General Malaise Winning the War...

[RevBuddy]

General malaise... "a general discomfort in the "body"

...a condition of general bodily weakness or discomfort, often marking the onset of a disease

... a vague or unfocused feeling of mental uneasiness, lethargy, or discomfort

For the last couple of weeks, I've just "lurked" around AFF's threads without posting many comments or responses. Unconsciously, I was in "discomfort" with the general tone and nature of our posts and threads. There is something amiss here that should, regardless of where we find ourselves on the "liberal-conservative" continuum, cause a general malaise in our hearts and spirits. I also noticed this morning a post from Pastor Poster with some similar thoughts.

I'm not quite sure I can express it as clearly as I would like, but, in simple terms for me, it's being very uncomfortable with what is being discussed and said here. Yes, you don't have to tell me...this is what a forum is for! Ok, I understand that, but still, in my heart, there's a feeling or an impression that is telling me He is not pleased with our spirits and attitudes here.

No! I am not trying to "preach" to you or to "lecture" any of you on what He is pleased with. Just let me express my personal feelings only. Perhaps this general malaise for me is that...

...drawing irrational conclusions about men and ministries that we really know nothing about, yet are so very quick to analyze and evaluate as if we are omniscent

...bringing "National Enquirer-like" news to the forum without affirmation or credible evidence of its truth

...reporting the trials, temptations and failures of others...and then, giving our "take" on the situation without regard to the affect or impact such "reporting" will have on the "body at large"

...arguing (ok, often times, fighting and contending) for and against doctrinal issues, holiness beliefs and personal convictions, etc., you name it, without regard for the feeling or end results of our forceful attacks on each other

The above listing is not comprehensive, just a flavor of how we, apostolics, are behaving toward one another, and the "face" of Oneness Pentecostalism that we are projecting out into the wide expanse of the world wide web...and the millions of observers in it.

Certainly there are positive and laudable purposes for such a forum. There's no doubt that we are communicating more and having discussions about important issues of the day and getting each other's perspectives on the Church and its heartbeat. My solution is not to shut down such a forum. But is there not a higher standard of behavior, spirits and attitudes required of His children? Isn't much required to whom much is given? Shouldn't our discussions and debates be kind and factual and designed to bring light on these important subjects rather than to bring personal attack, ridicule and, often, gross exaggeration and generalization.

As an example, I often read a "liberal's" assessment of the "ultra-con" minister or his church as "abusive, control freaks, or worse." Is this not a stereotypical conclusions that cannot be supported over an entire population of "ultra-cons?" And then, there's the "ultra-con's" assessment of the "liberal" element of our movement that depicts them as "completely lost" and listen to this, "that their Holy Ghost is NOT the same as my Holy Ghost!" Such conclusions are not only gross misstatements, but border on an attack against the Holy Ghost.

But I am a realist, too. I understand human nature, and all of us here at AFF are human...fallible... completely capable of being wrong and in error. And, in truth, some of the posts and threads have great entertainment value...being very funny and humorous...and some, providing real depth and understanding. But, as a whole, can it be said that we are in a General Malaise...an area of widespread discomfort with one another and with all of these "issues?"

In my weak way, I'm simply saying that I'm uncomfortable with the tone and nature of our posts and threads in general. They don't seem to be a reflection of His nature, but rather of our Adamic one. Aren't we missing His purpose? And are we truly demonstrating that we are His disciples by our lack of respect, concern and love for one another. I'm not looking for perfection here...just a little more focus on His cause and His kingdom and His calling...

...otherwise, General Malaise will win the War...and we will become puppets and marionettes dancing to our own desires, opinions and spirits. I want Him to be pleased with me. And I don't believe He is when I want to be the "first" to report the failures and missteps of others...or berate the personal beliefs and true convictions of others. Maybe this can be done on a "Microsoft User forum," but such behavior is inappropriate on an apostolic forum, isn't it? Oh well, I'm just in a general malaise...