At Crossroads -- Cf's Vision - Poll Vote only here

[JimfromOhio]

I found this post in this link http://www.christianforums.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=37021777

As a seeker sincerely looking for truth, I take offense at that.
I have been reading posts for a couple of days that have been hurtful. I know they are "general posts" not really aimed at anyone, much less myself.

If someone like me is not welcomed here at Christian Forums, I will leave. I seek truth, I am not here to sow discord between any Christian nor anyone's private beliefs. What each person believes is precious and sacred to each.

I implore someone on staff to please PM me if I am welcomed here or not.
If not, I bid you all peace.

Thank you.

So, to the outsiders, what does "Christianity" look like? 1 Thessalonians 4:12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders. We Christians are to "set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). As good testimony to outsiders, Christians can work with non-Christians.

Option # 2 " Return to a more restricted Christians-only site with a heavy emphasis on uniting mainstream Christians only with a less emphasis on outreach" is NOT biblical.

(That's my thoughts).

 

[Hammster]

All I have seen since I returned last week (and I didn't leave for any reason dealing with the 'new' CF. Left before it happened) is a bunch of whining and "taking my marbles and going home".

I don't really care about most of the changes, except for trying to find areas to post in. Other than that, it is all good. My voice can still be heard, and I can still hear you, too.

As far as the non-Christians, I say let them come. It seems to me that the ones who are afraid of the non-Christians are not secure in their faith. And if you are not secure in your faith, then you need to find out what you believe and why you believe it. And this isn't the place to do it. You need to get into the Word, and get the Word into you.

I like the forums because I like to challenge people on what they believe, and I like to be challenged. Iron sharpening iron. Sometimes it seems like ire sharpening ire, and that is very sad.

If, however, you are afraid of the non-Christian and their meanness, read the following:

"I have no more personal friends at school. But you know what? I am not going to apologize for speaking the name of Jesus. I am not going to justify my faith to them, and I am not going to hide the light that God hap put into me. If i have to sacrifice everything, I will. I will take it. If my friends have to become my enemies for me to be with my best friend, Jesus, then that's fine with me" Rachel Scott, 17, Columbine martyr.

How is your faith. Do you love the lost? Do you care about the lost? Do you care that they are going to hell? Better yet, do you care enough?

Whatever form this takes really makes no difference to me. I am more concerned with our attitudes than with this temporary forum that won't matter on the day I die, except that maybe I could encourage, or exhort someone, or share the gospel with a non-believer.

 

[JimfromOhio]

Yes, outreach, but with no non-Christian mods and voters.

I agree with that Non-Christians should NOT be a moderator for "Christian sections", but they can be moderators in "open" sections.

They have the right to vote.

 

[Epiphanygirl]

Even as condescending as option 2 is written, I'll take it.

 

[Lisa0315]

There will never be a non-Christian moderator in a Congregational forum here. The only way that could happen is if that person de-converted while on staff. I would expect a resignation from that person if that occurred.

What I keep seeing in these kinds of threads is over the top and completely unfounded dramatic statements that CF has become or will become something "else". No one can really define what that something "else" might be, but fear is rampant.

All I can say, Brothers and Sisters, is put your faith in the Lord. There is NOTHING to fear.

Lisa

 

[*Rob*]

I have a bad feeling people are using socks...

 

[JimfromOhio]

I have a bad feeling people are using socks...

When it comes to difficult issues like this, hypocrites will go hiding and use socks to express their opinions.

 

[*Rob*]

When it comes to difficult issues like this, hypocrites will go hiding and use socks to express their opinions.

I'm afraid so, so this thread is practically a waste of time,

 

[cygnusx1]

Yes, outreach, but with no non-Christian mods and voters.

let sanity prevail!

 

[Colabomb]

Hi members

This poll, started by drstevej, was PMed to me recently. I think that it does make a good point and I wanted it moved out of the Conservative Christians forum to the Announcement forum to gather input from other members as well.

The issue here is whether CF's name should be changed and its vision modified to reflect its current framework.

This site at the moment is at a cross-roads, and can go either way. It can either become:

1. A safe social community site with a heavy and strong Christian influence (with the vision being to offer a safe online community, and a secondary vision being to allow Christians to outreach to non-Christians) - which will allow for a name change;

OR

2. Return to a more restricted Christians-only site with a heavy emphasis on uniting mainstream Christians only with a less emphasis on outreach, in which case we keep the name.

Bear in mind that options 1 and 2 are both valid - there is a place for either forums.

I think that at this moment members are frustrated because CF is halfway between options 1 and 2, so members are confused as we have a vision that belongs to option 2 but a setup that is more like option 1.

Therefore, I think we need to make a decision.

I'm going to leave this up to the community. I've extended the above poll to 3rd of August.

I will listen to the members here, and will defer to the final decision.

Please feel free to discuss this issue in this thread.

Ridiculously leading!!!!!

 

[sparklecat]

I am generally in favor of not being kicked out.

 

[Axver]

I'm afraid so, so this thread is practically a waste of time,

I do hope Erwin is well aware of how unreliable self-selective polls of this nature are and that he won't make decisions (in favour of either option) based solely on the poll's outcome.

Honestly, I hope he scraps this poll entirely and at least gives us one with more diverse, nuanced options.

 

[Lisa0315]

I have a bad feeling people are using socks...

It is not a bad feeling. It is reality.

Lisa

 

[sparklecat]

I already voted, but actually, I want what others have said - I want the 'other' option.

 

[JimfromOhio]

I would like to add my that the name "Christian Forums" should stay regardless of either options. We are Christians sharing our beliefs and those who are searching will have the opportunity to know Christ through us.

 

[RavenRift]

I know that when I signed on to CF it was because it was a haven for ALL Christians... and I found healing and restoration among my brothers in the Men's Corner...

My thought relating to the name and Erwins vision - he is right... It is not up to us to us to pick and choose who are the "better" or "right" Christians... that is personal - between God and each one of us - God knows our heart... He is the one who writes our names in the Lambs book of life... we cannot judge anyone... as believers, our first mission is to reach out to the lost...
I voted 2.
There are so many other social sites out there... we should not be conforming to the world - CF should continue to be used as the tool to help transform the world.... too many things for Christians are becoming watered down in our world... Look at the Christian Music Industry for one example.... We need this place to help us reach the lost and help the hurting....

Just my thoughts - thanks for the chance to share them.

 

[Joykins]

subscribing now so I can give my opinion later. I have a lot to say but am running out the door.

 

[JimfromOhio]

I corrected my post in # 381, I used the wrong quotation.

I found this post in this link http://www.christianforums.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=37021777

As a seeker sincerely looking for truth, I take offense at that.
I have been reading posts for a couple of days that have been hurtful. I know they are "general posts" not really aimed at anyone, much less myself.

If someone like me is not welcomed here at Christian Forums, I will leave. I seek truth, I am not here to sow discord between any Christian nor anyone's private beliefs. What each person believes is precious and sacred to each.

I implore someone on staff to please PM me if I am welcomed here or not.
If not, I bid you all peace.

Thank you.

So, to the outsiders, what does "Christianity" look like? 1 Thessalonians 4:12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders. We Christians are to "set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). As good testimony to outsiders, Christians can work with non-Christians.

 

[Epiphanygirl]

*Just a thought, I don't know who is in charge of the "Anouncement" sticky..........but don't you think this thread and vote should be there right now? From what I can see, some of the congregational forums don't even know about this yet

 

[arunma]

I would strongly favor a return to CF as a Christians-only site. This does not preclude outreach to non-Christians. The original model was excellent, because it allowed for non-Christian areas, but had forums restricted to believing Christians, and did not allow non-Christian moderators. As has already been said, we must reach out to the world without becoming conformed to the world. Would a church appoint an unbelieving elder or pastor? If not, then why would we have non-Christian moderators? For the same reason, I would strongly favor a return to the old CF.