I've said it before.... and do so again.....
There have been COUNTLESS Christian discussion forums begun on the internet... perhaps a dozen or more by former staffers of ChristianForums. I joined several of these over the years; I've been too active at maybe 6 or so and on staff at 2 (not including my brief vacancy role here). But nearly all forums like CH either get nowhere or quickly die. The vast majority of websites I once joined no longer exist. Others are tiny. Many START as open and ecumenical.... few and very intuitive rules.... no staff politics.... everything evangelically applied. But they quickly morph into something very different. Or too often relativistic wastelands of nothing much.
When Lamm and Romanos started CH (she invited me here and I quickly jumped on board), I thought the chances of THIS one making it were tiny... and feared even more that it would go down the path of nearly all others. I was wrong. And I could not be happier about that.
I give the credit to two things:
1. Lamm and Romanos. They have kept to the vision. Neither has any agenda or any "horse in the race". This is obvious. And while temptation is constant to rule... to control.... to silence... to convert.... or to evolve into a wasteland of nothingism.... they always resist. This site is a GIFT from them.
2. The community here. This site appeals to those who actually want to discuss and engage - with respect. Some come for "fellowship"... some to discuss their lives and issues in that.... some to discuss theology or Bible.... but whatever their reason, they are embraced and respected and (usually) listened to.
The combination has worked well for 6 years. I rejoice that I've been a part of this and blessed by it. I HOPE I've not only been blessed but have blessed. I'm sad we've lost some community members.... but it happens. And there seem to be "dry" periods when not much of benefit happens but I take some responsibility for that. But these have been 6 great years.
THANK YOU Lamm and Romanos!
THANK YOU to the CH community!
- Josiah
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