Sometimes I need to post reminders.
This is a pastoral blog. This blog is the pulpit for a virtual parish, a “virtual church” if you will. It’s purpose is to encourage faith and what faith demands. It is not for everyone. Yes, this blog is a publication in the sense of making the information accessible to anyone who wanders by with a browser. In the settings for this blog, I allow random comments, but I do have a moderation policy. That’s because the primary thrust of my posts are aimed at encouraging folks who already embrace, or at least tolerate, my frame of reference.
You see that big “RF” icon there? See how it comes up as a favicon in the browser tab? There’s a reason for that: It stands for “Radix Fidem” — the name we give our community covenant. That’s the frame of reference for this blog. If you can’t be bothered to notice that big icon and wonder what it means, you start out with a major disability in trying to join the conversation. You run the risk of your comments being moderated out.
Stay on topic. The whole point of this blog is to bless the community that came into existence from what is taught here. The only reason there is a comment section is to encourage their faith. If I can bounce off your comments to bless my parishioners, I’ll use them. If your comments can’t be used in that pursuit, I’ll delete them. I have a duty to my God and the parishioners He has granted me to pastor.
By no means are we a mainstream parish. Whatever expectations you bring with you may not work too well here, because you aren’t in charge. I don’t treat random zealots as honored guests. I won’t place you in the pulpit just because you come here with a strong urge to speak what’s on your mind. I’m not going to entertain hit-n-run comments that promote a different brand of faith. I’m guarding the flock.
I don’t expect you to read for days some of the old posts on this blog, going back more than a decade. I do expect you to use the search function to see if I’ve already addressed your favorite topics. If a conversation is such an urgent need for you, try to consider the best way to open the doors to discussion.
This blog stands on the Radix Fidem framework linked above. We aren’t interested in your dissent from it; we are the dissent. We reject the mainstream, though not simply because it is mainstream. We reject it because it failed the demands God made of us. We know our faith offends most Christians. We are challenging the mainstream, who already hold all the publication advantages. The mainstream message represents a bondage that crushes our sense of divine calling. You can keep it. Don’t try to bring us back under that bondage.
If you are intrigued, we can talk. If you feel the urge to correct us, don’t waste your time. We didn’t start this yesterday, so it’s not new and fragile. If you ignore the long timeline, you’ll only make a fool of yourself. Don’t assume we are just waiting hushed and breathless for your divine wisdom (sarcasm there). We’ve had a good number of years praying this through and testing it in our lives.
The Lord has prospered our faith.
