Tallen
11th September 2008, 07:48 PM
This was posted a few months ago, but I would like to remind us all again.
I have been considering the original intended purpose of LAD. And from the get go it was never intended to compete with big forums like CARM and others that literally have thousands and thousands of users. We really don’t push to grow our membership and I think we all appreciate a place to come and experience discussions without the tension that exists other places. Also, the purpose was never intended to be a debate forum, although I don’t discourage wholesome debates that will give us some insight into the Christian church and if the debates inform us rather than just act as a means of disagreement. And finally, I see LAD as an extension of my everyday ministry and a tool for teaching the Christian faith. And that is truly the simple fact of the matter; LAD is intended to be a teaching tool for its members. A place where questions can be asked and answers found without a lot of distracting noise by detractors or without condemnation and ill feelings toward any who come for answers.
Now with that said. It seems as though in the last couple of months or so the conversations have become more and more just a repeated exercise of what is happening on CARM. Sometimes we are just repeating a conversation and doing it in a mini-form, or just voicing frustration about someone or something that is said over there. It seems that, we as an overall group are starting down a road where we will end up being just another place to argue and voice differences over every subject under the sun. Let’s make an effort to avoid letting that happen. I sincerely would like LAD to be a tool to challenge all of us, and an outlet for folks who come to us and are products of the Reformations teachings and doctrines. This includes, Anglican, Baptist, Calvinist, Arminian, Lutheran, and others who can with a Christian heart teach and dialog around the scriptures and the important teachings of the church. This does not mean we will always agree, but we can always agree to respect and treat each other with a great deal compassion and tolerance. This also includes young Christians, who can come here and asked the questions they may encounter, and get straight answers from us and not feel condemnation as a result. Answers from more mature Christian believers who can offer substance to their words rather than making folks feel as though they are here to defend themselves for every thought they think.
To the LAD Members*. LAD is for you to teach and learn. It is a place that is provided for you to express yourself in a manner that will teach all of us and keep us on the track toward the goal. I truly want a diversity of Christian opinion, theology and views to be represented here, and I think we can have that without debating every point and taking the mind that we must “defend the faith” among brothers and sisters in Christ. As someone is teaching in a thread (as there are some threads where someone is trying to teach an idea or concept), I would encourage you to drop the tendency to argue every point. Instead turn to questions that will challenge and help all of us discover the Christian faith. Challenge us through wholesome discussion rather than looking for weakness. I hope that makes sense.
This is said, not to discourage good discussion, but to put LAD back on track. There is a CARM for doing the CARM stuff, and there is a LAD for doing the LAD stuff. I hope you will all see the importance of this and take this in the manner it is meant. Not as a rebuke, but a reminder of the LAD goal. And if this is meant for anyone, it is meant for my own reminder first, and as a goal not a discouragement.
Blessing to all of you that come to LAD, and please feel free to let me know what you think and desire to see on LAD. I pray that the Lord will bless you richly and carry you to new heights in knowing Him and His mercy, grace and love.
I have been considering the original intended purpose of LAD. And from the get go it was never intended to compete with big forums like CARM and others that literally have thousands and thousands of users. We really don’t push to grow our membership and I think we all appreciate a place to come and experience discussions without the tension that exists other places. Also, the purpose was never intended to be a debate forum, although I don’t discourage wholesome debates that will give us some insight into the Christian church and if the debates inform us rather than just act as a means of disagreement. And finally, I see LAD as an extension of my everyday ministry and a tool for teaching the Christian faith. And that is truly the simple fact of the matter; LAD is intended to be a teaching tool for its members. A place where questions can be asked and answers found without a lot of distracting noise by detractors or without condemnation and ill feelings toward any who come for answers.
Now with that said. It seems as though in the last couple of months or so the conversations have become more and more just a repeated exercise of what is happening on CARM. Sometimes we are just repeating a conversation and doing it in a mini-form, or just voicing frustration about someone or something that is said over there. It seems that, we as an overall group are starting down a road where we will end up being just another place to argue and voice differences over every subject under the sun. Let’s make an effort to avoid letting that happen. I sincerely would like LAD to be a tool to challenge all of us, and an outlet for folks who come to us and are products of the Reformations teachings and doctrines. This includes, Anglican, Baptist, Calvinist, Arminian, Lutheran, and others who can with a Christian heart teach and dialog around the scriptures and the important teachings of the church. This does not mean we will always agree, but we can always agree to respect and treat each other with a great deal compassion and tolerance. This also includes young Christians, who can come here and asked the questions they may encounter, and get straight answers from us and not feel condemnation as a result. Answers from more mature Christian believers who can offer substance to their words rather than making folks feel as though they are here to defend themselves for every thought they think.
To the LAD Members*. LAD is for you to teach and learn. It is a place that is provided for you to express yourself in a manner that will teach all of us and keep us on the track toward the goal. I truly want a diversity of Christian opinion, theology and views to be represented here, and I think we can have that without debating every point and taking the mind that we must “defend the faith” among brothers and sisters in Christ. As someone is teaching in a thread (as there are some threads where someone is trying to teach an idea or concept), I would encourage you to drop the tendency to argue every point. Instead turn to questions that will challenge and help all of us discover the Christian faith. Challenge us through wholesome discussion rather than looking for weakness. I hope that makes sense.
This is said, not to discourage good discussion, but to put LAD back on track. There is a CARM for doing the CARM stuff, and there is a LAD for doing the LAD stuff. I hope you will all see the importance of this and take this in the manner it is meant. Not as a rebuke, but a reminder of the LAD goal. And if this is meant for anyone, it is meant for my own reminder first, and as a goal not a discouragement.
Blessing to all of you that come to LAD, and please feel free to let me know what you think and desire to see on LAD. I pray that the Lord will bless you richly and carry you to new heights in knowing Him and His mercy, grace and love.