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READ THIS PAGE
CAREFULLY
Also check Current News to be advised of office
holidays
GOD bless you!
Good Christians
welcome—and even
invite—your feedback, but sadly due to spam and denial of service
attacks directed at us, it has become utterly impossible to
reply
to every e-mail message without the possibility of a significant
delay.
We
have a considerable volume of daily emails, far more than can possibly
be dealt with by three part-time volunteers who are responsible for supervising four other AGC websites, plus blogs,
forums and bulletin boards.
After due dligence is undertaken the message is forwarded
appropriately where once received, efforts are made to reply
within 48 hours.
Telephone/fax
messages are for official
business only; that is to say academics, professional or religious bodies,
community groups, media reps and government officials
etc. Administrators of
church
and parachurch organizations, resources directories etc., may
contact
us
for additional information.
It is not for
general requests. Phone messages outside of that area we
answer at our discretion.
All calls are recorded. By reading this page you consent to said
recording. of your call. Recordings are reviewed every six days. Calls
not deemed harassing , threatening or malicious are deleted.
Please
note, if your email has been addressed by the FAQ, what appears on the
streamlined public website or this page it will not likely receive a
response. If you call our phone or fax line instead of using email, it
will not likely receive a response.
Before
you write with
questions that may already be answered on the site, use the search
function and also visit:
Frequently
Asked Questions
1.
PHONE
NUMBERS & S-MAIL ADDRESSES
We would prefer not to
receive
detailed information of this nature. If a relevant needs develops
during
our relationship this will be obvious and appropriate. The subscriber
mailing
list is one such example.
We may, as guided, engage in a
deeper examination of certain messages and the author as a guide
to determining their sincerity and authenticity using high level
security screening as provided by third party agents.
To be
exempt from this policy, please state your reasons in your email.
2.
REQUESTS
FOR HARD COPY MATERIAL
Generally, what is available
for
public distribution is on the site. The print publications originate
with
local, autonomous fellowships. We have an online selection of about 20+
from 200. The online copy is intended to represent the most recent
edition.
As of May, 2008 many publications arel be available in pdf format.
Some will be password protected, available only to scholars.
Starting in the summer of 2008 the AGC will be releasing publicly a
large number of documents to the general public on a linked storage
site. Registration is required. For more information write us.
3.
REQUESTS
FOR FELLOWSHIP ADDRESSES
Prior to 2001, the AGC listed publicly the addresses
and
phone numbers of our many autonomous ministries, assemblies, offices
and house churches in publications and
tracts. In some countries the AGC or predecessor families were
listed in church and
religious directories.
However, as of January 20, 2001 the AGC discontinued the release of
contact information for house churches or
local meetings to the general public. Some exceptions are made.
So, we made this decision with the deepest of regret,
mindful it might create controversy in its own right; and spawn
allegations of secrecy or cult- like behavior. So be
it. Read Are
good Christians Secretive?
The AGC has an obvious responsibility is to protect the
People of
GOD entrusted to our care.
There are several reasons for this; practical and GODly guided.
1) Most
house church groups are ordinarily "closed" or exclusivist" in a manner
similar to some Christian Brethren.
To find a open house church near you visit 
2) We drew a disproportionately high share of fringe elements
intent on disruption. We saw bricks, feces, graffiti, religious
tracts thrown or placed at our publicly
listed locations.
3) Likewise, there were disturbed people or persons with a hostile
agenda visiting locations intent on disrupting peaceful assemblies of good Christians and the the public
peace.
4) Finally, the AGC provides Sanctuary
for a sizable number of conscientious objectors and others. In
these sad days in which we live, access to is
frequently sought by government agencies of different countries,
frequently operating with little independent or judicial
oversight.
This policy is reviewed every three months. Our prayerful hope we
can restore some or all public listings by Spring, 2009.
We may, as guided,
engage in a
deeper examination of certain messages and the author as a guide
to determining their sincerity and authenticity using high level
security screening as provided by third party agents.
We strongly encourage
the formation of new local groups that are "independent" until a final
decision is reached. Whenever
possible we will try
to match sincere seekers with local contacts.
For more information write us.
All content is based on What You See Is What You Get
(WYSIWYG).
The online publications usually originate with local, autonomous
fellowships or ministries.
Statements approved by the Annual General
Meeting represent a community consensus with date notation.
If you detect a problem with our web pages please let us know.
The Public or Legal Affairs divisions or their
designate is mandated to
liaison
with the civil authority according to a pre-determined procedure.
We do not as a rule accept
personal correspondence
with government agents while they are employed with the state. This
policy
should not be construed as anti-government extremism. Rather,
it
is in keeping with ancient Christian custom.
The AGC has a long-time and strict
position on the separation of Church from State. It is a
doctrinal,
not
political expression. There are sincere seekers
within
government employ. Tell us where you are coming from and after mutual
reflection
let's see what is acceptable to you and to GOD.
If you are
representing a government agency in an official capacity, please
send an email to the address below. When we confirm your position you
will receive an email detailing how you can send a formal request
by on letterhead fax with full coordinates and your questions. AGC
Legal
Affairs Division or designated attorney will contact you.
For more
information write us.
We may, as guided, engage in a
deeper examination of certain messages and the author as a guide
to determining their sincerity and authenticity using high level
security screening as provided by third party agents.
6.
E-MAIL
WE WON'T ANSWER
 Superstitious
safaris
in search of the Holy Grail or spiritual craze of the day.
People who
do not conform to the contact prerequisites.
People
not citing scholarly references when writing critical messages.
People who
lack common sense.
If you do not like what you see leave our website in peace and read The
Da Vinci Code,
Holy Blood
and Holy Grail or some such nonsense. This is your choice and we
respect this. No "fires of hell"
from us. The path of self knowledge starts with you.
If you found our site because of a link relating to some new book,
movie or strange blogosphere theory please visit the FAQ and also before writing. We
are happy to confirm or debunk whatever you have heard or read.
For more
information about something specific on the internet concerning the
medieval Cathars or the AGC, write us. Please include the URL and
include the full text along with
your question or it may not be answered.
We may, as guided, engage in a
deeper examination of certain messages and the author as a guide
to determining their sincerity and authenticity using high level
security screening as provided by third party agents.
7.
WE DO NOT SEEK CONVERTS
Matthew
16.18 John 15.26-27 2 Peter 3.18.
Except
for those sent to us, we are not accepting converts. GOD
builds His
church. That door
will not open until Spring, 2009
unless we
are guided by GOD on a case by case basis.
What do we mean by
this?
The ACG, as it has been so with all it predecessor groups maintained
the same rule of practice. There are associates
who read or hear the Word and there are those who after several years,
are consoled in the Word, and baptized full members. Now we can use fancy words
like 'disciple' or adept' or 'credente' and 'perfecti' or such
descriptions. We can weave an
initiation rite that would make a 32 degree Mason envious. That
is
not our way.
There are no fancy dress parties or strangely adorned garments covered
with jewels or vibrant colors. No Mitres, kissings of rings (no
rings!) nothing like that. Good Christians live a plain and simple
life. Ok, we do go overboard on the candles, but hey we make our own,
allow us some fun!
WHY
ARE WE SO CAREFUL?
Why? Simple. We are entrusted to preserve the Church of GOD. We do not mean this
in the grandiose manner of the Church of Rome with its titles,
property, power and vain glorious pursuits. We are not here to
attract those eager to "belong" for the sake of belonging.
We have been online since 1994. One of the very first spiritual
places on cyberspace. Certainly the first claiming a solid link to the
medieval 'Cathar' movement. Are we secretive about some things?
Yes, we admit freely. See Are
good Christians Secretive? Walk for a moment in our shoes
(sandals mostly, depending on climate) and see things from our side:
Seven out of ten (7/10) who
seek to join us here do so under false pretenses.
Some seek the guaranteed
annual income we provide to members
Some seek full university
tuition costs we provide to members
Some seek access to the
so-called "Cathar secrets"
Some seek a kind of
'apostolic succession' to form their own
church
Some seek a means to gain
access to our worldly finances and yes,
Some seek a means to launder
their illegal funds or engage in criminal acts
The list of reasons is sadly very
long about the intentions of those
who write us. What are we to do? Our answer is simple. GOD
builds His church.
GOD builds His
church. We trust in this, and are grateful for the GODly guidance given
that helps us discern the wheat from the chaff.
 The internet is not our first
priority and we are limited by time constraints. The above restrictions
reflect a practical, not paranoid position. It is our way of coping
with the large amount of incoming communications. It was that, or
not accept emails whatsoever.
GOD bless you and good luck! If
your intentions are pure, if your email is not scripted, we have
little doubt that contact can be made.
For the overwhelming rest of
you, please GOD and give it a
rest. Talk with GOD, listen to GOD or if that is to awesome a
task, visit a mental health practitioner, an attorney, your local
minister, imman, priest or rabbi.
May GOD bless you and bring you
to a good End.
8.
PUBLICATION
ON LETTERS PAGE
By sending us an email, you
permit
us to quote from any question and our reply on our letters page or any
other portion of our web sites we deem relevant. Your e-mail address
may
or may not be included, but we reserve the right to publish your
name in full or in part according to the circumstances attached to the
message.
We
may, as guided, engage in a
deeper examination of certain messages and the author as a guide
to determining their sincerity and authenticity using high level
security screening as provided by third party agents.
To be
exempt from this policy, please state your reasons in your email.
READY TO SEND SOME MAIL?
Your
e-mail is important to
us and we value all sincere & constructive comments. We
attempt to reply to all emails within 48 hours.
Thank
you for your patience
and kindness in this matter. Pray
that we
may always respond
in the same spirit.
May
GOD bless you and bring
you to a good End.
Send email from here. Telephone
and fax coordinates here.
We may, as guided, engage in a
deeper examination of certain messages and the author as a guide
to determining their sincerity and authenticity using high level
security screening as provided by third party agents.
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