When using the i-church forums on the external or internal site or chat rooms, and in any communications with other members, we insist that the following code of conduct is observed in every situation:
Central to i-church is be respectful at all times.
Remember that we are posting from different countries, with different cultures and in different denominations. Cultural confusion is common on the internet so if you don’t understand something, ask.
Preview post is there to be used. Posts can only be edited in the 60 minute editing window available.
Please use full sentences in your posting and avoid abbreviations that might not be understood easily. English is not the first language of all posters and people with dyslexia and other visual processing problems find ‘text speak’ difficult to understand.
Interaction online can get intense at times. Think before posting and if you disagree with someone then disagree with the argument and not the person. Disagreement is fine on the discussion threads. Personal attacks are not acceptable and will be treated seriously by the moderators – see Complaints Procedure below.
Prayer threads are not the place for discussion. They are there for prayers.
Any item posted in the public sections of i-church is openly available for viewing by anyone with internet access. Remember this when posting: If you wouldn’t want to see it in your local newspaper tomorrow, then don’t post it online in i-church or anywhere else.
Remember that the internet and i-church may appear safe but not everybody is as they appear. Do not reveal more personal information than you are comfortable with and if in doubt err on the side of caution.
For the protection and privacy of all members, the posting of postal addresses, phone numbers or email addresses (even your own!) in a forum or chat room is not permitted. Moderators will remove such personal contact details except in the following special circumstances:
Remember that this is a forum for conversation and is not a venue for counselling or medical services. i-church is not responsible for any advice given by its members.
Netiquette: Brief posts will get better responses than essays or 7 point refutations with dozens of proof texts. Discuss, argue, listen and do not flame. Do no SHOUT ON THE DISCUSSION BOARDS.
Within the main i-church site there are pastoral groups and small special interest groups such as spiritual direction groups. These are wonderful places to make friends and share experiences and faith. These groups insist on confidentiality of content and any member of the small groups abusing this privilege will be subject to our Disciplinary Policy which may involve exclusion from i-church.
Complaints procedure
Sometimes feelings run high on discussion boards. Any user who is upset by a posted message is encouraged to, in the first instance, chill, drink tea, walk the dog or do whatever is needed to calm down. Do not post in anger. What is written cannot be taken back and stays in written form long after the moment has passed.
It is strongly recommended that members try to sort disagreements out by PM (private messaging) or in chat between themselves. Without body language it is easy to give offence which was not intended. The written word can be very stark. Try and sort out any disagreements like the adults you are, remembering Jesus commanded us to love our neighbour.
If this doesn’t reach a resolution to the problem then you should contact the forum’s moderator who may discuss possible courses of action with the moderator’s group and will make a decision about the action, if any, to be taken. Public arguments about posts in the forums break the “Respect Rule” and will not be tolerated.
If you are unhappy with the decision of a forum’s moderator then you may contact the Lead Moderator who will make the final decision on the matter, having discussed with the moderators’ group.
Sanctions
Experience has shown that although the majority of people work within the Code of Conduct guidelines, there are a small number who do not. Breaches of the Terms and Conditions which you agree to at the front of the site will be treated very seriously.
Moderators will issue warnings and if these are not heeded the moderators will consider temporary or permanent banning from the external or internal i-church sites. If you wish to appeal against a temporary or permanent ban you should contact the Lead Moderator.
Breakdowns in relationships on the site are dealt with through the Complaints Policy above.
Forum Personnel
Each forum has at least one moderator who is responsible for seeing the terms and conditions are adhered to. They are also there to help in resolving personal difficulties resulting from posts. They do not have a pastoral role. If you wish to discuss a pastoral issue then contact the Pastoral Team. Moderators are supported and supervised by the Lead Moderator.
The Lead Moderator’s authority to arbitrate on the terms and conditions rules is final.
Respect the moderators. They volunteer their time and talents so that the rest of us can have an ongoing conversation together. Be grateful.