, express themselves and even just to vent (like your thread).

I haven't always approved of every discussion, and I certainly don't like gossip or slander; on the other hand, I have learned that it's okay for people to vent and that it isn't my job to try to shut down every person or conversation that isn't my cup of tea.

I have personally benefited from my time on these forums, beginning with the FCF years ago. I have needed a break from time to time, but most of my experience has been positive. I have learned to appreciate views other than my own, I have learned to dig into the Word to find answers for myself, and I have learned that friends can come in many forms. One of the most important experiences for me, coming here after a traumatic experience at an UC church, was encountering people like Bro. Epley and Sister Alvear (and others) who are both staunchly conservative and consistently kind hearted. Posting with very liberal believers, I learned that I'm more traditional than I realized and that realization has helped me find some sure footing on nice, firm middle ground. Bottom line, I appreciate these forums for what they have been, no more, no less. I'm not on a mission to mold this forum or any of its members into what I view as ideal.

I'm not terribly interested in participating in the Memphis threads, but I'm also not terribly interested in stopping a conversation that might need to take place--maybe not for me, but maybe for some of the upset people who have posted and have received some VERY positive feedback from members here.

I hear you & if you know me while I consider myself middle of the road, some on the right feel I am liberal & those on the left think I am conservative & have friends on both sides.
That being said, I can find no benefit either Biblically or emotionally by giving a place for those offended to vent bt naming people and situations.
I have been there, done that, but my old Pastor taking a page out of Anthony Maguns book says to go fast & pray. Then go to the offender & deal with it.
If it is a minister, there are channels to go through where investigations will take place, & censure will take place & whatever penalties will be applied.

I have been in a situation where a local license minister hurt the Church.
He later wrote a rather "weak apolgy letter" I wasn't going to accept it but God said--do it.
He is free & clear from our standpoint---but he is not blessed in his congregation.

Folks there is a Biblical way to do this.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

In that letter Paul did not, yet he also did not rebuke them for this "report"...rather he rebuked them for NOT tolerating it.

1Co 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife.
1Co 5:2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.
1Co 5:3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.
1Co 5:4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
1Co 5:5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
1Co 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
1Co 5:7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
1Co 5:8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1Co 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--
1Co 5:10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.
1Co 5:11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
1Co 5:13 God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you."

Yup, & he was speaking to---"THAT CONGREGATION" Prax.

[Ron]

FTR, I and my Pastor are on the same page when it comes to losing ones license if there is proven sexual immorality in a minister as set out in the UPC Manual & hopefully it will not change.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Charnock

Interesting...is that a sore spot or something?

I am not trying to hide anything. We do not know for a fact that he committed suicide because of a post or thread on AFF.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Charnock

Then say that, but don't delete the post. CC1 loves to post the juicy gossip. He's like an old housewife with nothing better to do.

Trouble is, his threads have real-life consequences.

Your censorship does nothing to change that fact.

That is your opinion.

I am not censoring anything. Just because you post it doesn't make it a fact.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Ron

Yup, & he was speaking to---"THAT CONGREGATION" Prax.

Well....not really.

You see, these pesky Christians had a habit of making copies and passing them along to other churches....

Where do you suppose they got that idea?

Paul
Col 4:16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

You see...either 1Cor is Holy Scripture meant for everyone to read, or it's not and should be removed from your bible.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Well....not really.

You see, these pesky Christians had a habit of making copies and passing them along to other churches....

Where do you suppose they got that idea?

Paul
Col 4:16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

You see...either 1Cor is Holy Scripture meant for everyone to read, or it's not and should be removed from your bible.

Prax,

The person wasn't named & furthermore they were not dealing with heresay, innuendo, & gossip.
This reqally is n't fair to the ministerial family that is being accused of impropriety & wrongdoing.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Ron

Prax,

The person wasn't named & furthermore they were not dealing with heresay, innuendo, & gossip.
This reqally is n't fair to the ministerial family that is being accused of impropriety & wrongdoing.

That person wasn't named by Paul. We don't even know if Paul heard this person's name to begin with.

Are you saying TB is being falsely accused?

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

That person wasn't named by Paul. We don't even know if Paul heard this person's name to begin with.

Are you saying TB is being falsely accused?

I don't if he is or isn't, I just think it is pretty low that a Churches dirty laundry is being hung out to dry before "all" the facts are known.
For this reason it is that Churches responsibility & not oursa to deal with.

[Godzchild]

I'm singing in tha rain...just singing in tha rain...