Christian Forums Under New Management

[icedtea]

Good riddance to wikiville!

 

[The Princess Bride]

Where's Max? He's missing out on all the fun!

 

[Tangeloper]

I have a feeling I will be really happy about this change.

 

[Servant222]

Some people make it happen.

Others watch it happen.

I'm one of the dumb ones asking "what happened?". Maybe someone could enlighten me?

------------------------------

1. So is it true- are we back to the old "Christian Forums"?

- I thought that things had settled down here with For.U.ms and were working quite well.

2. Have we changed WEB Administrators? Erwin is in, out, retired, semi-retired, or something else?

3. Do we still have the same benevolent dictatorship structure- the WEB master is the be all and end all, and ultimate definer of the truth?

- This is something I really don't like because I am always nervous when there is too much concentrated power- that is why we have boards, committees, elected governments, etc. I think it is always better to have a structure that shares power and ensures that all ideas- good or bad, ultimately accepted or not, can be expressed, and that more than one mind ultimately decides what is best. Of course, if Jesus himself was the WEB master............

4. I would like Christian Forums to aspire to being the most effective world-wide church that ever was. It will never replace a true church of believers that can physically meet and share communion, provide baptism, etc. But there is a vast audience out there that wants to follow the Christian faith- but can't because of their location, political structure, etc. If this can be their church, and bring glory to God, then let's have more of it!!

Thanks.

 

[Fireinfolding]

I'm cool with a private staff forum if it's strictly for administrative matters. It would need strict guidelines to keep it from becoming full of gossip and bickering, though.

Especially when their own consciences didnt work the last time

 

[brachah]

i hope the site can attract more judeo-christian believers. + remove CULTS fm this site! GBU all.

 

[Tangeloper]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your patience. In the past 18 days, I have had a lot of PMs from people sharing their concerns and hopes. I want you to know that I have listened, and in the next 5 days we will be addressing many of those concerns, including:

1. Overwhelming support to return to the christianforums.com site.
2. Concern about efficacy of Wiki Policy
3. Rules
4. Desire for unbiased and fair staff action
5. Fear that changes will adversely affect groups on the forum

In order to make sure that we can make the forum a better place for everyone, I am going to:

1. Gather a small group of advisory members
2. Create private staff forums to discuss staff structure and policy going forward.
3. Return the site to a more inreach focus as contrasted with outreach. This will not affect access for non-Christians.
4. Work with Christian and non-Christian staff to determine where non-Christian staff may mod.
5. Create a new policy for staff. Staff serve at my pleasure, they will no longer be elected or subject to member recall.
6. Instate a reconciliation team to handle appeals, mediate member-member conflict, staff-member conflict, oversee staff, and make recommendations to my designee as concerns staff discipline, and or staff removal.
7. Provide a wiki formatted forum for members to discuss a rule or provide solutions to a problem.
8. Turn on the infraction system with some modifications.

New Staff Structure
Moderation:
Mods -Admins (team leaders) - Advisors

Staff conflict/discipline:
Mods -Admins (team leaders) - Advisors/HR Assistant

Staff Action Mediation:
(members) - Reconciliation team - Advisors/HR Assistant

Technical support:
Superadmins

Temporary rules:

• The names or titles of God, including Jesus Christ and the Persons of the Trinity (Father, Son, or Holy Spirit), in any language, are not to be used as expletives or interjections or in an abusive, mocking, or insulting way.

• Sharing of information about one's beliefs, for instance by quoting Bible verses or witnessing, is encouraged. Honest debate and discussion regarding the existence and nature of God is allowed and welcome. Mockery of Christians, Christians beliefs, and the Christian God are not.

• Promotion of the religion or rituals of Satanism is strictly prohibited. Promotion is defined as the active attempt to sway others to Satanic beliefs and/or practices.

• Flaming, baiting, trolling, or feeding trolls is not allowed. This also applies to groups. In other words, play nice, don't hurt others, nor call them names.

• If you think you are being flamed, choose *not* to be offended, but instead take a break, and communicate, rather than escalating or accusing others.

• Defamation is not allowed.

• Harassment of another member is not allowed.

• Threads which are off topic for the individual forums are not allowed, and substantial derails ot threads are not looked upon in a favorable fashion.

• Congregational Forums wishing to remain safe havens may choose to limit debate to members of their own denomination, insist that all posts conform to their creed etc.

• Age and or gender restrictions are to be respected.

• Reasonable confidentiality will be respected by Staff and Members, alike.

• Issues with staff decisions should be taken to the staff member, then the reconciliation team, period. Don't post them, don't PM them to others, don't take them to Lee.

• Do not say racist or sexist things. If the swear filter is activated, edit your post, don't try to bypass it. Don't post graphics or text you would not be comfortable sharing with someone's grandmother.

• Don't break the law, don't violate copyright, threaten others, or do or promote anything illegal.

• Don't spam in threads or sigs, don't promote get rich quick schemes anywhere on the site.

• Use the brain God gave you. Think before you post. Think about how your post may affect someone else.

This sounds wonderfully simple, straightforward, and altogether good! Thank you so much, Lee! I look forward to helping you in any way I can!
God bless you & yours,
Tange

 

[scraparcs]

I just want to know whose boots I should lick in order to assist with more technical matters. I'm perfectly thrilled to take orders.

 

[Blackguard_]

This is something I really don't like because I am always nervous when there is too much concentrated power- that is why we have boards, committees, elected governments, etc. I think it is always better to have a structure that shares power and ensures that all ideas- good or bad, ultimately accepted or not, can be expressed, and that more than one mind ultimately decides what is best.

Well, he did say Mods woul serve at his pleasure, but also that the Reconciliation Team would report to his "designee", so it may be more of a "benevolent Satrapy" in light of Lee having other forums to run/have run.

Also, keep in mind Lee owns the board, so any elected oficcials, councils, etc. would exist only at his whim. You couldn't really share power on this board outside of being a partner/shareholder of Lee's company, which I don't know if he has any(IIRC, Lee's company is the techncial owner of the site).

 

[Criada]

Thank you, Lee!

 

[Servant222]

I tried to find Lee's home church in Wills Point, Texas- not listed as shown.

Can someone point me in the right direction- URL, address, etc.

 

[Speculative]

It looks pretty good to me, Lee. Thanks for all your hard work and God Bless you and everyone here at what-soon-will-once-again-be Christianforums.com

 

[Angel4Truth]

See my dollies banner

 

[scraparcs]

It's all about power. So it will be all the same and no different, it's just who plays for power where and when.

So what really drives the world, power, prestige, or money? Hahahaha.....

-Gadflyette

 

[Bananna]

Lee,
May the Lord bless you and keep you safe from harm
May He make his face to shine on you causing you to prosper
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you his shalom.

Thank you for making simple clear rules...
I hope to be of service in the present structure.

Blessings
bananna

 

[ALiberalTeen]

I'm a little concerned about no more mod apps and staff serving at your pleasure. You've previously stated that you are a conservative and so i'm just wondering if that will be a factor with your choice of staff?

But besides that, awesome news! thank you! good luck! and God bless you!

 

[joaddi3]

i am very hopeful here for the first time in a while...thanks Lee

 

[mnphysicist]

God Bless you Lee... I too will be praying for you... you are surrounding yourself with great leadership.

As to the teens section which I am a mod over... because of the sensitive nature and different circumstances involved with the minors - we will be able to keep the rules that we are currently in process of adjusting to better meet the unique needs of the teens?

I believe mnphysicist might be aware of these changes - if not our Admins would be glad to share that information with you...

God Bless brother and thank you for bringing back CF...

The teens area is quite unique, and specific solutions are already in the works, including the appointment of cat_goes_meow as a admin over that forum exclusively.

Thanks for the quick answer Lee. How about the reports, will they remain open or will they go back to being private?

Reports will return to being private.

Good question on the reports. Also, the rules need to be numbered somehow (makes it easier when posting which rule was violated when a post is edited or deleted).

Hopefully I'll get the rule uploaded in the faq in the next 24 hours. I will add numbers as well.

 

[Gwenyfur]

ack!

It just hit me...
gotta redo all the angel graphics if we're goin' back to CF

oy vey!

 

[Letalis]

Good point on the name change. Should I go through the forums and change the names back to include CF?