I check the "whose been here" list every day. As with today, I often see posters I REALLY like and appreciate, outstanding posters (I won't publicly name names). But then note they didn't post anything.... they came, who knows what they did, they left.... and didn't post anything. Our loss.
I can be too pushy, but I WISH there was some respectful way to find out why they didn't get involved, didn't post anything. I did put up a thread some time ago to sort of address that but I can't say I gleaned anything from it.
We have a very impressive list of members! And some poke their nose over here from time to time. I just wish we could get them more involved. It would be our great gain - as persons, but yes, also to the site and ministry.
FOR ME, it's two things.
1. I come to see sites like this as community.... my community. Yeah, it's the internet but I still tend to "bond" in a way with the folks there. I've been a WAY-TOO-ACTIVE part of maybe half a dozen sites since I was 10 years old (active at probably two or three dozen more - but never "bonding"). Been on staff at two of them. I come to know these people (or at least some sub-group) and see them as friends, in a sense. Even folks I seem to disagree a lot with (indeed, some of my most esteemed friends have come from such). When I've left sites (as I've left 5 now - the last two being CARM and CF)..... well, it's embarrassing to say this..... I've kind of grieved. I miss my friends. THAT said, as you know, I tend to avoid the "fellowship" forums and threads (no rebuke here, but I have non-internet means for that), but nonethess, do "bond."
2. I come to sites like this to learn. I'm a self-confessed theology junkie (I eat this stuff for lunch).... just a hobby in a sense, but a passionate one. I've ALWAYS been a junkie when it comes to learning. So, I'm attracted to forums where there are open, honest, real, meaningful discussions of theology, and especially where I LEARN things and where I get challenged (because I don't tend to change my mind unless it is challenged). I could go to a couple of Lutheran forums where I'd learn to "sing the song" louder - to have my CURRENT thoughts reinforced, but I'm not likely to get challenged there. Because I'm a former Catholic (and a LOT of my theology is rooted there), I tend to especially appreciate articulate, informed Catholics. And because I so respect Eastern Orthodoxy, I LOVE getting that perspective (but have found EO's very hesitant to share or discuss - to my great frustration). But I've had some very, very helpful and esteemed friends from a Reformed/Calvinist and Anglican backgrounds, too - much appreciated. And yes, I've changed a lot of what I think and do as a result of such discussions.
I have been .... frustrated..... by staff (usually admins) whose agenda causes them to be very political and to moderate excessively and inconsistently; sites with too many rules that are overly and inconsistently "enforced"; sites where real, open, honest (and yes passionate) discussions are effectively disallowed (at least to SOME) and were it degrades into a "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" "Kumbyah" uber-relativistic, uber-emotional site. Happens a LOT. I've witnessed this take over sites - and destroy anything meaningful. It is in this that I'm especially positive about CH.... this is be best run, best moderated site I've witnessed (and I've witnessed a bunch since I was 10 years old). The kudos I give are not only sincere but enormously important IMO.
While I'm working to create growth at CH in meeting #2, IMO, this is the best site of this nature on the 'net.
- Josiah
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