Member Covenant and Community Guidelines

Welcome

Counsel of Many exists to help church elders oversee the affairs of their churches. Here, elders from many traditions ask for and share counsel drawn from experience, so that each of us can better care for our own flock and help build up others.

In an abundance of counselors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14)

Because members bring sensitive situations here, this community depends on every member keeping the commitments below. Please read them carefully.

1. Our Common Ground

Members serve as elders in churches that affirm the historic Christian faith as summarized in the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Members hold differing convictions on many other matters. That is welcome, and it is not what we are here to discuss.

2. Our Purpose and Boundaries

• We are here to help one another oversee the affairs of the church: leadership, discipline, conflict, care for members, staff, finances, facilities, transitions, and the many practical burdens elders carry.
• We do not debate theology. This is not a place to persuade others of a doctrinal position or to critique another tradition. When a question touches doctrine, answer within the asker’s own tradition and polity, or not at all.
• We offer counsel, not commands. No answer here is “the” answer. Each elder and church remains responsible for its own decisions under its own leadership and polity.
• We are not professionals here. Counsel shared in this community is not legal, financial, medical, or clinical advice. Consult qualified professionals when a situation calls for it.

3. The Anonymity Covenant

Anonymity is required, not optional. It is what allows elders to seek help with the most sensitive situations. By joining, I agree that:

1. I will use a username that does not identify me, my church, or my location.
2. I will not reveal my name, my church’s name, my city or town, or any other detail that could identify me or my congregation.
3. I will not identify, or try to identify, any other member.
4. I will not name or describe identifiable people in the situations I share, including members, staff, pastors, or their families.
5. I will not share, copy, screenshot, or repeat anything posted here outside the community.
6. I understand that moderators may edit, hide, or remove anything that could identify a person or church, and may rename my username.

How to share a situation safely

Share what is needed to get good counsel, and nothing that identifies anyone.

When in doubt, generalize or change details that do not affect the question.

5. How We Treat One Another

• Speak with humility, patience, and grace, remembering that the asker may be carrying a heavy burden.
• Answer from experience. Say what you have seen work, what you have seen fail, and what you would do differently.
• Vote and react based on how helpful a response is, not on whether you share its tradition.
• No gossip, mockery, or criticism of named churches, denominations, or leaders.
• Pray for one another.

6. Moderation

Moderators exist to protect anonymity and keep the community on purpose. Moderators may:

• Edit posts to remove identifying details, and hide the edit history so the original details are no longer visible to members.
• Hold new questions for review before they are published.
• Hide or delete posts that identify anyone, debate doctrine, or break this covenant.
• Rename usernames that could identify a member.
• Suspend or remove members who repeatedly or seriously break this covenant.

7. Your Privacy

• Your church provides only your email address to enroll you. Your name is not required.
• Your email address is known only to the community administrator, is used solely to manage membership, and is never shown to members or sold. It is shared only when the law requires it (see Section 4).
• Billing information is held by the church contact and the payment processor, not by members.
• Please note that even the administrator cannot fully protect you from details you choose to share. Your best protection is following Section 3.

8. My Agreement

By accepting my invitation, I affirm that:

1. I serve as an elder in a church that affirms the Apostles’ Creed.
2. I will keep the Anonymity Covenant.
3. I understand that anonymity here does not replace my duty to report, and I will report as the law and my church require.
4. I will not use this community to debate theology.
5. I understand that counsel here is not professional advice.
6. I accept the role of moderators described above.