A better term for the status of forum members is probably ‘customers’. Customers who enhance the value of the site for the owner. Yes, the owner sets the rules. However, when those rules become onerous or unfairly administered the customers may leave. As OldPath05 justifiably did, IMHO.
The owner of TBN does a pretty good job of walking the fine line of retaining valuable customers while having mostly reasonable rules to maintain decorum which enhances the customer experience.
However, he sometimes drops the ball, he’s not perfect. And when he drops the ball customers can complain, or leave, or both.
And, the owner can listen to his customers or he can throw them out or run them off.