Define "Fellowship Post"

[nyj]

In certain parts of the MB (i.e., Congregation), ET staff are deleting posts because they are not "fellowship posts". Yet, in the staff room I have seen Tishri1 say that ET still needed to define what a fellowship post is. How can a post be deleted as not being a fellowship post, if ET doesn't even have a definition for it yet?

Just wondering ...

[J4Jesus]

The congregations have a sticky about their beliefs for the mods to use as a guideline and the ones I've seen defines fellowship posts.

[synger]

Agreed. It can be a fine line, but most of the forums that have some sort of guideline about members and non-members also have a pretty good definition of what a fellowship post is, or rather what it is not. The ones I've seen usually have something along the lines of "it's not debate, it's not teaching, it's not answering questions, it's not apologetics".

So I suppose "non-fellowship" posts would include primarily ethical, moral, policy, and doctrinal discussions.

That kinda leaves as "fellowship" things like work, family, movies, favorite quotes, prayer requests, etc.

Some topics probably could straddle the line. A discussion on history can be fairly straight-forward (fellowship). But if it gets into how history influences/influenced doctrines or denominations, it can get onto shaky ground (discussion/debate).

[intricatic]

Does one need a definition to define a thread "not debating or combative"? The two things already have fixed definitions. We don't need a level of bureaucracy to define terms and phrases, we need to allow mods to use their judgment fairly, and hold the expectation from top down that they won't abuse that privilege.

[J4Jesus]

I agree with synger.

I would think it depends on how each congregation defines it and what they want to allow in their own forum. Then the mods just go by that.

[Davidnic]

The Baptist Forum used to have a great Sticky on what is and is not fellowship. It is not, to my knowledge, there anymore. But I think I remember where there is a copy of it in old Zion if an admin with access wants to PM me I can tell them the general date of the thread and other info that may help find it.

It was a really excellent sticky that broke down what a fellowship post was and was not. Someone from the Baptist forum may have a copy. I think it was written by "Red That's Me"

[J4Jesus]

Davidnic
Is this what youare talking about?




Section II: DEFINITION OF FELLOWSHIP POST It is not debate.

A member not adhering to the beliefs stated in Section I of this wiki may not discuss reasons for or against a subject being discussed on this forum. This includes questions that essentially are rebuttal or argumentative in nature.

It is not apologetics.

A member not adhering to the beliefs stated in Section I of this wiki may not engage in theological discussions that defend their particular point of view on scriptural, theological, doctrinal, Word Of Faith beliefs or political issues.

It is not answering questions.

Let's say a thread is started that asks the question about what do you think about speaking in tongues? Only a member that adheres to the beliefs defined in Section I of this wiki can offer an opinion about that. Any member not adhering to those beliefs may not answer that question in this forum. This is not to say they don't have an opinion on that topic, but they may not answer that question here. They may not offer rebuttal to opinions posted in response to a question or discussion.

It is not teaching.

If a thread is started that asks a general question such as what do you think XYZ means? Only a member that adheres to the beliefs stated in Section I of this wiki may give instruction on the topic. While there may be many very good ideas on the subject from other members, they may not give instruction in the Word of Faith Forum.

Earnest questions are always welcome from anyone.

Essentially Fellowship is defined as discussion of topics of association, of companionship - i.e. discussions of things like friends, family, work..... these are fellowship posts. Posts that offer friendship would certainly be described as fellowship.

[Davidnic]

Davidnic
Is this what youare talking about?




Section II: DEFINITION OF FELLOWSHIP POST It is not debate.A member not adhering to the beliefs stated in Section I of this wiki may not discuss reasons for or against a subject being discussed on this forum. This includes questions that essentially are rebuttal or argumentative in nature.It is not apologetics.A member not adhering to the beliefs stated in Section I of this wiki may not engage in theological discussions that defend their particular point of view on scriptural, theological, doctrinal, Word Of Faith beliefs or political issues.It is not answering questions.Let's say a thread is started that asks the question about what do you think about speaking in tongues? Only a member that adheres to the beliefs defined in Section I of this wiki can offer an opinion about that. Any member not adhering to those beliefs may not answer that question in this forum. This is not to say they don't have an opinion on that topic, but they may not answer that question here. They may not offer rebuttal to opinions posted in response to a question or discussion.It is not teaching.If a thread is started that asks a general question such as what do you think XYZ means? Only a member that adheres to the beliefs stated in Section I of this wiki may give instruction on the topic. While there may be many very good ideas on the subject from other members, they may not give instruction in the Word of Faith Forum.Earnest questions are always welcome from anyone.Essentially Fellowship is defined as discussion of topics of association, of companionship - i.e. discussions of things like friends, family, work..... these are fellowship posts. Posts that offer friendship would certainly be described as fellowship.

Mostly. It was a little more involved and bullet pointed...but those were the basics. If it can't be found that is the heart of it. Yeah...we could work from that. I would think.

[J4Jesus]

Mostly. It was a little more involved and bullet pointed...but those were the basics. If it can't be found that is the heart of it. Yeah...we could work from that. I would think.

Right. This is basically what it is/is not. But then each congregation 'tweeks' it some to fit their own forum.

BTW good to see you. It's been awhile since we used to work on .... should I mentioned the word? :eek: (wiki :help: ) ^_^

[Davidnic]

Right. This is basically what it is/is not. But then each congregation 'tweeks' it some to fit their own forum.

BTW good to see you. It's been awhile since we used to work on .... should I mentioned the word? :eek: (wiki :help: ) ^_^

hehe..yeah. Good to see you too.