Grace News

JUNE 4, 2008: Site Launch

For most of you reading this news article, it's likely that you're surprised, even a bit baffled by the "extreme makeover" that our website has received. Below are a few answers to your questions:

(1) Why such a drastic change?
If you can imagine a home where china is stored in the bedroom, videos are stored in the bathroom, and toothpaste is stored in the kitchen, then you'll have a good idea of what our database has looked like over the past few years. For those who have been with G.R.A.C.E. Ministries from the beginning, you've seen at least two other site modifications, but with each change, the file organization has been disastrous. When it began, G.R.A.C.E. Ministries was built on the URL (homeofmercy.com) where another ministry had been in operation. As a result, each new webpage and each new part of G.R.A.C.E. Ministries continued to get tossed into whatever "closet" that was available (figuratively speaking, of course). For more than three years, the database has been in desperate need of restructuring and the only successful way to accomplish that task was to establish an entirely new URL webpage (advancementofgrace.com) with an entirely new system. In short, we went through such a "drastic change" because our site is long overdue for some "behind the scenes" organization that could never have happened if we didn't make this change.

(2) Why change the name of the ministry?
Two reasons. First and foremost, the very idea of G.R.A.C.E. Ministries is that Grace Rightly Applied Changes Everything. If indeed, the application of grace can bring about significant change, then this is to the advancement of grace. Both titles are complimentary of one another. Secondly, most of the men and women who read and participate in this ministry have long referred to themselves as part of something called the Grace Movement. Sadly, over the last twenty plus years, there has been little movement and far more internal fighting. Small churches have split into smaller churches and ministries have divided to the point that some brothers and sisters will no longer speak to one another. This, without question, makes movement an arbitrary term. By promoting the Advancement of Grace, we are tossing aside mere movement in favor of forward progress.

(3) Have there been any changes to the administrative team? Just one. Out of the 250+ members who read, write, and participate with our forum, Obadiah (aka: Tim McMahon) signed on with us in January of 2005 as the 21st member while serving with Bob Hill at Biblical Answers and Derby School of Theology. Tim has recently joined our administration team to serve in whatever way he can amidst other obligations and ministries. Naturally, all members of our Admin team are co-moderators of the discussion forum and Tim is now included in that mix.

As always, we thank you for your patience and trust that you'll find it easy enough to navigate through the new site. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact us.