How to apply for Ops in #Christian:

If you would like to apply for Ops in the #Christian channel, here's what you need to do... You will be sending your request to join our Ops team via email. But first, read all of the following information that explains what to include in the email.

Important things to know first:

It is important that you have been visiting our channel for at least a few months. It probably takes that long to get a feel for how the channel is run, what the other Ops are like, and what kinds of discussions go on there.

Be sure you agree with how we handle things there. If you don't, perhaps you would be more comfortable Opping for another channel.

Very importantly, if you feel that you are on a one-person crusade to convert others to your way of thinking, then the odds are you would be better starting your own channel, as we would probably find such behaviour very divisive.

Without exception, all of our ops have a tolerance for other viewpoints that can be deduced from interpreting scripture differently... discussions promoting differing views of scriptural interpretation frequently take place, and none of our ops take objection to those differing views, if they are genuinely based on scripture. Where there are glaring errors promoted, that is another story.

Familiarize yourself with this website - whether you are a long-standing regular, or a fairly new one; we ask this as much as anything because the content of the pages does change fairly regularly, in order to clarify stuff that may not have been explained properly before.

Mainly, though, we ask because it's important that you know where we stand as a ministry on issues of faith, and how we ministry approach the channel's activity.

Be prepared for what may seem to be a rejection out of hand. Remember that the other ops may not "know" you. A rejection is frequently accompanied by a "please resubmit in so-many weeks" request, and it could just be that you are an unknown quantitiy.

Please remember that very few applications are accepted first time round, usually there is a request for a re-submission. And a request to be granted operator privileges is just that, a request; it is not a right to receive that "status" as Undernet describes it; all ops appointments in #Christian are made at the invitation of the channel.

It's also important that you have good communications skills. So, do your best to explain yourself concisely and with articulation. Here is what we would like to receive from you:

Here's what to include in your email:

• Give a testimony that describes your walk with Christ. Be specific, because the more information we receive from you, the better chance you have of being accepted for Ops. Include how you came to know Christ, give circumstances that surrounded your decision.

• Other information pertinent to your faith should also be included such as what church you attend; how active you are in your local church; organizations you support or are active with, etc.

• Be sure and explain your views on what you consider to be essential Christian doctrine (The Holy Trinity, Baptism, etc). Tell us if you agree with the Apostle's Creed? If not, what specifically do you disagree with? A good thing to do would be to explain any thoughts or comments you have regarding our Mission and Faith Statements on this website. If there are things you disagree with in those statements, please explain your thoughts.

• Personal feelings about issues that are important to you also help us to know you better. Do you have strong feelings about abortion, evolution, Christ's return -- or any other topic that is sometimes discussed in the channel?

• Give us some personal background. Are you married? If so, for how long? Do you have kids? Where do you reside (we respect your privacy, but at least give us the country where you live).

• Give us the name of at least one channel operator with whom you have discussed your wish to join us. This is so that we may be able to reduce some of the waiting time while we take a closer look at how you relate to the channel and the topics which get discussed. Christianity is a relational belief rather than a religion. Our "family" of channel operators need to relate to each other also.

• Lastly, tell us why you would like to be an Op in #Christian. Tell us how you would approach the postition if you were to become an Op. And please make sure you tell us the nick or nicks you regularly use.