Acts20.com

Some years ago I was trying to get a church. Went to the AB's office he said; the only thing I have against you is your involvement with Actscelerate. To which i replied, have you seen anything negative I have posted about you or any AB. He said no. He said he had three list of ministers looking for a church, I will place you on the top of the top list.Not sure what list that was but to this day nothing has happened.He has since left my state Recorded Sermons @ www.pastorwiley.com

There was a time...

when Actscelerate was the biggest thing going in terms of the conversations that we had and have. It was read by the executives (and some almost certainly posted her under pen names). The use of pen names allowed people to post and discuss freely things that they would be very reluctant to discuss under their real name. Of course, some used pen names to make false or harsh statements, but for the most part it was all handled pretty well, I think.I like the current FB page The Excellent Minister... or some such, BUT because everyone is using their real names, it stays safely within the lines. That doesn't mean there isn't disagreement over this or that, but it almost certainly means that there are issues that are never raised/discussed because of concerns of being blacklisted, etc.There is a range of SAFE doctrinal issues, but if someone suggests that, say, tongues is not the initial evidence, it is typically done in a manner that is not nearly so forward and robust as it would have been on Actscelerate a few years back.Today, even Actscelerate has become a bit milquetoast-y due to the fewer numbers posting, etc.

Re: There was a time...

Would you care to tell me the issues that you think are avoided that need to be discussed? About anything can be discussed...but, as I said, it tends to stay safely within the lines. Like, for instance, I can’t call you a doofus or a weirdo under my real name. But back in the day, I could. I miss that. All I can do now is THINK that, and it’s not nearly so satisfying.

Of course you know I was joking in previous post. Except for that part about “doofus.” Seriously, consider that many years ago someone got on Actscelerate to report something a bit underhanded of a State Overseer. That had an effect. In truth, there was no recourse for the poster, I imagine, since Cleveland would almost certainly do nothing. But it had an effect, so far as I know. If nothing else, leaders seemed to try to be more circumspect, since it might end up here.

I am sure that we would get in serious trouble with state and general headquarters if we wrote (with our real names) what we truly thought about the good old boy system that is now in play. Here is something certain though, if you want to go somewhere in the Church of God you better not tick off the wrong AB or the wrong person on his way up. Actscelerate or no Actscelerate. Be a good boy and don't speak out when you see injustice. You don't know nothin'!The thing is there is so much subterfuge in the system you really can't say for certain and pin it on them. All you have is your own personal evidence of how things have gone(or not gone) for you after you spoke your mind. Then you hear some other former pastor tell his own story of literally getting thrown our of a church to make room for someone else and it just kind of stick in your gut. And maybe it wouldn't mean so much if you had not heard it from the mouths of other ministers...you know two or three witness

I know it is hard to take someone like moonwalking with Jesus serious, but here me out. Pastors need to start drafting our own selections for positions instead of just taking what has been spoon fed to us on the campmeeting circuit. I would even go as far as drafting potential candidates for high level positions

Whether by design or not, I do not know; however, Actscelerate began as an participatory extension of Doyle's newspaper. One could read an article (thread or a post within a thread), then respond in a post. Thanks to Al Gore's invention of the Internet, all of this could happen in a brief period of time. Within a few hours, a single thread could literally enjoy global participation.As with anything technological, it will experience uses both good and bad. Some, like OTCP, from the git go of his participation with Acts, used it primarily as a tool for humor, fun and enjoyment. I would challenge anyone to research the archived posts of OTCP, and you will find not one single post derogatory of the COG. There will be a few that were posted in jest, and they are clearly referenced as such.Others, however, from day one of their involvement with Acts, used the venue as a tool to lambast, criticize, demean and spread vitriol and venom against the COG, its leadership and decisions made by those in authority. This latter approach is probably why some within COG leadership frowned on Actscelerate. Of course, now, there are AB's who post by name, DO's, Lee faculty, etc.In all my years a postin on Acts, not one time has anybody ever said, warned, cautioned, etc..., my participation here. But, it could be that they aint a lot a folk get through Pikeville, KY, too often.

I have NOT noted much restraint when it comes to you speaking your mind about me...or anything for that matter...on ANY forum.