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The Life & Times of Apostolic Friends Forum
I have needed to step up and do a "State of the Forum" address for a few months now, but am just getting the time to really sit down and think about what I want to say.
First, I want to thank all of you posters and even you lurkers for being here. We currently have about 125 active members, with a list of 651 folks that have registered. The main purpose of this forum is not to govern doctrine, though we do promote this site as an Apostolic forum. The main goal, as I see it, is a place for fellowship and friendship. This is what we want to continue to be the driving force here.
We have for the last few months seen an increase here in verbal abuse, tearing down poster and preacher alike, and an overall sense of "I am right, and you are going to hell". Several have been banned due to various reasons. Believe me when I say that I understand the mentality of "If it ain't coming out of my chimney then it ain't God". I still believe it this way! If I didn't, I would fold up my lounge chair, and go play in the world, as they have a lot more fun than we have, though it is only for a season. I have no problem with anyone believing that they are right and everyone else is wrong. The issue comes when the line is crossed, and insults, insinuations, and putdowns are tossed at others. Doctrine is open for debate. People are not.
I want to make it very clear that while we give an open door for posting on this forum, it by no means is a license to become mean spirited and irresponsible in posting. We all have the "privilege" of posting here, but it is not a "right". Those whose only mission is to come here to tear down people need not apply. We won't even waste time with infractions.
I would like to ask each of us, myself included, to take a few moments when we are in a heated discussion, or one that could erupt like a volcano, and consider what we are getting ready to say to another believer. We do not know what that person is going through. We do not know their situation. It could be that they are one day away from backsliding, or one day away from leaving the church. It could be that your post becomes "a word in due season". I understand that we are going to have times of some very heated discussions, and I am not asking any to compromise their beliefs, but let us find a way to season our conversations here with some grace and mercy.
Again, We thank each of you that have given some of your precious time, and your wisdom, into this forum. We are all the better for it.
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