Controlled Study Forum/Feature

[HARK!]

I was recently approached by someone who would like to do a private study with me. This wasn't the first time I've been asked to invest considerable time in private studies. He mentioned that he didn't want people jumping into the conversation, creating distraction, making the study difficult to follow, and derailing the purpose.

I explained that such studies require a large investment of time and energy; and that there is value to making our findings available for all to see.

Here is my proposal:

Just as with Personal Messages, the initiator can add people to a closed conversation; but such conversation could be made viewable by all.

My thoughts are that this could be done in a special forum; or that this feature could be triggered by adding a prefix to a thread in a denomination specific forum.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I like this idea. I was wanted to do a defense of the KJV so as to help others, but it turned into a bashing party against what I believed. I would also suggest that there was an option (with a drop down menu option, or the creation of a specific sub thread) that allowed for more than just denomination specific, but it allowed for certain beliefs like: KJVO, Sola Scriptura, Synergism, etc.

For example: In the Eschatology section, there is a Pre-Trib Only option. Why not do this for KJVO or other Christian beliefs?

 

[tampasteve]

I see what you are trying to do, and it is not quite the same as making a bunch of prefixes. We try to make as few prefixes as possible. The intent of the forums is to create discussion and understanding, not balkanize them and limit conversation to KVJO, etc.

There are safe houses when needed, when the demand is high enough, but they are also not involving rather fringe groups - there is demand and a need to "protect" members in a safe area.

But that is not what you are looking for, as I understand it. You are looking for a public study group with limited membership. Basically anyone could read, but only certain members could respond. Unfortunately we don't really allow private/public threads - we don't allow limited conversations between only invited people as it were.

This might not be the best platform for what you are looking for. You could have a group private message or host your thread in a particular forum. Some forums, like Messianic Judaism do have a tag for those members only, depending on the subject matter this might work.

On the other hand, people often ignore the tags and safe house forums, so even having that does not guarantee keeping people from not posting in the thread. Private messages can have many members in them, and members can be added or removed as time goes on.

Am I understanding correctly?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Based on the current info., I think a blogger article where you screen the comments is probably the way to go if the forum currently does not offer such an option in helping out at this time. Just provide a link to the blogger article. I created a blogger article on evidences in defense for the Word of God.

Love Branch: Evidences for the Word of God

I created it in this way because I did not want folks to comment in a negative way to what I said.

 

[HARK!]

I see what you are trying to do, and it is not quite the same as making a bunch of prefixes. We try to make as few prefixes as possible. The intent of the forums is to create discussion and understanding, not balkanize them and limit conversation to KVJO, etc.

There are safe houses when needed, when the demand is high enough, but they are also not involving rather fringe groups - there is demand and a need to "protect" members in a safe area.

But that is not what you are looking for, as I understand it. You are looking for a public study group with limited membership. Basically anyone could read, but only certain members could respond. Unfortunately we don't really allow private/public threads - we don't allow limited conversations between only invited people as it were.

This might not be the best platform for what you are looking for. You could have a group private message or host your thread in a particular forum. Some forums, like Messianic Judaism do have a tag for those members only, depending on the subject matter this might work.

On the other hand, people often ignore the tags and safe house forums, so even having that does not guarantee keeping people from not posting in the thread. Private messages can have many members in them, and members can be added or removed as time goes on.

Am I understanding correctly?

You basically have it.

Perhaps I can ask this non MJ who believes that all scripture is applicable to our lives, and who seeks greater understanding of the harmony of the old and the new, if he would be interested in being a special guest, featured in a MJ only thread. Would this be permissible?

 

[tampasteve]

You basically have it.

Perhaps I can ask this non MJ who believes that all scripture is applicable to our lives, and who seeks greater understanding of the harmony of the old and the new, if he would be interested in being a special guest, featured in a MJ only thread. Would this be permissible?

That sounds like a good plan. So far as this person does not teach or seek to deabate against MJ theology, they are welcome to post in "fellowship" (ask questions, ask for clarification, etc.) in the MJ forum. Do you think that would work?

 

[HARK!]

That sounds like a good plan. So far as this person does not teach or seek to deabate against MJ theology, they are welcome to post in "fellowship" (ask questions, ask for clarification, etc.) in the MJ forum. Do you think that would work?

I believe that is what this person is seeking, just someone to sit down with him and explain things to him. That can be a very time consuming exercise. He would like me to do that privately, so that we aren't interrupted. I would like to do it openly so that others can benefit from the work.

Having other MJs bring their understanding to the table is even better yet. I'll be sure to go over the rules with him, to keep him safe.

Thanks for helping me to find a solution.

 

[tampasteve]

I believe that is what this person is seeking, just someone to sit down with him and explain things to him. That can be a very time consuming exercise. He would like me to do that privately, so that we aren't interrupted. I would like to do it openly so that others can benefit from the work.

Having other MJs bring their understanding to the table is even better yet. I'll be sure to go over the rules with him, to keep him safe.

Thanks for helping me to find a solution.

That's great! Maybe I will chime in on occasion too, I still keep close to the Messianic movement and studies.