What Do You Regret Is Gone From MD?

[Josh]

Plus, no one has asked for the cM section we once had there to be reenacted here.

what exactly was the litmus test for that?

Self identification basically. Most people know if they’re a “conservative Mennonite” or not.

[Josh]

Yes. I am personally seeing it have a very negative effect on seekers who find these misrepresentations of what following Christ is and how that relates to a person's walk as a conservative Mennonite.

To quote another ex-transplant (who didn't last as long as I did)... "the conservative cape dress, bonnet, black hat * suspenders way isn't the "Little House on the Prairie" lifestyle that the conservative Anabaptist church tries to sell itself to be to outsiders."

Josh- this isn't a path you want to go down with some of us here on MN. Trust me. I personally don't have an axe to grind. I forgave a lot of people who will never be sorry. That said, don't expect to attract people from "the world", then treat them different because of their pedigree, or hold them to another standard, and then wonder why they leave with a reason to have an axe to grind.

Sorry,,, post like these can be hurtful. I mean no disrespect to Josh and the other members here MN in the same position.

I’ve never personally been in a church that involved black hats, suspenders, or bonnets (other than white caps, but that church dropped that requirement a few years ago anyway).

I would put you in the “conservative Anabaptist” category from what you’ve said so far. Ex-conservative is something entirely different.

[steve-in-kville]

I don't have a lot of time to indulge in this subject at the moment, but look forward to taking up later. So If I do not immediately respond I mean to disrespect...

I kinda like it the way it is. I've said this before... I could be reading all the wrong threads, or miss-reading intentions of responses. We have a wide variety of people registered here on MN, many who you described. I like diversity. People learn to respect one another that way. A lot more gets done. Less time fussin' over dress patterns and shirt sleeve lengths or the color of cars or whatever.

I honestly understand your concern. Maybe the mods could speak up on their concerns or ideas?

[ken_sylvania]

Yes. I am personally seeing it have a very negative effect on seekers who find these misrepresentations of what following Christ is and how that relates to a person's walk as a conservative Mennonite.

To quote another ex-transplant (who didn't last as long as I did)... "the conservative cape dress, bonnet, black hat * suspenders way isn't the "Little House on the Prairie" lifestyle that the conservative Anabaptist church tries to sell itself to be to outsiders."

Josh- this isn't a path you want to go down with some of us here on MN. Trust me. I personally don't have an axe to grind. I forgave a lot of people who will never be sorry. That said, don't expect to attract people from "the world", then treat them different because of their pedigree, or hold them to another standard, and then wonder why they leave with a reason to have an axe to grind.

Sorry,,, post like these can be hurtful. I mean no disrespect to Josh and the other members here MN in the same position.

I would certainly hope it's not a "Little House on the Prairie" lifestyle! You ever read those books? I guess that's my ax to grind - while the books are interesting the lifestyle they describe is not the lifestyle of a Christ-follower.

Seriously though, I do get what you're saying. You and Wade have been exposed to very different parts of the "elephant" and I don't fault either of you for describing that part of what you've seen.

[Josh]

I don't have a lot of time to indulge in this subject at the moment, but look forward to taking up later. So If I do not immediately respond I mean to disrespect...

I kinda like it the way it is. I've said this before... I could be reading all the wrong threads, or miss-reading intentions of responses. We have a wide variety of people registered here on MN, many who you described. I like diversity. People learn to respect one another that way. A lot more gets done. Less time fussin' over dress patterns and shirt sleeve lengths or the color of cars or whatever.

I honestly understand your concern. Maybe the mods could speak up on their concerns or ideas?

One group is conspicuously under-represented on MN, though: the Old Order Anabaptist and the more-conservative Anabaptist.

A group that is over-represented is the Formerly-Anabaptist: ex-MC USA, ex-CMC, ex-plain, ex-conservative. It is very odd for someone’s identity to be “I used to be X, but now I am no longer X.” I don’t introduce myself or my family as “ex-Pentecostal.”

A group that is vastly over represented is, of course, the highly intellectual seeker: these are actually quite rare breeds in day to day Anabaptist church life. Yet on MN, you can find seekers with doctorates, advanced degrees, indeed I would say more conservative seekers post that ethnic conservative Anabaptists.

[steve-in-kville]

I don't have a lot of time to indulge in this subject at the moment, but look forward to taking up later. So If I do not immediately respond I mean to disrespect...

That should have read "no disrespect."

Wow. This is off to a great start

[silentreader]

I don't have a lot of time to indulge in this subject at the moment, but look forward to taking up later. So If I do not immediately respond I mean to disrespect...

That should have read "no disrespect."

Wow. This is off to a great start

How's that go? Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh?

[temporal1]

Robert:
.. Plus, no one has asked for the cM section we once had there to be reenacted here.

New thread: “No Regrets” ..

Robert,
Not long after i stumbled upon MD, you described how, when folks are in agreement, there is little to discuss.
Well. MD and MN definitely reflect this (conundrum).

With few exceptions.

2 special exceptions, i.e., they regularly receive lots of traffic without “heat,” “Today,” and, “I think it is funny.”
After those, i would guess the various food topics. Altho, some “heat” arises now+then regarding personal tastes.

[temporal1]

Robert:
.. Plus, no one has asked for the cM section we once had there to be reenacted here.

Seriously, tho.
The attraction of public forums IS open, interested discussion.
Private limited subforums effectively put topics+members in a “back room,” out of sight.
It serves a purpose. But it’s not what brings folks together on an open forum.

i did not attempt to join a sub forum, it wasn’t designed for me, just the opposite.
(this is my outside guess as to how it went.)

reflecting your early observation that when folks agree, there isn’t much discussion.

p.s.
if i recall, i believe early on setting up MN, you stated you were not going to continue with private sub forums?? not sure.
of course, that would not stop anyone from requesting.

[temporal1]

Josh:
A group that is vastly over represented is, of course, the highly intellectual seeker:
these are actually quite rare breeds in day to day Anabaptist church life.

Yet on MN, you can find seekers with doctorates, advanced degrees, indeed I would say more conservative seekers post that ethnic conservative Anabaptists.

This forum attracts those who enjoy reading and writing and thinking. Its plain format is not flashy or entertaining of itself.
In spite of failures, it remains a place of hope for thoughtful discussion, guided by but not limited to cM beliefs and values.

Early on, i valued the opportunity to read and share with others, close to 100% interested in Jesus Christ at center.
i believe this is an essential tenet of Anabaptists. i’ve always believed Jesus is “the glue” that holds this forum together.

also of value, as you mention, here is an eclectic group of the highly educated, well employed, pastors and church leaders, interacting with housewives (originally it was CM teens) students, teachers, contractors, clerks, et al., with very very little class distinction!
prior to the internet, no such opportunity existed to compare. most do not refer to their status, or even deliberately hide it, because they want to be taken for who they are, not what achievement they may have accomplished.

so, it’s a beneficial 2-way street.
lay folks have informal access to leaders, leaders have the opportunity to read what folks “are really” thinking.
because, let’s face it. we all do regularly change our words, demeanors, actions, based on real life present company.

to a great extent, this forum breaks down those walls.

hey. example:
as a woman, IRL, i would NEVER expect to have any conversation with most members on this forum.
1. our paths would not cross; 2. if they did, a polite, “hello,” would probably be the maximum extended.

we adjust to changes quickly, and soon take them for granted. i think that’s part of the God designed human condition.
the internet has changed life on earth.