Splitting up Congregations?

[Letalis]

What's going on here?

Split the MJ forum:
http://www.christianforums.com/t5818722

Split the SDA forum:
http://www.christianforums.com/t5795273

Split the Anglican forum:
http://www.christianforums.com/t5731621

Split the Catholic forum:
http://www.christianforums.com/t5714756

I'm incredibly saddened by this. What is going in the congregations that everyone wants to split from those with whom they share disagreements in ideology?

[FreeinChrist]

I am not surprized. The intial chaos and the resultant battles over FSRs probably brought it all to a head.

[pdudgeon]

agreed!
sometimes in order to restore peace and harmony you need to separate the combatants. these aren't just simple disagreements--they have been going on for a while, and as a result the members involved have become entrenched in their views. the problem is that these ongoing battles result in great collateral damage to the forums in question, and we end up loosing lots of members as a result.
it used to be that the prevailing wisdom of the day was "let them fight it out/ can't we all just get along?" but never split the forums. that mindset has proved disasterous, as a perusal of the membership figures would show.
in order to build up the body you need challenge and encouragement/fellowship in equal measures. What we were getting was the challenge with little or no encouragement. as a result it wasn't a healthy atmosphere but a destructive one.:sorry:
So yes, for a while you will be seeing more congregational/forum divisions and the creation of new forums as a result. But hopefully this will bring about a season of healing and renewal.:groupray:

[Saucy]

isn't this what happens in real life? Someone disagrees with the theology and creates a new denomination.

[Letalis]

What can we, as staff, do to facilitate better discussion between these various factions? The SDA forum, for example. The progressives and traditionalists are at each other's throats at every turn. What can we do to ease the tensions and aid in more productive dialogue?

[Protinus]

What can we, as staff, do to facilitate better discussion between these various factions? The SDA forum, for example. The progressives and traditionalists are at each other's throats at every turn. What can we do to ease the tensions and aid in more productive dialogue?


Maybe you should ask the real schismatics who started their own off-site before the reforms.

[flaglady]

You missed both Word of Faith and Charismatic wanting to split from Spirit-filled.

[Sophia7]

What can we, as staff, do to facilitate better discussion between these various factions? The SDA forum, for example. The progressives and traditionalists are at each other's throats at every turn. What can we do to ease the tensions and aid in more productive dialogue?

The SDA poll has resulted in a decision not to split. I think that's for the best in some ways although in other ways it would be easier to split. I think that the members should be encouraged as much as possible to work out problems on their own rather than complaining to the mods about everything. In the SDA forum in particular, there has been too much dependence on the mods to solve all of their problems and then, conversely, too much of a tendency to blame the mods if things don't go the way some people want.

[Tishri1]

I couldnt let MJ split but I will help them do this (http://www.christianforums.com/t5844005-proposal-changing-the-halachic-sub-forum-intoorthodox-messianic-fellowship-forum.html)

I think its a better solution for the MJs anyway, maybe someone else can use the concept in their forum:)I saw the heart of each of you and what unites us is something I hope we never loose:groupray: but that could happen IF we divide into two groups.....It isnt practicle to send us into separate corners and build this place on a divided foundation and I dont think we ever intended to do that , we were just trying to be fair to all ....if one group gets a forum the other should too right? that is a logical conclusion.....but in being fair to all what is the outcome?, we would be dividing ourselves:sigh:...Separating the MJ body from being unified where we are united, and being a light where we need to be a light (in this new CF) more than ever...

BUT if we help those of our membership who need a place of peace ...(not that we're so bad they have to get away from us:P )we will be blessing us all and CF also .... That they are in NEED is plain and simple, when we act in love and help them then we show love and compassion and even practically speaking we show wisdom as well.....It is a very loving thing to do....

We dont need this to be like dividing a bag full of pennies, you get some I get some, we need this to be about helping in an area where our body is in need....If the foot is hurt we dont need to do something nice for the hand just because the foot needed assistance and the hand may feel slighted, no we all help the foot so the whole body can feel better....

I know you guys know this,and I am preaching the the choir I realize that , you all are strong vibrant passionate and compassionate people and I am proud to be counted with you all here....

[Shubunkin]

Wow... that's about all I can say. I didn't think that would happen, and just figured people would stay away from CF for a while, or maybe not return at all. This reaction is a surprise to me. :eek: