Membership Guidelines - New & Revised

[edie19]

Ok folks - after much discussion both here and amongst the CC staff the majority of members prefer a topic moderated forum versus a membership list. I want to thank everyone who offered their viewpoints and especially recognize synger (who put hours of work into getting everything started and articulated - she’s been indispensable)

This format will allow us to keep discussion in the main forum conservative based on the Statement of Faith. In using the guidelines of what is considered acceptable conservative stances the moderating job becomes much easier - we won’t have to go back and forth between the membership list (which has been known to change on a daily basis) and the post (even if the person is on the list their post might be against the SOF). Neither will we have to determine if a post is fellowship (which is very subjective) vs. debate. Currently if it is debate we check to see if it is in accordance with the SoF or we just delete it as non-member/non-fellowship.

With the topic moderated forum staff simply has to:
* Check potential violations to see if they break a site-wide rule.
* Check potential violations to see if they are posted within the framework of "conservative" thought as outlined in the SoF.

Our Statement of Faith is very clear and all staff believes that no “liberal” viewpoint will be able to stand up to it as far as moderating is concerned. There will be some minor changes to our SoF & Guidelines removing the membership list references.

As a FYI - we’ve gotten lots of positive feedback on this option from administrators - to the point that it has been suggested that other congregational forums might be looking to us as an example of how to function under the “new CF.”

CC staff is committed to dealing with posts that are contrary to conservative Christian beliefs. We want CC to continue to be a place of safe fellowship for like-minded Christians.

Thank you again for your input, patience and understanding throughout all the changes we've undergone to date (and will go through in the coming weeks).

edie (edb19)
CC moderator

 

[Latreia]

This sounds truly better than having a members' list. It really was ineffective.

I strongly support these guidelines and the efforts of Staff to maintain the integrity of this forum. Most of all, I urge the Moderators here to work in the cause of reducing posts reported here.

From the Statement of Faith guidelines:

"Truth and Love are both God's character.

All truth can be expressed in love. When addressing others in the forum we should hold ourselves accountable to the belief that all people are created in God's image, and as such deserve a basic level of respect, regardless of their deeds.

This is not meant to muzzle honest discourse or comment, but to remind that all truth, must be expressed in love.

Therefore, Conservative Christians may not flame visitors but rather seek to reason with them with an attitude of service and love."

We are all deserving of a basic level of respect, as members of CF, all who post here should be held accountable to this same idea.

Visitors who post here should be counted as guests, who are also bound to show respect for their hosts. courtesy and consideration should be expected from everyone.

That would also make this forum an example for the other congregations.
And I deeply believe that those others would celebrate seeing it done on CF.

Here I am assuming that, as the post by Edie states, staff are going to take an active roll in threads here rather than totally rely on members reporting posts before action is taken.

Positive action by staff can not only nip problems in the bud, preventing growing frustrations that result in posts that have to be reported, but also offer their own posts as examples of what is expected in the posts of others, both members and visitors.

So many posting aver they resent being treated "like children" and staff should take that as a sign to treat them like adults who are responsible for their words and their attitudes.

Once again, the emphasis is on the posting attitudes of staff who post in threads, whether it is their opinion not as staff, it is still their duty to set the example.

*Remember, members are not allowed to put any staff on their Ignore Lists. Because of that, staff is NOT on the same level as members, even when posting their own comments in threads.

 

[MN John]

Sounds good. It will cut down on all of the "take me off" & "put me back on" posts too!

 

[drstevej]

Sonds good. It will cut down on all of the "take me off" & "put me back on" posts too!

What will I do with my spare time, then?

Beg REPS, of course.

 

[Criada]

Sounds great!

 

[Latreia]

What will I do with my spare time, then?

Beg REPS, of course.

Sorry, it's against my rules to feed Reppensteiners.

How about a gift of my esteem?