What Difference Does it Make?? Is this Forum REALLY APOSTOLIC?????

[ReformedDave]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Maybe I'm missing something. Is this suppose to be a completely serious, indepth forum?

I do understand that this is a far different forum than Jim Yohe's was so I guess the answer is 'No".

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

I do understand that this is a far different forum than Jim Yohe's was so I guess the answer is 'No".

I think there is a good mix for the most part here. To have more indepth discussions, there just needs to be more willing to make them.

[Tina]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I think there is a good mix for the most part here. To have more indepth discussions, there just needs to be more willing to make them.

The thing that I am seeing that REALLY does bother me about this forum is that when someone DOES start a serious type thread... someone comes in and derails the discussion and takes it off on something else totally off the wall-- and the original poster just gives up on the discussion.

Maybe we as admins need to step up in those threads and tell people to take the "playing" out to another thread. But honestly I don't have time to do that kind of babysitting.

People just need to learn to respect the serious discussions enough to stop doing that to the threads. Otherwise, eventually those who are attempting to carry on some serious discussions are just going to give up and leave. JMO. (And that's my personal opinion... not that of the administrative team)

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Tina

The thing that I am seeing that REALLY does bother me about this forum is that when someone DOES start a serious type thread... someone comes in and derails the discussion and takes it off on something else totally off the wall-- and the original poster just gives up on the discussion.

Maybe we as admins need to step up in those threads and tell people to take the "playing" out to another thread. But honestly I don't have time to do that kind of babysitting.

People just need to learn to respect the serious discussions enough to stop doing that to the threads. Otherwise, eventually those who are attempting to carry on some serious discussions are just going to give up and leave. JMO. (And that's my personal opinion... not that of the administrative team)

Very good point and I think you might have hit the nail squarely on the head.

[JN Anderson]

I think that AFF must make a decision, or must have already made a decision, to either be a genuinely Apostolic forum (holding to Apostolic fundamentals, not necessarily standards) or to be an ecumenical forum. We then will decide if we wish to be a part one way or the other.

[Felicity]

I'm guilty of posting off-topic. Oftentimes I respond to a comment someone has made in a previous post that might or might not have much to do with the original subject. But really, all it takes is for someone to jerk it back on topic.

I don't see how going off-topic can be prevented. It happens in real life discussion ... people digress ... then go back to the original subject.

It seems at present there just aren't enough people who are willing to put the time and energy into keeping some of these discussions going. Not enough "iron" anymore I guess. Or enough energy or interest.

I know we have people posting who are good thinkers, intelligent and articulate. Perhaps it's that we've already gone over many of these things already .... same people posting the same things and responding to the same issues.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Felicity

I'm guilty of posting off-topic. Oftentimes I respond to a comment someone has made in a previous post that might or might not have much to do with the original subject. But really, all it takes is for someone to jerk it back on topic.

I don't see how going off-topic can be prevented. It happens in real life discussion ... people digress ... then go back to the original subject.

It seems at present there just aren't enough people who are willing to put the time and energy into keeping some of these discussions going. Not enough "iron" anymore I guess. Or enough energy or interest.

I know we have people posting who are good thinkers, intelligent and articulate. Perhaps it's that we've already gone over many of these things already .... same people posting the same things and responding to the same issues.

I think there's a difference in what you are talking about and what Tina said. You are right, most threads will get off topic, but usually comes back around.

What I read from Tina's post is those that start "making light" or joking with the poster causing a defensive type posting necessary completely breaking down the discussion.

[TRIPLE E]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Guess we need to define Apostolic.

Have fun!

[Tina]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Perhaps it's that we've already gone over many of these things already .... same people posting the same things and responding to the same issues.

Maybe. But different things come out each time a topic is discussed. There's a different audience each time.... and you just never know who will pick up something from the posts that will feed their soul.

I went through a year when our church was without a pastor. Then there were some additional things that happened following that which made me question if church was even where I wanted to be at all.

It was one of the roughest times I'd ever been through. If it hadn't been for some of the ministers and the things they posted on the forums... I wouldn't have had the strength to go on-- and quite honestly-- I don't know that I'd still be attending church at all if it hadn't been for some of the things the ministers and other people on these forums said that kept me encouraged.

I don't want people to think that it's not worth the time to post your comments again. You never know who is reading these forums that needs to read exactly what you feel is something you've said a million times before... and just don't think it's worth saying again.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by TRIPLE E

Have fun!

I know, but that's the root of the problem.