Purpose of Traditional SDA Sticky Post said:
** DEFINITION OF FELLOWSHIP POST:
It is not debate.
Someone without a SDA faith icon may not discuss reasons for or against a subject being discussed on this forum. This includes questions that essentially are rebuttal or argumentative in nature.
It is not apologetics.
Someone without an SDA flame over the Bible faith icon or SDA church in their profile may not engage in theological discussions that defend their particular point of view on scriptural, theological, doctrinal, SDA belief or political issues.
It is not answering questions.
Let's say a thread is started that asks the question about what do you think about keeping the Sabbath? Only SDAs (those with flame over the Bible faith icon or SDA as the church in their profile) can offer an opinion about that. A member with any other faith icon or with no SDA church in their profile may not answer that question in this forum. This is not to say they don't have an opinion on that topic, but they may not answer that question here. Neither may non-SDAs offer rebuttal to opinions posted in response to a question or discussion.
It is not teaching
If a thread is started that asks a general question such as what do you think XYZ means? Only a member bearing a SDA faith icon (thus identifying him/herself as an SDA) may give instruction on the topic. While there may be many very good ideas on the subject from other members (those bearing any other faith icon) they may not give instruction in the Seventh Day Adventist Forum.
Earnest questions are always welcome, from anyone.
It is
Essentially Fellowship is defined as discussion of topics of association, of companionship - i.e. discussions of things like friends, family, work..... these are fellowship posts. And posts that offer friendship would certainly be described as fellowship