Please read

[daveleau]

Hello Christian brothers and sisters,

We are having some growing pains with our new forum setup. People are cross-posting between the two specific forums. The overarching SDA forum is the only place where people in the "Reformed" (soon to be Progressive) Forum and Traditional Forum can interact. The only exception is in asking an original post question (per thread, you can ask a clarification questions in that thread within reason (posting debate in the form of questions is not allowed)) and in posting fellowship (saying hello, giving encouragement, etc).

A further and more specific definition of FELLOWSHIP is here: http://www.christianforums.com/t2180188-purpose-of-traditional-sda-forum.html

I've been posting this Mod Hat (official staff post) in some of the reported threads today. It is farther reaching, though, and may be missed by some, so I will post it here. While this is tailored to posts in the Traditional area by "Reformed" Forum members, this applies to both groups. Please read and heed.

Thanks,
daveleau
CF Staff

Mod hat on^

Members that identify with the soon-to-be "Progressive" SDA forum are not to post anything other than Fellowship or Questions in the Traditional area.

** 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

Further posting in the SDA forum will result in staff actions. These incursions between the two SDA groups is causing the SDA forum harm. This is because not only does it cause a lot of arguing, but it causes staff to post staff records. These staff records will all-but cancel out any chance that members have for being on staff. That means that you are going to be stuck with rnmomof7 and me for a lot longer.

Please, stick to your areas in the same way that you stay out of the Baptist, Charismatic or Catholic congregational forums. That is how this division is going to be enforced and there is a SDA forum for debate between SDA groups as well.

Any posts not following this after today by previously established SDA members will result in staff reports. (That doesn't mean that you have free reign for the rest of the day, either. It just means that I want to give people time to read this mod hat.)

Thank you,
daveleau
CF Staff

Mod hat off^

 

[PaleHorse]

Thank you for the clarification, daveleau. I appreciate the staff's hard work in our area. I trust that once these "growing pains" have passed that we will have a very inviting, warm, and Christ-like forum that other denominations can post questions to and fellowship.

In Christ,

 

[honorthesabbath]

Amen Palehorse--love and peace among the brethern is the earmark of the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

 

[honorthesabbath]

I may be wrong, but I think that the Progressives are not allowed to start threads in this Traditional side that are argumentitive in nature. Which they have been doing. I see that their side is all but dead and so--in retaliation--they are coming over to this side and are starting fights. I am encouraging all of those folks who are traditionals--to not respond to these attempts at flaming and bashing and stalking. I'm sure that our mods are seeing where the real problem lies and will do something about it very soon. In the mean-time--lets pray for peace and harmony in our Traditional forum. Thank you.

 

[PaleHorse]

You are absolutely correct - neither of the areas (Traditional or Progressive) are debate areas. The only area designated as a debate area is the common area. Why some folks can't follow the rules is beyond me.

 

[SassySDA]

I may be wrong, but I think that the Progressives are not allowed to start threads in this Traditional side that are argumentitive in nature. Which they have been doing. I see that their side is all but dead and so--in retaliation--they are coming over to this side and are starting fights. I am encouraging all of those folks who are traditionals--to not respond to these attempts at flaming and bashing and stalking. I'm sure that our mods are seeing where the real problem lies and will do something about it very soon. In the mean-time--lets pray for peace and harmony in our Traditional forum. Thank you.

No, you aren't wrong.

I have gotten the feeling that some think I am afraid to go out of this comfort zone. Those of you who truly know me, know better than that.

I still say, and will always stand behind the fact that when I am among my own brethren, my fellow Seventh-day Adventist's, I am not wrong to expect an atmosphere of love and acceptance. I have the right to come "home" and rest from the world. That doesn't make me afraid, or stagnant, etc. It makes me smart. I have to refuel to go back out there in trenches.

 

[TrustAndObey]

I went to a really mean high school and it got so bad that we had to start having self-defense courses after school. I thought that was ridiculous because it just fueled the fire...and some of the bullies actually joined the courses just to see how to "counter-attack".

Around the same time our church started teaching anti-bully courses and those were really helpful. I never thought I'd have to use any of the things I learned then in my adult life, but unfortunately it appears that way sometimes.

Jesus loves us all the same, if that bothers anyone they need to take it up with God.

I was sad to see a separation was necessary, but it obviously is. Most of the disputes on here aren't about differences in doctrine but about lack of respect. Regardless of the separation and those that choose not to choose, the rules still cover condescending remarks and belittling comments. Use the features implemented and never "stoop."

I'm not aiming this at anyone in particular, and that is the truth. I just pray that if someone cannot think of anything nice to say in this forum, that they will choose not to say anything at all. If they choose to say something belittling, they should expect some kickback....it's only fair.

 

[jelvenko]

Personally, I think it's kind of sad that we have this division here. I can understand that not everyone will agree with everything, and that each person has their own understanding of the beliefs. But the fact that there is this division, and there's conflict here where we're supposed to be able to come and have fellowship with fellow believers, makes me wonder if we have forgotten what Jesus taught during His ministry...

Just an observation. I do kind of understand having the two groups, but still...

 

[TrustAndObey]

Personally, I think it's kind of sad that we have this division here. I can understand that not everyone will agree with everything, and that each person has their own understanding of the beliefs. But the fact that there is this division, and there's conflict here where we're supposed to be able to come and have fellowship with fellow believers, makes me wonder if we have forgotten what Jesus taught during His ministry...

Just an observation. I do kind of understand having the two groups, but still...

I think the main purpose of the division is so we can fellowship. It was implemented to give us a "safe haven" if you will where we can go without running into differences in doctrine. If it is our desire to debate we can go to the main area of the forum. The problem is that people are "crossing lines" with criticisms, etc and it's going to take a while to get the rules ironed out I think.

 

[daveleau]

Regarding starting posts in other areas, that is fully allowed, provided it is a true question and not debate slid into the question format.

 

[Windmill]

Personally, I think it's kind of sad that we have this division here. I can understand that not everyone will agree with everything, and that each person has their own understanding of the beliefs. But the fact that there is this division, and there's conflict here where we're supposed to be able to come and have fellowship with fellow believers, makes me wonder if we have forgotten what Jesus taught during His ministry...

Just an observation. I do kind of understand having the two groups, but still...

I sometimes feel bullied by the "progressive" or liberal or whatever we're calling them/they're calling themselves so we can avoid confusion.

 

[TrustAndObey]

I sometimes feel bullied by the "progressive" or liberal or whatever we're calling them/they're calling themselves so we can avoid confusion.

Now we can come to this sub-forum without any fear of that type of thing Windmill. I think it's an awesome idea and I have truly enjoyed the peace!