Leaving

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Dear Bro. Tyler, et. al.,

I think we're being far too generic in characterising Apostolic 
churches as thus and thus.  Every church develops its own personality 
and, as the epistles evidence, its own problems.

We cannot equate conservative holiness with judgmentalism.  And, Bro. 
Tyler, I must disagree with you that every church begins the 
gossip-mill as soon as sin arises.  Of course, part of maintaining an 
outward holiness standard is the obviousness of some sins.  This 
simply cannot be avoided, but many (and I'm sure most) churches 
respond with compassion, prayer and genuine concern for the spiritual 
condition that exists *beneath* the outward difficulty.

No doubt, we could all recount various situations where forgiveness 
and mercy have not been coupled with sound church judgement.  But, it 
must be remembered, we are all human and fallible.

Let's be careful not to be too broad-brushed in characterising 
precious Apostolic people and churches.

All Honour to Christ Jesus.

Bro. Matthew Shaw