Hey guys,
I've decided to put some heartfelt thoughts down on paper and share them with you guys. I feel slightly anxious about doing so, but I've known a lot of you guys for years and years: you're like my second family – so I guess I'm just going to be honest with you all, and kick my insecurities into the dirt.
A couple of years back when Jay asked me to take over Holy Worlds, I prayed a lot about it before I gave him my answer. I really felt that it was the right thing to do, and although there was upheaval and upset around the change, I still feel today that it was the right decision. It was a tough time for me, and a lot of people – I struggled with how offended some people were, and I was upset that I had hurt people – I still get upset about how hurt people were, as I guess I'm pretty sensitive emotionally, (for instance if I'm sat with someone and they start crying, the likelihood of me crying too is like yep, a definite surety). There were things done that I would change if I could go back in time, but we don't have that luxury – we just have to move forward, make amends as best as we can, and walk before God to the best of our ability. However, although I would have done some things differently, I still don't feel I was wrong in taking over Holy Worlds; and whilst some people disagree, it's one of those things that we agree to disagree over, and love each other anyway!
That said, this year I was starting to worry; we have a cash flow for HW, which pays for webhosting, domain names and etc. The Web Hosting was the most expensive. A good few years back, the Leadership asked for donations for the web hosting, and with that and the book sales and etc, we had enough money to run the forum for some time. However, I had started working out in my head how much money we had left, and I was beginning to worry about how we were going to run the forum in the future. There was not enough people on HW to fund it with donations again, and I couldn't afford to pay it on my own; I personally felt that the forums were so quiet – I wasn't sure where it was going and with how expensive the hosting was to run all the sites, it seemed a lot of money to pay if the forum was only being used by a handful of people. I kept telling myself I'd made a mistake, I'd taken over the forums and would eventually have to close it down due to lack of funds. It was something I was regularly praying about, as I wasn't sure what the future held for HW, and although I had felt at the time that I was making the right choice in taking over, I was beginning to doubt.
That said, I really believe that God has perfect timing. 'So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself' and 'Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand' comes to mind. Rachel wasn't in a place to take over HW at the time that Jay was sending out offers to different HW members, I don't even know if she'd met Joel then. Penoakes Publishing hadn't been set up, all these things that have come to fruition seemed to have just fallen into place at the right time. I think Holy Worlds faces exciting prospects right now, that can carry it into a future that I couldn't have. I think that God has different seasons and times for things, and I personally feel that He's moving us onto something else; I love our forum, and I hope that I am around for some time to come yet, I don't plan on going anywhere. I just really believe that Joel and Rachel can take Holy Worlds into the future that many people who have come and stayed, or come and gone, hoped to one day see. I have no idea what God holds in store for Holy Worlds, but I hope and pray that He uses these changes and these circumstances for good, and to further His kingdom. I understand that we have the ability to make our own choices, and so it's really important that we are prayerful and listening to where we believe God is leading us.
Sometimes we hear whispers that some guys aren't happy about having new Admin, and are worried about the future of the forum. Guys, if you are worried about something - anything – I'm here to hear your concerns, please don't feel you can't talk to me about them. Rachel, Joel and David are also people you guys can talk to about your concerns: it's no good us getting a whisper from someone that a certain person isn't happy, and is thinking of leaving, and we're not told much more. We're not told names, so we can't go to that person and chat to them about why they're concerned, and work through any train of thought with them, we're really in the dark and left that way. Up to now, we've had very positive feedback, and no one has brought any concerns to me personally.
If you have concerns I want to hear from you, I want to talk to you. I've always been here for you guys, and I'm still here for you guys. It doesn't matter how big or how little you feel your concern is, you can spill it all out to any of the admin, without fear of being judged or annoying anyone. You can talk to us about literally anything. You are all important, you are all equally important and your opinion will be taken into account. Don't hold onto your concerns, and feel that you shouldn't/can't saying anything, we're more than willing to hear you. It's important that we hear from you, I hate to think that some of you are worried about bringing up your concerns, or are somehow not as important as the next person or something. New member, old member, whether in Leadership or not, if you have ideas, concerns or anything – we're here to talk and to listen, to pray and to let God guide us. Yes, we may disagree in the end, but at least you'll know that your concern was met, and listened to and prayed over and taken into account.
I really personally didn't see a future with the forum with me as admin that would take us into the Publishing route, which is where Holy Worlds has always wanted to go, and I feel that the right time has come, and the right people have come along. It's not like someone who hasn't known the heart of Holy Worlds, and hasn't grown with the forum, is taking over. Philli, Aubrey, our resident Glitter lover, has been here for even longer than I have, and I believe she understands the essence of Holy Worlds and wants to see it be fruitful and grow as a forum, and branch out. I love Holy Worlds, you guys are my other family; David and I wouldn't hand this amazing place over to someone we didn't trust. They may have different ideas from us, or a slightly different perspective, but sometimes fresh ideas is exactly what you need. Holy Worlds has been quiet for long enough, it's time to spring clean, shake off any cobwebs that nasty spiders have left in the dusty corners, and waken this wonderful place up again. I'm still going to be here, taking this journey with you all, and I hope that you will be too!
Don't forget I'm just a PM away, or just an email away, or heck even a phone call away (although that might be pretty expensive since I'm half a world away) but I'm here anyway. Contact me if you're worried, you all know I don't bite; we want to hear from you as you guys make up this forum, and you're all important to us.
I've probably gone on a little too much about how you guys can contact us, haha! But it's really important to me that you know you can reach out and chat to us if you want to. (I'm still going on about it! Honestly!)
God bless!
Elanor
Yes, updating the design is a high priority. Since it's about a 50/50 divide amongst the users on whether or not they like the current theme, ultimately we will have multiple theme options. Our tech team is going to be doing some major backend work in the next few weeks. After that's rolled out, then updating the theme will be next on the list.