A Mystery Revealed; A Chapter Ending

#1 02-21-2008, 01:27 AM

To the Friends and Posters of AFF,

Well, I suppose that I should follow the path that a few others have carved out over the last few days. As one who is about to ‘ride off into the sunset’ I am conscientious of the unique paradox of this post:

A) I feel like I have a right to post to the friends who will wonder where I’ve gone.
B) I’m relatively sure that some will find no ‘good reason’ why I posted at all.

In any case, it’s my desire to express a few things to those whom I’ve shared so many heartbeats with over the last year. Let me start with some facts:

• I am the other half of the two original owners of the forum.

• I will NOT trash the forum as others have while giving their ‘parting shot’ (some of which have suddenly rescinded their views now

).

• I was more than willing to spend money, time and effort to open up a forum that I felt would work: Saints and Preachers communicating and exchanging dialog with each other in a respectful way.

I realized in the beginning that it would be a challenge as there was somewhat of a ‘stigma’ we were trying to avoid. It was by the amazing efforts of the Head Administrator, St. Matt, and the entire Admin team that the first several months were, for the most part, phenomenal.

There was some ‘fuss’ about an ‘anonymous’ owner that I never quite understood but – for my part – I felt it necessary. As one who travels a lot I felt it would be unfair to those who had scheduled me to suddenly have questions over a forum that was desperately trying to rise above what other forums had been accused of. For that reason I held my peace and just kept supporting this thing that I believed could be accomplished.

Now, however, I have come to the place that I have to be honest with myself. I have loved this forum, poured myself into it and have perpetually reminded those among the owners / administrators that our chief goal had to be ‘decency’. And, to their credit, we ALL tried. I do believe that to the bottom of my heart.

Even so, it was a few months ago that I started a campaign of posting threads of substance because I reasoned that… if I don’t contribute to the good I have no right complaining about the bad. It was after a few weeks of giving it my ‘best shot’ that I became convinced that the general disrespect of some (thankfully not all) on the forum towards people, personal commitments, various organizations and even our heritage was something that would, perhaps, never change.

Please understand that I have no ‘ill will’ towards anybody. My goal in helping to start this forum was that I would retain a Christ like spirit at all costs. I feel that I’ve done that and can think of nobody that I’ve intentionally hurt or attacked. Remember, you have been my friends for a year now… and some longer.

It’s just evident that what I had in mind in starting AFF and what it perpetually insisted on becoming was two vastly different things. As Brother Matt said, it was the general disrespect that has been the ‘silver bullet’ that so violates my spiritual man. Surely some here will understand my desire to protect and maintain the integrity of my ministry and own soul.

In closing, please don’t read anything into the post that wasn’t said. This has almost been a grieving process for me as I have a great affection for the forum and the posters. Again, my issue isn’t with the posters or Administrators. I understand 100% the demand for ‘free speech’ that some would cry for… but ‘free speech’ at the expense of decency and respect becomes a mob mentality and not a channel of communication.

AFF will survive if decency and respect again become your priority.

For the record, I'm no longer an Administrator.

For the record, I'm no longer an owner.

For the record, I remain a personal friend to many here.

And, thankfully... ultimately... I remain a Christian.

Blessings on all… May God grant that all of us find greater commitments to the One who surely deserves our best!

Steadfast / The Dean

TRFrance · #2 02-21-2008, 02:07 AM

So many good people leaving.The AFF neighborhood is changing, I see.

---

Brother, we all have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. So anything that violates your spiritual man...if you feel it best to separate from it, then so be it.

All the best to you. Go with God.

Praxeas · #3 02-21-2008, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRFrance

So many good people leaving.The AFF neighborhood is changing, I see.

---

Brother, we all have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. So anything that violates your spiritual man...if you feel it best to separate from it, then so be it.

All the best to you. Go with God.

There are so many good people still here and new ones joining

Barb · #4 02-21-2008, 02:10 AM

Elder, your balance, sound wisdom and reasoning will be sorely missed.

God bless you...

IBCrazier2 · #5 02-21-2008, 02:18 AM

Thank you for your honesty

OP_Carl · #6 02-21-2008, 05:44 AM

Thank you for your efforts, energy, and example. You are a beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak landscape for many, many people. God Bless you.

Michael Phelps · #7 02-21-2008, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

Thank you for your efforts, energy, and example. You are a beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak landscape for many, many people. God Bless you.

Wow, not quite sure how to take this.

I guess the rest of us on the forum are just bleak, boring, and lacking content.

OP_Carl · #8 02-22-2008, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Wow, not quite sure how to take this.

I guess the rest of us on the forum are just bleak, boring, and lacking content.

I see now that I zipped this one out there just a little too fast. What you have inferred is not what I meant, although it is not an unreasonable inference. I am sorry; I should have worded it more carefully.

While I can't un-ring the bell, please allow me to explain in this way: My world and experiences are larger than AFF - positive and negative.

My apologies to all who felt slighted.

rgcraig · #9 02-21-2008, 06:27 AM

Dean,

You will be missed. I call you friend.

I appreciate that you always made it a point to tell me that you appreciated and respected me knowing that we disagreed on many things. That appreciation and respect is reciprocal.

You take care of yourself and get completely well!

Miss Renda (lol - just had to do that)

Sweet Pea · #10 02-21-2008, 06:47 AM

Steadfast, You don't know me - I am not a frequent poster. However, I have so much enjoyed your postings and will miss you around here. Your wisdom and wit brought something special to this forum. Someday, I hope to visit your church - it sounds awesome!

I doubt that Coonskinner will make a departing post (if he decides to leave and not return) so I would like to also say that I have missed his postings as well. His "Coon's Den" on the old forum was one of my favorites - and I always enjoyed reading stories of his sons. Lady CS is a favorite also!

I regret that I don't have access to these "preachers forums" that some of you have migrated to. I would love to just lurk and glean from some of these wise men's postings.

May God be with each of you who have decided to leave and may He continue to bless your ministries!

Several people have commented that from the "poll" that the board is still pretty much balanced. That may well be - but it will be awhile (if ever) before some of the "conservative" posters reach the status and attain the respect some of these men have had!

JMHO!