Hello Dear Ones...

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

:hug:

I hope you know that all y'all mean alot to me and I think by now you know that I respect each one of you for being the stand up Christians you are.

However, I would like to make a suggestion for us all. I've noticed that we jump to conclusions when something we question as Conservative Christians is brought to light. While it is good to take a stand, it is better to use wisdom and have patience in these matters. We should not be jumping at the slightest hint of impropriety or what LOOKS like misconduct to us.

I'm NOT suggesting that we don't speak up, but that we WAIT for the right time to do so. When we blow things out of proportion we make ourselves look bad and end up not being taken seriously in the process.

Please take this in the spirit that it was written. I'm not pointing fingers, I'm not judging anyone...I'm simply making a point about our reactions that I feel needs to be brought out. Instead of reacting, let's respond with grace, love...and patience.

:hug:

[NewGuy101]

wow...what I miss?

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

wow...what I miss?
Nothing specific...just an observation. :hug:

[KarenJoy]

:hug:

I hope you know that all y'all mean alot to me and I think by now you know that I respect each one of you for being the stand up Christians you are.

However, I would like to make a suggestion for us all. I've noticed that we jump to conclusions when something we question as Conservative Christians is brought to light. While it is good to take a stand, it is better to use wisdom and have patience in these matters. We should not be jumping at the slightest hint of impropriety or what LOOKS like misconduct to us.

I'm NOT suggesting that we don't speak up, but that we WAIT for the right time to do so. When we blow things out of proportion we make ourselves look bad and end up not being taken seriously in the process.

Please take this in the spirit that it was written. I'm not pointing fingers, I'm not judging anyone...I'm simply making a point about our reactions that I feel needs to be brought out. Instead of reacting, let's respond with grace, love...and patience.

:hug:

This is very wise
Thank you for posting

[Gregged]

:hug:

I hope you know that all y'all mean alot to me and I think by now you know that I respect each one of you for being the stand up Christians you are.

However, I would like to make a suggestion for us all. I've noticed that we jump to conclusions when something we question as Conservative Christians is brought to light. While it is good to take a stand, it is better to use wisdom and have patience in these matters. We should not be jumping at the slightest hint of impropriety or what LOOKS like misconduct to us.

I'm NOT suggesting that we don't speak up, but that we WAIT for the right time to do so. When we blow things out of proportion we make ourselves look bad and end up not being taken seriously in the process.

Please take this in the spirit that it was written. I'm not pointing fingers, I'm not judging anyone...I'm simply making a point about our reactions that I feel needs to be brought out. Instead of reacting, let's respond with grace, love...and patience.

:hug:


I understand Lady Trekki :hug: Just that I have no reason to trust the site owner to make any good decisions with the (Christian) spiritual aspects of the forum at the moment :(

:sigh:

[NewGuy101]

I understand Lady Trekki :hug: Just that I have no reason to trust the site owner to make any good decisions with the (Christian) spiritual aspects of the forum at the moment :(

:sigh:
I concur. Not to mention I haven't really seen any baseless accusations or giant leaps of faith when it comes down to many of the positions in this website.

[GreenMunchkin]

Concur, mama :hug::hug:

Still reckon this is the nicest bit of CF/4U, though... :sorry:

[Criada]

:hug:

I hope you know that all y'all mean alot to me and I think by now you know that I respect each one of you for being the stand up Christians you are.

However, I would like to make a suggestion for us all. I've noticed that we jump to conclusions when something we question as Conservative Christians is brought to light. While it is good to take a stand, it is better to use wisdom and have patience in these matters. We should not be jumping at the slightest hint of impropriety or what LOOKS like misconduct to us.

I'm NOT suggesting that we don't speak up, but that we WAIT for the right time to do so. When we blow things out of proportion we make ourselves look bad and end up not being taken seriously in the process.

Please take this in the spirit that it was written. I'm not pointing fingers, I'm not judging anyone...I'm simply making a point about our reactions that I feel needs to be brought out. Instead of reacting, let's respond with grace, love...and patience.

:hug:


:amen:
:hug: :hug:

[Macrina]

Wise advice. :thumbsup:

[bill16652]

You are my friend and have been but I fail to see where we have really jumped. When leadership truly becomes open and shows good judgement then maybe we would be more wait and see. The fact that certain issues have even been raised is amazing. The fact that only by the courage of a staff member did any of us find out what is going on, this raises some real issues not only with credebility but also with trust as well. I have tried for a while now to get each section notified of WIKI's and polls concerning WIKI's and it has been met with resistance, When the openness of this site is truly open maybe people will not jump. As far as the issues which have been jumped they deserved to be. If the members are to truly run this site then there needs to be more than justy a few making things happen and snapshotting them. Lets get the whole community involved with the process.

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

You are my friend and have been but I fail to see where we have really jumped. When leadership truly becomes open and shows good judgement then maybe we would be more wait and see. The fact that certain issues have even been raised is amazing. The fact that only by the courage of a staff member did any of us find out what is going on, this raises some real issues not only with credebility but also with trust as well. I have tried for a while now to get each section notified of WIKI's and polls concerning WIKI's and it has been met with resistance, When the openness of this site is truly open maybe people will not jump. As far as the issues which have been jumped they deserved to be. If the members are to truly run this site then there needs to be more than justy a few making things happen and snapshotting them. Lets get the whole community involved with the process.
Hi Bill...:wave: :hug:

There are times when we have simply jumped the gun. As I said, I'm not suggesting we not speak up when there is something obviously wrong. But sometimes we don't have all the facts and we go into attack mode without thinking twice. We think the worst before we know for sure what it's all about.

Now, there are some valid reasons why we react the way we do. And don't get me wrong, I know that often times things have been mishandled by management and this is one of the reasons why the situation gets so out of control. :doh:

What I'm saying is that we don't have to get all excited and up in arms about it until we have all the facts.

I'm not trying to be critical of anyone. I speak this to myself as much as anyone else. :hug:

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

Concur, mama :hug::hug:

Still reckon this is the nicest bit of CF/4U, though... :sorry:
Absolutely! :clap: I love this forum, and I love its members. :hug:

[Macrina]

No matter how much we feel justified in jumping to conclusions -- no matter how much we are justified -- there is still the matter of losing effectiveness by appearing paranoid, hostile, or irrational. Note, I said "appearing," not "being."

There was recently an incident where some inaccurate information was disseminated, and caused a great deal of upset. Now, it's absolutely understandable why people would be upset, but there were a lot of criticisms lobbed at conservatives after the real facts came out. I think it's wise advice to give thought to the source of information and await confirmation from the appropriate source before expressing righteous anger about rumors.

[bill16652]

No matter how much we feel justified in jumping to conclusions -- no matter how much we are justified -- there is still the matter of losing effectiveness by appearing paranoid, hostile, or irrational. Note, I said "appearing," not "being."

There was recently an incident where some inaccurate information was disseminated, and caused a great deal of upset. Now, it's absolutely understandable why people would be upset, but there were a lot of criticisms lobbed at conservatives after the real facts came out. I think it's wise advice to give thought to the source of information and await confirmation from the appropriate source before expressing righteous anger about rumors.Good advice providing that decisions have not already been made and done without member input from the community. While I agree that things are not always as they appear the fact that they even appear that way could be erased simply by being open and honest about things. This latest is a prime example. This was done in such a way that membership did not know about it, still dont think it a good idea, it violated site rule 1.4, and was endorsed by Erwin because of some bad advice. The intent was well meaning but this has went on in the past and begs the question has this site really chjanged. Be open about what is going on at the time it is going on, notify members of votes, polls, WIKI's under disdcussion and you the staff can avoid many of these things.

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

No matter how much we feel justified in jumping to conclusions -- no matter how much we are justified -- there is still the matter of losing effectiveness by appearing paranoid, hostile, or irrational. Note, I said "appearing," not "being."

There was recently an incident where some inaccurate information was disseminated, and caused a great deal of upset. Now, it's absolutely understandable why people would be upset, but there were a lot of criticisms lobbed at conservatives after the real facts came out. I think it's wise advice to give thought to the source of information and await confirmation from the appropriate source before expressing righteous anger about rumors.
You said it much better than I could...:hug:

[Macrina]

Good advice providing that decisions have not already been made and done without member input from the community. While I agree that things are not always as they appear the fact that they even appear that way could be erased simply by being open and honest about things. This latest is a prime example. This was done in such a way that membership did not know about it, still dont think it a good idea, it violated site rule 1.4, and was endorsed by Erwin because of some bad advice. The intent was well meaning but this has went on in the past and begs the question has this site really chjanged. Be open about what is going on at the time it is going on, notify members of votes, polls, WIKI's under disdcussion and you the staff can avoid many of these things.

"You the staff" -- that's going to take some time for me to get used to. ;)

I totally understand having concerns and needing to express them. In fact, it was my involvement in that very discussion which led to me becoming staff here less than 24 hours ago. Voicing our questions and comments is very important, but the manner in which we approach it can make a big difference.

I say this not as Staff Speaking From On High -- I'm a newbie at this -- but as a conservative Christian who shares the values and principles which have been threatened recently, and which you and other members are ready to stand up for as needed. I've never made a secret of my convictions, and I don't intend to do so now that I'm on staff.

If I might make a rather frivolous example, let's say that a mod from another team posted a thread saying that the (hypothetical) forum-skin team were going to make the entire site chartreuse-and-fuschia, with no option to change it. Concerned for the health of our eyeballs, I head over to the thread. Now, I could make a post that says, "Wow, I'm tremendously concerned about this. Let's contact the forum-skin team and get the details. Are they really going to do this?" Or, I could say something along the lines of "what disgusting colors! This is proof of the terrible judgment of the color-selection committee! This is the final straw and we all need to leave now!" Okay, so imagine that it came out that the hideous color scheme was simply going to be added to the options, and not made the only one available. Which of those responses yields more credibility among the people who participated in the thread?

The calm expression of concern, combined with requests for more information, will only help the credibility of the poster and the positions he or she represents. Accusations based on rumors will do damage to the reputation of both.

I encourage everyone here to remain active, as we need conservative voices to advocate for biblical orthodoxy. However, I ask -- not as staff, but as a conservative Christian -- that even when others are doing wrong, please take the high road. It does our cause much more good if we have conducted ourselves in such a manner even in the face of opposition.

[rmw8855]

I agree with LT. You said & continue to say it much better than I could.

The message is basically the same, the only difference is in how it is stated & how it will be received. When you treat people with respect & love they are more likely to listen then if you yell, scream, or criticize. A true message has no value if it is not received.

[Criada]

1Peter 3:
15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

[rmw8855]

1Peter 3:
15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

:amen:

[JimfromOhio]

:hug:

I hope you know that all y'all mean alot to me and I think by now you know that I respect each one of you for being the stand up Christians you are.

However, I would like to make a suggestion for us all. I've noticed that we jump to conclusions when something we question as Conservative Christians is brought to light. While it is good to take a stand, it is better to use wisdom and have patience in these matters. We should not be jumping at the slightest hint of impropriety or what LOOKS like misconduct to us.

I'm NOT suggesting that we don't speak up, but that we WAIT for the right time to do so. When we blow things out of proportion we make ourselves look bad and end up not being taken seriously in the process.

Please take this in the spirit that it was written. I'm not pointing fingers, I'm not judging anyone...I'm simply making a point about our reactions that I feel needs to be brought out. Instead of reacting, let's respond with grace, love...and patience.

:hug:
:thumbsup:


No matter how much we feel justified in jumping to conclusions -- no matter how much we are justified -- there is still the matter of losing effectiveness by appearing paranoid, hostile, or irrational. Note, I said "appearing," not "being."

There was recently an incident where some inaccurate information was disseminated, and caused a great deal of upset. Now, it's absolutely understandable why people would be upset, but there were a lot of criticisms lobbed at conservatives after the real facts came out. I think it's wise advice to give thought to the source of information and await confirmation from the appropriate source before expressing righteous anger about rumors.
:thumbsup:

[Greenthumb]

:hug:

I hope you know that all y'all mean alot to me and I think by now you know that I respect each one of you for being the stand up Christians you are.

However, I would like to make a suggestion for us all. I've noticed that we jump to conclusions when something we question as Conservative Christians is brought to light. While it is good to take a stand, it is better to use wisdom and have patience in these matters. We should not be jumping at the slightest hint of impropriety or what LOOKS like misconduct to us.

I'm NOT suggesting that we don't speak up, but that we WAIT for the right time to do so. When we blow things out of proportion we make ourselves look bad and end up not being taken seriously in the process.

Please take this in the spirit that it was written. I'm not pointing fingers, I'm not judging anyone...I'm simply making a point about our reactions that I feel needs to be brought out. Instead of reacting, let's respond with grace, love...and patience.

:hug:

No matter how much we feel justified in jumping to conclusions -- no matter how much we are justified -- there is still the matter of losing effectiveness by appearing paranoid, hostile, or irrational. Note, I said "appearing," not "being."

There was recently an incident where some inaccurate information was disseminated, and caused a great deal of upset. Now, it's absolutely understandable why people would be upset, but there were a lot of criticisms lobbed at conservatives after the real facts came out. I think it's wise advice to give thought to the source of information and await confirmation from the appropriate source before expressing righteous anger about rumors.Good points ladies. :)

[JPPT1974]

You know we got to do the right thing
But we can do it in a Christlike manner you know.