The Said At Southern team has written this list of expectations to define how our blog works.
You can think of this as a user agreement or blogger covenant. Either way - we want to clarify how our blog works, who gets linked, how we moderate comments and how you can participate in this project.
Said At Southern User Expectations
- We insist that all participants maintain their personal blogs in a way that honors Christ. We want to only write in a way that is appropriate for Christian witnesses. "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29 ESV
- We insist that all participants clearly identify their real name on comments and on their personal blogs. We want you to avoid anonymous opinions. We do not encourage bloggers to have an autonomous virtual identity. For example I use "Tony Kummer" or "T. Kummer." It is not acceptable to use initials only or an assumed nickname "Super Seminary Smarty" unless your blogger profile or personal blog clearly states your real identity.
- We insist that all participants be willing to receive and give correction when these expectations are not met. As believers in Christ we are responsible to confront one anther when our blogs do not honor Christ.
- We insist that all participants avoid useless conversations. There are many topics and opinions that are out of bounds for Christians. “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.” 2 Timothy 2:23 ESV
- We invite all participants to fully support and contribute to Said at Southern. We have structured our blog to allow multiple levels of participation
- Open Comments: We encourage humble, relevant and thoughtful comments by anyone who reads this blog. This extends beyond the SBTS blogging community. We want to interact with readers from diverse backgrounds.
- Linked Bloggers: This is the entry level of participation. These blogs get linked from the aggregator boxes. We request that all linked bloggers reciprocate by linking us on their blogs.
- Contributing Bloggers: In addition to linking Said At Southern, these bloggers contribute via comments and backlinked posts. On our sidebar we will display the last several posts from our contributing bloggers. They are invited to submit guest posts for Said At Southern.
- Featured Bloggers: At its core Said At Southern is an echo-chamber for what SBTS bloggers are saying. On our sidebar we will display the last several posts from our featured bloggers. Our design is to give better exposure to better content. This group of students, faculty and alumni are increasingly important voices in the blogosphere. Inclusion in the "Featured Bloggers" category is by the discretion of the Said At Southern team.
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Comments are open.
- posted by Tony Kummer
9 comments:
No statement of faith, or are we operating under the assumption that we all agree with the Abstract of Principles?
Once again, Said At Southern strikes a great path when it comes to the collaborative Church.
Looks like a good rule-set to start with. I have to wonder about the practicality of obtaining 100% profile info though. My identity, for instance, is no issue -- but it will take vigilance to remember to always go out of my way to include identification at all the blogs related to SaidAtSouthern.
YBIC,
Neil Cox
IndyChristian.com
Thanks for these good groundrules for the new site. I'm glad to see you are setting forth a system of accountability.
The more each of us bloggers abide by these guidelines the better our blogs will be and likewise, Said at Southern will be strengthened.
Of course, we should be most concerned about the honor and glory due to the Lord Jesus Christ in what and how we blog.
Trevin Wax
Kingdom People
Thanks for the feedback.
Stephen,
I hadn't thought of that. All of the current S@S team are at least abstract guys more likely 2nd London Confession.
Neil,
We put this expectation out there to avoid the secret bloggers from camping out here. An occasional slip won't get you banned. But we want integrity. I think your on board with that.
Trev,
AMEN.
Yeah, that's what I'd have thought, most of us are Abstract guys. Just thought that since this is a "Southern Seminary blog" we'd want it to at least be clear we adhere to our school's confession.
Hey guys,
I also don't have anything I disagree with in the Abstract. However, Southern students are not required to hold to the Abstract in order to be accepted at, or to attend Southern. To place that guideline on those who post on the site would narrow "Said at Southern," to be "Said at Southern by Students that Agree With Everything the Professors Must Agree With." I would encourage allowing at least as much diversity as Southern itself allows among its students. But, hey its your site.
- Mark
I agree with Mark.
I have classmates from other denominations and I would hate to see them barred from participating here because of that stipulation.
Good points on the confession. I don't think it is needed at this point. But the honoring Christ expectation clearly would include doctrine. A student or alumni who is arguing for open theism has clearly broken this expectation.
This is great. Thanks for the consideration.
God bless you.
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