How influential is AFF?

Apocrypha · #1 10-18-2009, 07:30 PM

Years ago I was asked by Jim Yohe (rest in peace) to help him start Faithchild Forums and with his website for Faithchild communications. I sadly turned him down because I was tied up with helping to plant a new church. Looking back I wish I had helped him.

AFF is the grandchild of Jim's dream to have a open dialogue among apostolics about anything and everything. Unlike the other forums where the people will hide behind "approval processes" or those that ban on the drop of a hat when they lose a discussion thread, AFF is pretty amazing in that everyone gets a shot to prove, disprove, or just discuss whatever.

Compared to the other forums this place gets more activity, more discussions, and in my opinion the level of scholarly thought here is way higher than the other forums since we force each other to back up statements or face open mockery with few repercussions.

I see that the Magic Hair doctrine is now on the dock in the UPCI after folks like DA and a few others threw down on that false teaching, even making a website to point it out with videos and documentation. Hopefully the UPC will purge that doctrine out of their unofficial set of beliefs. I was wondering if our posting and pointed discussion here on AFF brought it up to the surface after all these years?

I was also wondering how much of a impact that AFF has among the leaders and pastors who come on here and post or just lurk and read as anonymous users? Really, my question is how much of Jim's dream of having a place where we can discuss anything and come to greater truth is having on the greater apostolic movement from this discussion forum?

freeatlast · #2 10-18-2009, 07:42 PM

AFF and it's predecessors have been helpful to so many aposolis of every flavor.

I would not doubt that discussion heree about magic hair has brought out where WEC officials can't hide behind it any loger.

I have posted several timew that the UPC endorses the hairesy of magic hair by their silence.

Time will tell, but I think there more of our officials that are unwilling to tread on this sacred cow subject of hair

Apocrypha · #3 10-18-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeatlast

AFF and it's predecessors have been helpful to so many aposolis of every flavor.

I would not doubt that discussion heree about magic hair has brought out where WEC officials can't hide behind it any loger.

I have posted several timew that the UPC endorses the hairesy of magic hair by their silence.

Time will tell, but I think there more of our officials that are unwilling to tread on this sacred cow subject of hair

Whats funny is that Jim Yohe was the first one nearly a decade ago to tell me about this doctrine of Magic Hair. He was so mad at RR for pushing her junk. He write a entire mini-book but for whatever reason wasn't able to publish it before he passed away. I think he would have enjoyed watching others take up the torch on that subject and many others. His son was one of my room mates in bible college and I traveled with him, so I have a very good understanding of where he stood on stuff. His story is a cool one of how he got back into the church after being the DJ at a rock station and got his license thanks to Bro. Urshan telling TF Tenny to give it to him at his fathers funeral.

noeticknight · #4 10-18-2009, 07:54 PM

Excellent subject! I haven’t given much thought to leaders and ministers lurking and reading in here on the sly. I think that I can understand why they wouldn’t want to get involved though, but then again, maybe they are!?

Imo, there seems to be a lot of great contributors to this forum, people from all backgrounds, with varying experiences and knowledge. There are some real thinkers that post in here! And that’s something everybody can benefit from. If I was a minister, this website would definitely be on my favorites list. Of course, it is on my favorites list!

Blubayou · #5 10-18-2009, 08:07 PM

I find it interesting that whenever there is a hot topic on this forum that my pastor will at least mention the topic in a sermon, sometimes framing an entire sermon on the topic. I think there are a lot of people that visit this forum. One of the things I love about this forum is the intelligent discussion and diversity of opinions of different topics.

Tina · #6 10-18-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubayou

I find it interesting that whenever there is a hot topic on this forum that my pastor will at least mention the topic in a sermon, sometimes framing an entire sermon on the topic. I think there are a lot of people that visit this forum. One of the things I love about this forum is the intelligent discussion and diversity of opinions of different topics.

I've always said that AFF topics could provide sermon material for years if anyone took time to read a little bit here.... That may or may not necessarily be a good thing.

Jason B · #7 10-18-2009, 08:36 PM

I'm a minister and I like AFF because its the voice of common people. At church everyone is getting along, and rarely if ever does anyone question what was/is preached within the framework of the local church.

On AFF people have respect for others, but no regard for their posistions. There are plenty of pastors, preachers, and lay leaders on AFF, so posistions don't matter to posters. It's not about titles, it's about DO YOU HAVE BIBLE TO BACK UP WHAT YOU SAY?

Also, you get posters who have left and openly discuss issues that were influential in their decision to leave the church.

As for influencing my beliefs, I would say AFF does not, however I would mention that it has caused me to at least study subjects I would otherwise have not had much exposure to and considerably better debate than I would be able to find in person.(preterism, universal reconciliation, etc.) And helped me to refine things I was already in the process of re-evaluating (such as my stance on outward holiness, which I still believe, but not as salvic). As well as given me oppertunity to speak on topics that are absolutely taboo in "real life" fellowship among churches all to often (such as tithing).

I enjoy AFF. I don't like some aspects of AFF, posters who absolutely are not apostolic, don't claim to be, and don't want to be, and really don't even believe in the Bible, or God in general. But the good (debates) outweigh the bad.

Finally, alot of us here are Bible nuts. I can't go to work and go to lunch and bring up the topics of outward holiness, tithing, Godhead, etc. I witness as the door opens, but with AFF, you can simply talk religion, or have intersting debates any time of day.

AFF

rgcraig · #8 10-19-2009, 06:45 AM

Not sure that it's influential, but I do know it is read more than you can imagine.

It's a good source to find out "what's going on?"

TJJJ · #9 10-19-2009, 07:26 AM

It's kinda like the Apostolic National Enquirer!

You see everything on here!

The best gossip rag I have found so far!

But it is even better because you can start your own threads and add to the chaos!

Gotta love it!

StillStanding · #10 10-19-2009, 07:46 AM

I have a "passive" interest in the events going on in the Apostolic movement. That is not why I'm here!

I'm here to read comments on issues that have been a part of me since birth. For most of my life I was not allowed to question things openly, because I would be label rebellious.

I'm at a point in my life that I don't care anymore what some preacher thinks of me for questioning things. AFF gives me a place where I can read and express these issues. It has been sort of therapeutic for me!