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[WayneB]

If I may be so humble to say something. I believe this site is a Holy site because here we talk to and about God. To me, this is sacred and this site is one of the few that is worldwide that ministers, in its own way, both to Christians and non-believers as well.

God asked us to spread His Word. That is what this site does. I'm positive that lost souls have come here and received the Holy Spirit through witnesses here.

No one ministers to the lost in the same way. Dialog of all different manner is important, because each person may not understand everyone equally.

To me, I look at the future. This site has 6000 members. In a year it may have 16,000. In three years it may have 60,000 members. When some of those future Christians, who found the Love of Christ here, meet you, the moderators, in heaven, it will all be worth it. :hug:

Amazing words and full of wisdom!

Be Blessed,

Wayne

[George]

Interesting topic! As I was just praying about this particular topic, I believe I have found a suitable medium for those wanting to debate serious issues. Before I implement the change I will spend some time in prayer making sure it's the right decision.

The forum -- Controversial Issues -- is truly for controversial issues, but perhaps it should be limited to those who have been around for some time who understand how we run our forums. I believe I'll allow only those who have 250+ posts to post in Controversial. By the time someone gets to 250+ posts, if they have been around that long then they will have spent time reading through the forums and understanding how we like to discuss issues.

Our desire here is to not only provide a place of fellowship, but also a place to disciple and learn. I'll spend some time praying specifically about how we can provide a better atmosphere for everyone desiring to fellowship.

Your brother in Christ with much agape love,

George

[senerhu]

I'm not talking about obvious posts that need to be deleted or obvious new posters who are here to cause problems. Those need to be handled swiftly, and the mods stay on top of that very good.

But - sometimes, a thread just shows up locked or deleted with no explanation. Sometimes there's an explanation and sometimes it's just gone - poof.

Instead of "defending the faith" with unbelievers, before it gets deleted, there's not as much of a chance to do that now. Remember when VOG was here? How long that was allowed to go on? A lot of people "defended the faith" with his "prophecies" for a long time. It got me in the Bible very hard and very often, and I know it did for a few others as well. He never got de-membered that I know of, and very few of his posts got deleted or locked. At the last, he was "monitored" very closely and eventually left of his own, if I understand right, but many people were given the chance to talk with him, to try to show him where he was wrong, etc. Even if newcomers read that, they'd see where VOG was wrong, because he was put to the test over and over.

Aside from that, sometimes a thread disappears because it's "already been talked about", isn't "leading anywhere", "I know it will come to a debate", "it won't come to any good", etc., etc. Or, no explanation at all. Almost like there's an unwritten rule book somewhere, and the only way to know what's in it, is to break it. I don't mean to be disrespectful, and hope I don't sound that way, but I don't think anyone is above being asked questions. Like in church, when the people can't ask the pastor questions, or can't talk with him about something bothering them without seeming to be a trouble maker...

Maybe it's just me. This wasn't intended to hurt anyone - so if it has, forgive me. It was just intended to be put out there, as something I felt and observed and was bothering me. Actually, I really thought it would be deleted right away.

I don't think you're being disrespectful Calamity. I would only interpret what you're saying here as an observation on your part. I've only been here since March of this year, so I can't relate to how it was here a year ago...

[WayneB]

There's more to it than an impression, or putting on an impression. Not everyone agrees on every single issue, and that's not always bad. It can be bad, for sure, and ya'll handle those very efficiently. But, if conversation is stifled, when it's not really ugly, I'd have to say that's showing "false" unity, for the sake of "how it looks" to others. Even if a false teaching comes on board, there are people who like to contend for the faith, at least up to a point. I stop when I feel the person is not responsive. Conformity or uniformity - rather than real unity maybe? But it looks good on the outside. I don't believe in "the end justifies the means". Christians are real people, each individual is different, and there are different views and opinions that need to be represented, not uniformity on all topics.

I agree 100% sister.

I also appreciate your gentle and loving approach to this discussion. We all need to hear this sort of feedback...at least I do. It opens my eyes to your needs and the needs of the membership.

My ONLY issue is that we must always exhibit the wisdom of heaven. [James 3] We should not, and do not in my opinion, expect conformity or uniformity to any specific doctrine or issue. We do expect UNITY among believers, which means that we may not always agree but that we will always express the Fruit of the Spirit when interacting with one another.

Why is this thread succeeding where others have failed? The tone is gentle and loving and respectful and... well, you get the point.

I do love you sister in the Lord and appreciate your strength of character and openess.

Be Blessed,

Wayne

[Kabowd]

Interesting topic! As I was just praying about this particular topic, I believe I have found a suitable medium for those wanting to debate serious issues. Before I implement the change I will spend some time in prayer making sure it's the right decision.

The forum -- Controversial Issues -- is truly for controversial issues, but perhaps it should be limited to those who have been around for some time who understand how we run our forums. I believe I'll allow only those who have 250+ posts to post in Controversial. By the time someone gets to 250+ posts, if they have been around that long then they will have spent time reading through the forums and understanding how we like to discuss issues.

Our desire here is to not only provide a place of fellowship, but also a place to disciple and learn. I'll spend some time praying specifically about how we can provide a better atmosphere for everyone desiring to fellowship.

Your brother in Christ with much agape love,

George

I like this idea, but I'm quite a ways from 250 even though I've posted alot in there. *pouts*

[WayneB]

Interesting topic!  As I was just praying about this particular topic, I believe I have found a suitable medium for those wanting to debate serious issues.  Before I implement the change I will spend some time in prayer making sure it's the right decision.

The forum -- Controversial Issues -- is truly for controversial issues, but perhaps it should be limited to those who have been around for some time who understand how we run our forums.  I believe I'll allow only those who have 250+ posts to post in Controversial.  By the time someone gets to 250+ posts, if they have been around that long then they will have spent time reading through the forums and understanding how we like to discuss issues.

Our desire here is to not only provide a place of fellowship, but also a place to disciple and learn.  I'll spend some time praying specifically about how we can provide a better atmosphere for everyone desiring to fellowship.

Your brother in Christ with much agape love,

George

I like this idea, but I'm quite a ways from 250 even though I've posted alot in there. *pouts*

Not that far! It will go real fast...

[WayneB]

Interesting topic! As I was just praying about this particular topic, I believe I have found a suitable medium for those wanting to debate serious issues. Before I implement the change I will spend some time in prayer making sure it's the right decision.

The forum -- Controversial Issues -- is truly for controversial issues, but perhaps it should be limited to those who have been around for some time who understand how we run our forums. I believe I'll allow only those who have 250+ posts to post in Controversial. By the time someone gets to 250+ posts, if they have been around that long then they will have spent time reading through the forums and understanding how we like to discuss issues.

Our desire here is to not only provide a place of fellowship, but also a place to disciple and learn. I'll spend some time praying specifically about how we can provide a better atmosphere for everyone desiring to fellowship.

Your brother in Christ with much agape love,

George

Good idea George.

Not to beat a horse BUT I would suggest that a Header Message or a Text Box pops up prior to posting asking the poster what James asked his readers? "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." James 3:13

[George]

Any pop-ups would conflict with the private message pop-ups.

I may create a new group called -- JUNIOR MEMBERS which would start at 125 and allow those to post in Controversial issues.

Your brother in Christ with much agape love,

George

[GymRose]

I think the 250 post count for the forum is a great idea.

Calamity I have to agree with Senehu.................. This is an observation on your part. I have only been here since the begining of the year but I have seen the change you are talking about.

One thing I have noticed of late on a couple of threads that were closed was the comment "This has been discussed for 16 or 17 pages now and after that all views should have been voiced". I know there were debates in those threads but there was no rudeness that I saw and I kinda felt it was wrong to close them based on the number of pages because new comers ( people who have only just seen the thread, not new to the board ) come to read it and want to say something and can't and it has only been locked because all views should be there withn the 16 or 17 pages.

I understand the job of the mods is not easy and like all others here I have the greatest respect for all of them and what they do.

[Guest LCPGUY]

Any pop-ups would conflict with the private message pop-ups.

I may create a new group called -- JUNIOR MEMBERS which would start at 125 and allow those to post in Controversial issues.

Your brother in Christ with much agape love,

George

125 or 250? Either would be better than letting newbies in. I actually suggested this a while back but never got a response. Anyway George, I think it