Post by Soulfyre on Oct 25, 2004 3:34:03 GMT -5
Welcome to the Christian Convocation, a gathering place for those who seek God and those who, in seeking, have been found by Him!
In beginning this effort, I'm reminded of the words of John, the Apostle, who said in his first letter, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.â€(I John 4:1-11)
I hope that this will be a place that we can express that love for one another as we share with one another in learning from God's word, encouraging one another in the faith, building up one another, and praying for one another. Holy Scripture, as God’s inerrant and infallible word, will be of pre-eminence in our discussions, for it is only of Scripture that Paul say: “All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebukiung, correcting and training in righteousness, so that God’s person may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.†Although we may respectfully disagree with one another on points of doctrine, we must always return to His word as the final authority of faith and practice. And while I encourage vigorous debate, I will strictly adhere to and enforce the courtesy that we should always show one another. And in some cases, we may even have to agree to disagree, yet remain brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.
Just some brief ground rules. Some of these should go without saying in Christian communities, but I feel it better if you all know my mind:
1) All discussions and debates are to remain civil and courteous. We may disagree vehemently on many issues, but disagreements should not and cannot be an excuse for ad hominem arguments such as insults and slanders which have no place in a Christian community. Foul or abusive language wil not be tolerated. Those vocabularies are limited to the use of such words will have their post(s) removed. Violation of this standard will be dealt with swiftly, first by warning, and then by blocking the offending poster from the community. We are hear to learn and encourage one another, not to bite and devour one another.
2) For this forum it will be assumed that the Bible is infallible and inerrant, and is the final word on belief and practice (doctrine) in the Christian community. I am from a Reformed Protestant tradition, and my assumptions will color my responses. This is not to deny the value of church practice and tradition (dogma), but I don't look at tradition as finally authoritative. This will undoubtedly differ from our friends from the Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions. I believe that valuable discussions may be had in this area, but it is important that we all know our perspectives when we choose to differ on some points. [Note: My views here are undergoing some change. Not concerning the Bible being authoritative, mind you, but concerning the place of tradition as both an important hermeneutical framework for Biblical interpretation, and a source of authoritative understanding of praxis in the Christian community.]
3) I reserve the right to control spamming in the forums. But I do not do so with a heavy hand. For example, if someone in the prayer forum shares a prayer request with us, I have not problems with any number of follow-up items which may simply say, "I'll pray," or "I'm praying, too!" And if you think some person made a very valid point in discussion, I'm not going to immediately delete an "Amen to that!", "Preach it, brother...", or "You go, girl!" Sometimes even a short response can be uplifting. But if I see a number of "Yes!", "No!", "I said it first!", etc. . responses more appropriate to Instant Messaging instead of forums, I will issue a gentle reminder...then I will remove the offending posts to a spam area.
4) Any threads promoting heresies or cults will be terminated. While some may consider this arbitrary, or merely a matter of opinion, I will refer to both rule 2 and church history to justify my claims. This forum is not designed to become the devil's playground for the latest spiritual fad on an opportunity to resurrect an old heresy.
5) Participation in most areas will be limited to registered members of the forum. This allows a little more control and helps us to avoid becoming the target of secular, agnostic, or atheist posters who wish to argue, deride, and make the area unwelcome to Christians, for whom it was designed. Since registration requires minimal information, and is free, I hope this will not be a burden.
6) Please introduce yourself to us once you have registered, so that we may know a little more about you. This may be done with a brief statement or personal "testimony" in the Introductions all around... board. It is often helpful, if we are to behave as a community, that we have some sense of knowing one another.
7) We currently allow you to mention your own forums, blogs, or websites but...as a courtesy, we would prefer that you keep your “advertisements†to a simple reference and brief description, not a full page ad. We are a mutually supportive forum, and I regularly recommend other websites. But this is not primarily a place to troll for members.
8) I reserve the right to modify these rules, with the advice and consent of members and fellow moderators as necessary. If changes are made, I will always post them in the news flash are.
Thank you, in advance, for being willing to adhere to these rules. God bless you for becoming involved in our community, ane helping it grow and become a vital ministry in the lives of many!
Matthew (soulfyre)
In beginning this effort, I'm reminded of the words of John, the Apostle, who said in his first letter, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.â€(I John 4:1-11)
I hope that this will be a place that we can express that love for one another as we share with one another in learning from God's word, encouraging one another in the faith, building up one another, and praying for one another. Holy Scripture, as God’s inerrant and infallible word, will be of pre-eminence in our discussions, for it is only of Scripture that Paul say: “All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebukiung, correcting and training in righteousness, so that God’s person may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.†Although we may respectfully disagree with one another on points of doctrine, we must always return to His word as the final authority of faith and practice. And while I encourage vigorous debate, I will strictly adhere to and enforce the courtesy that we should always show one another. And in some cases, we may even have to agree to disagree, yet remain brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.
Just some brief ground rules. Some of these should go without saying in Christian communities, but I feel it better if you all know my mind:
1) All discussions and debates are to remain civil and courteous. We may disagree vehemently on many issues, but disagreements should not and cannot be an excuse for ad hominem arguments such as insults and slanders which have no place in a Christian community. Foul or abusive language wil not be tolerated. Those vocabularies are limited to the use of such words will have their post(s) removed. Violation of this standard will be dealt with swiftly, first by warning, and then by blocking the offending poster from the community. We are hear to learn and encourage one another, not to bite and devour one another.
2) For this forum it will be assumed that the Bible is infallible and inerrant, and is the final word on belief and practice (doctrine) in the Christian community. I am from a Reformed Protestant tradition, and my assumptions will color my responses. This is not to deny the value of church practice and tradition (dogma), but I don't look at tradition as finally authoritative. This will undoubtedly differ from our friends from the Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions. I believe that valuable discussions may be had in this area, but it is important that we all know our perspectives when we choose to differ on some points. [Note: My views here are undergoing some change. Not concerning the Bible being authoritative, mind you, but concerning the place of tradition as both an important hermeneutical framework for Biblical interpretation, and a source of authoritative understanding of praxis in the Christian community.]
3) I reserve the right to control spamming in the forums. But I do not do so with a heavy hand. For example, if someone in the prayer forum shares a prayer request with us, I have not problems with any number of follow-up items which may simply say, "I'll pray," or "I'm praying, too!" And if you think some person made a very valid point in discussion, I'm not going to immediately delete an "Amen to that!", "Preach it, brother...", or "You go, girl!" Sometimes even a short response can be uplifting. But if I see a number of "Yes!", "No!", "I said it first!", etc. . responses more appropriate to Instant Messaging instead of forums, I will issue a gentle reminder...then I will remove the offending posts to a spam area.
4) Any threads promoting heresies or cults will be terminated. While some may consider this arbitrary, or merely a matter of opinion, I will refer to both rule 2 and church history to justify my claims. This forum is not designed to become the devil's playground for the latest spiritual fad on an opportunity to resurrect an old heresy.
5) Participation in most areas will be limited to registered members of the forum. This allows a little more control and helps us to avoid becoming the target of secular, agnostic, or atheist posters who wish to argue, deride, and make the area unwelcome to Christians, for whom it was designed. Since registration requires minimal information, and is free, I hope this will not be a burden.
6) Please introduce yourself to us once you have registered, so that we may know a little more about you. This may be done with a brief statement or personal "testimony" in the Introductions all around... board. It is often helpful, if we are to behave as a community, that we have some sense of knowing one another.
7) We currently allow you to mention your own forums, blogs, or websites but...as a courtesy, we would prefer that you keep your “advertisements†to a simple reference and brief description, not a full page ad. We are a mutually supportive forum, and I regularly recommend other websites. But this is not primarily a place to troll for members.
8) I reserve the right to modify these rules, with the advice and consent of members and fellow moderators as necessary. If changes are made, I will always post them in the news flash are.
Thank you, in advance, for being willing to adhere to these rules. God bless you for becoming involved in our community, ane helping it grow and become a vital ministry in the lives of many!
Matthew (soulfyre)
