This is an open letter to those of us who frequent this forum. Read it while it is hot, cause it may not be here long! /chuckle
I realize, as a human organization, this guild is not perfect and has some difficulties. I have had some struggles over it and have had to work through a couple of issues. I have noticed that some critical posts have been removed from this section of the forum and someone told me one in particular is now in an "officer's" section which is not available to anyone who is not an officer. It is a good idea for them to have a private discussion area. Apparently, this post caused some concern to get moved to an area of officer discussion and I am glad it did.
However, the post brought up some points that come partly from misunderstanding and from some valid observations. In reading it, I realized I was as guilty as others in many things. For instance, when I am busy in gaming, I often do not notice guild chat at all. The only way to get my attention is to /w me so I am notified via an audio warning. I am sorry I may have ignored some of you. I am not trying to be an elitist, much less ignoring someone.
I also understand that there are circles of friends that like to do stuff together. I understand that there are those with whom my personality does not mesh. And that is ok! Sometimes I wish for some special attention that I do not get. I am probably not alone in that. I do not even necessarily like some of the raiding guidelines we follow. To me none of that is offensive enough to drive me away. It may become a sticky point with some, and that is alright because if an officer is approached with it, it will be discussed and an answer brought back.
I just wish to warn each of us to be careful not to present an elitist impression. There are some elites among us, but one thing that makes them so is their humility. Many among us are far better than what we want to admit or even think so little of our skills and knowledge that we do not consider ourselves to be an authority worth answering. Now for my part, I am far from elite and often too mouthy, but I am willing to do what I can to help out! Then again, there are times I just want to be left alone. Let us be careful that we do not allow our good works to be spoken about evilly. Let's not taint what we do good with something bad. Let us continue to follow the exhortation of 1 John 4:7-8: "Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God, and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He that loves not, knows not God for God is love." I know I am at times hard to love, but "with God all things are possible."
In summary, guard against not interacting with others. Some of us, for reasons like insecurity or loneliness, come to the game for a positive source of interaction. Let's be careful that we are a positive source, building each other up well enough that it spills over into real life, not because of WoW, but because the love of Christ which wants to emanate from each of us. Remember, love overcomes much.
I realize, as a human organization, this guild is not perfect and has some difficulties. I have had some struggles over it and have had to work through a couple of issues. I have noticed that some critical posts have been removed from this section of the forum and someone told me one in particular is now in an "officer's" section which is not available to anyone who is not an officer. It is a good idea for them to have a private discussion area. Apparently, this post caused some concern to get moved to an area of officer discussion and I am glad it did.
However, the post brought up some points that come partly from misunderstanding and from some valid observations. In reading it, I realized I was as guilty as others in many things. For instance, when I am busy in gaming, I often do not notice guild chat at all. The only way to get my attention is to /w me so I am notified via an audio warning. I am sorry I may have ignored some of you. I am not trying to be an elitist, much less ignoring someone.
I also understand that there are circles of friends that like to do stuff together. I understand that there are those with whom my personality does not mesh. And that is ok! Sometimes I wish for some special attention that I do not get. I am probably not alone in that. I do not even necessarily like some of the raiding guidelines we follow. To me none of that is offensive enough to drive me away. It may become a sticky point with some, and that is alright because if an officer is approached with it, it will be discussed and an answer brought back.
I just wish to warn each of us to be careful not to present an elitist impression. There are some elites among us, but one thing that makes them so is their humility. Many among us are far better than what we want to admit or even think so little of our skills and knowledge that we do not consider ourselves to be an authority worth answering. Now for my part, I am far from elite and often too mouthy, but I am willing to do what I can to help out! Then again, there are times I just want to be left alone. Let us be careful that we do not allow our good works to be spoken about evilly. Let's not taint what we do good with something bad. Let us continue to follow the exhortation of 1 John 4:7-8: "Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God, and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He that loves not, knows not God for God is love." I know I am at times hard to love, but "with God all things are possible."
In summary, guard against not interacting with others. Some of us, for reasons like insecurity or loneliness, come to the game for a positive source of interaction. Let's be careful that we are a positive source, building each other up well enough that it spills over into real life, not because of WoW, but because the love of Christ which wants to emanate from each of us. Remember, love overcomes much.
