Moderation in this section.

[Gregory Matthews]

 

Stan has asked be to fill a Moderator role in Club Adventist.  I have agreed to moderate this section.   With the move to the new software, I am experiencing a learning curve as are many of you.  So, I doubt that I will be able to answer questions related to the current software.  Now, on top of that, I am learning how I can exercise my role as a Moderator.   I thought that I would use this post to share with you a bit about me, who I am, why I am here an my approach to Moderation.

 

Introduction:

 

I am here in Club Adventist because I see it as ministry.  If the time ever comes when I feel that I can no longer do ministry here, I will leave.

As I look at the people who post here, I consider some to be solid members of the SDA Church, some to be members wo are struggling with their membership, some who are not members and want to know more about the SDA Church and others who simply want to challenge what they believe are our beliefs and practices.  Within all of these groups are people who want to socialize.

I welcome all of the above.  I count them to be sincere and I hope that we can be of help to them.  I do not see my role in any of this to be that of convincing them of truth.  I attempt to share with others what the Bible says, when I believe that is what they want to know.  But, I leave it to their personal study and the Holy Spirit to lead them away from error and into truth.  I Do not consider myself to be a theologian and I do not do very well in that role.  So, I will not assume that role.

 

Moderation:

 

A key issue for me is that people present their view in a positive manner in which they do not attack others and groups.  I understand the gospel to be a positive message.  I believe the every doctrine that we as a denomination have can be presented in a positive manner.   We do not have to attack other people and denominations.   God has not given us the roll of determining the salvation of other people.  God may have a truth.  But, if the Holy Spirit has not convinced a person of that truth, they are not in a state of rebellion against God.  We cannot know what the Holy Spirit has convicted another person of.  I strongly suspect that when we get to heaven we will see people there whom we did not expect to be there.   Expect me to look closely at how we related to other people and denominations in our posts.

 

NOTE:  At the same time, I do speak frankly.    I think that it may be better at times to speak frankly than it would be to edit or remove what a person has said.

 

I was a Moderator some years back in CA.   Some of your old ones may remember that.  At that time, I did edit spelling and other obvious typos.   If I do any such, I will clearly identify that I have done so.  I think it important not to change the thought that the person is attempting to present.  I will not knowingly change anyone’s thought.

 

As a Moderator, I have the power to hide, and remove posts.  I would rather not do that.  My preference would be to remove the offending part and leave the rest.  Ihave not decided exaaactly what I might do.   As much as possible, I will want to allow a person to say what they want to say, without editing on my part.

I expect to be involved in posting.  In my role as Moderator, I will bend over backwards not to inhibit people who disagree with what I said.  I intend to give you a lot of  freedom to disagree with me.

 

 

I trust that this says a bit about me and my role as Moderator.

One last point, when I express my views, feel free to disagree with me.

 

On the subject of Church Policies, My perspective is that church policies are determined as much by how they are put into practice as they are by what is placed in writing and that what is placed in writing is often advice rather than law.  so, on this point, some of you will disagree with what I say.

 

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Tom and I come from different backgrounds and therefore different perspectives.  So, it is possible that we may not always agree.  Regardless, I will welcome any perspective that he might want to share as it will contribute to the conversation.

[LifeHiscost]

Tom and I come from different backgrounds and therefore different perspectives.  So, it is possible that we may not always agree.  Regardless, I will welcome any perspective that he might want to share as it will contribute to the conversation. Chaplain, Retired !!

 

Spending much time recently in studying the old testament, especially cognizant of how miserably God's own people failed to live up to His wishes, I find it not difficult to believe the effort to keep any group of individuals that are more interested in their personal aggrandizement and having freewill(given by God BTW) to pursue those personal ends, a real challenge.

Noticing your stated present status as retired, I can only sympathize with your new found responsibilities and fondly look forward to my own retirement from the present human race, looking forward to my promised citizenship in the future, which being of the age to speak with authority, seems to be the best thing for which to look forward.

 

Seems not an incongruous thing to anticipate if one is willing to accept the promises offered.

 

"...in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the last trumpet will sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Cor 15:52 KJV

 

God is Love! Jesus saves!

[Gregory Matthews]

Yes. I retired on February 28 after 50 years of service for God & Country.  You can read about that, if you wish, in "Members Milestones" and then "Gregory Matthews' REtirement.

 

 

I thank you for your good wishes.