All good things…
When we first started this site way back in February 2003, we never imagined the way that it would morph and develop to ultimately become what it is today. What started out as a means for us to share and workshop some of our writing has turned into a site focussed much more around a community of people. It has certainly been illuminating.
But four and a half years is a long time. In that time our RL profiles have changed, and to be honest, Phil and I have both lost a sense of energy for this blog (something that would not come as a surprise to regular commenters, who have become accustomed to the fact that we aren’t around as much as we once were). That energy includes monitoring comments, responding to inquiries and requests to change/delete references, and so on.
We have spent several months now discussing what we would do with or about this site. This is what we have come up with. We recognise that the people who comment here have become a community of sorts and we want to give every opportunity for that to continue in some form. We toyed with allowing someone else to take over this site entirely. However, we want to maintain our existing archive as it is a bit of a scrapbook for us. And therefore relinquishing control over signposts isn’t something that we are comfortable with.
So for now we propose to just close the site. The content will remain but we will close the comments on all posts. Closing comments will be a bit of a lengthy process and will commence in the next couple of weeks, starting from the oldest posts. It is possible that in future we will start something new at this site. We might even get six months down the track, decide that we can’t bear to be without this blog and bring it back up - we don’t think so though.
We encourage commenters and others who might wish to maintain the “signposts community” to make some plans in the comments of this thread. It might be starting a group blog or a forum which reflects the same sort of open conversation which takes place here. We are happy to assist in whatever way we can, including directing future visitors to whereever you want.
We will publish a “last post” when we come to finally close off all of the comments, but for now we just wanted to thank our readers and commenters for the last 4 and a half years. To those that have helped with guest posting, and to those that have engaged in conversation and have in some way had their thinking or questioning as a result of this site, we thank you.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Dan,
It’s about time you closed this site down. We have been trying to get you to do that for far too long.
Lance, which site will we target next…? Sydney Anglicans?
August 13th, 2007 at 10:32 am
A significant decision - goodonya for making it. I understand the weird factors that affect the making of this kind of choice!
Thankfully we will continue to catch up as good friends in RL
Interesting to think that we may never have met if not for signposts… internet relationships… remember ‘emerging church chat’? teeheehee!!!!!
Also amusing to think that for a long time I thought ‘Dan’ was bloke who was mates with Phil
(And I am married to a ‘Dan’ also)
August 13th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Dear Phil and Dan,
Thankyou for facilitating a very lively corner in cyberspace where people could rant, rave, rest, recover, reflect, ruminate and rejuvinate.
All the best of everything to you both in the future, where ever the next innovative turn takes you.
I have appreciated your openess, the freedom of thought and speech on evident on this blog. I suspect you have probably paid the price from time to time for being so accepting of all viewpoints and opinions.
All the best and Christ’s blessings to you both, your families and your church family.
Daisy.
August 13th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Dear Dan and Phil,
It’s been nice being here. The site has helped me understand a great deal about Christianity in Australia.
God bless you for your kindness in allowing people to speak freely what’s in their hearts.
This forum will be greatly missed.
The Lord bless you always.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:10 am
I kinda felt this day was coming - I’m glad I was able to be a part of this site and I will miss it.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:18 am
What a bummer!!
Dan and Phil - thanks for creating the space in the first place, and I imagine this hasn’t been an easy decision to reach.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:49 am
It’s about time.
Maybe MY blog ( http://neapolitan500.blogspot.com ) will get the recognition it deserves now without Signposts bogarting all the traffic.
Thanks.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:53 am
A wise decision and one I think most of us could see coming. Real life always trumps blogging.
Thank you for the fun and informative ride over the last few years, Dan and Phil. It’s been a pleasure to “meet” you both and all other Signposters.
Hope this also means you are clearing time for the pitter patter of little feet!
August 13th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I’m so sad - I only just discovered this site and now it’s closing down! Where will we emerging types go now? I’d be happy to put my hand up if no-one else will.
Oh well, thanks so much for providing a space for Christians wishing to ask hard questions of themselves and others. Best of luck for your future endeavours.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
P.S. If Signposters will go into withdrawal, I have capacity on my Typepad account to create a separate blog with guest posters for you to continue your discussions although it may help to have a focus. That would mean a few of you to volunteer to post (because I won’t be) and more than a few of you who want to continue having a forum.
My email is on my main blog.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Thanks for providing this shelter and resting place for so many people.
Unfortunately, I can hear thew board room at Hills smiling from here.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
I’ve just opened up a space for people to brainstorm ideas about the future of the community over at http://ministryofincompetence.blogspot.com/2007/08/last-post-for-signposts.html. Although Signposts is irreplaceable, perhaps some of the commenters that made Signposts the community that it was can continue to plough through the tough questions elsewhere. I’d really appreciate it if people could visit and contribute some of their ideas.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
I thought that’s what THIS thread was for!
August 13th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Thanks Dan & Phil. Your decision is timely I think. It has been an interesting part of cyberspace to regularly visit. Your wisdom, perspective and passion for the way of Christ will no doubt lead you into many more worthwhile ventures in the months and years to come.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
For some reason, the full stop prevented the link from properly working. Here’s the proper link:
http://ministryofincompetence.blogspot.com/2007/08/last-post-for-signposts.html
August 13th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Was it something I said?
August 13th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
ahh…. the personal liability that is “signposts” has finally weighed them down one last time. Was it the letters from the lawyers or are you really just over it? I’m surprised it took this long.
August 13th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
I think I’m in mourning already!
Thank-you Dan and Phil for providing such a wonderful space for people like me to come and just be. I’ll miss it.
I’ve always found signposts to be encouraging, thought-provoking, challenging, and downright annoying sometimes…and I’ve loved every moment of it.
And yes David, time for some brainstorming as to how a similar blog can be created.
Let’s hope somebody ‘catches the vision’. I think signposts has made a very worthwhile contribution to cyberspace and there needs to be a place for people such as me who can’t stand the idea of fronting up to a church every week..sorry if that offends some people, it’s just where some of us are at in our private walk with Lord.
August 13th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
that, of course, should be ‘the’ Lord.
August 13th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Its Bec’s fault for pointing out my sarcastic and snide posts. Thanks a lot Bec
August 13th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
And yes David, time for some brainstorming as to how a similar blog can be created.
Yep, so get your brain storming and put some ideas on my blog!
August 13th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
It’s homers fault - he’s been peraying for this for some time. Homer where will I be able to find you so I can correct your theology in the future?
August 13th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Let’s hope somebody ‘catches the vision’.
Or perhaps even “Catches the Fire”?
Then again, maybe not …
August 13th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Haha wazza.
David, the point I was trying to make was that Dan says “We encourage commenters and others who might wish to maintain the “signposts community” to make some plans in the comments of this thread.”
I just reckon it’d be easier to keep any brainstorming here rather than scatter it across a few threads and blogs…I personally find it easier to follow a discussion if it’s occurring in once place rather than many!! 
To kick off, is a blog or a forum the best way to go?
August 13th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Sorry, for some reason I missed that.
Well, if we have a blog, who’s going to write the articles? I’m happy to volunteer, but people might have to let me know what they believe the “winning formula” has been.
Forums are good, but maybe require a little bit more administration/moderation.
I guess determining where to go will largely be determined by why people read and/or commented on the threads. Perhaps that what we need to work out first.
August 13th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Actually, we have never actually received lawyers’ letters - plenty of threats about it, but no actual lawyerly writing to us. Oh, and people should add Joseph Joseph’s blog (linked above) to their rss feeds - some great art there from the official artist of the Northern Community Christmas Lunch ™, and the author (?) of the very first signposts banner artwork way back in 2003.
August 13th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
‘Woman, why are you weeping’?
http://signposts2.wordpress.com/
August 13th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
*sigh* First I miss the unofficial Signposts lunch, and now this. It’s certainly helped to dramatically change my worldview over the last year or so. First time I found this site was after the possum incident with Dan Korocz, and I was googling about it and Lance had written a rant. Got me reading, got me hooked, and then I started reading and contributing to this site quite often.
I don’t know who’s going to do it, but someone must start another blog or forum or whatever. Seeing how I lost all my “Christian” friends when I left church, this has been the only spiritually focused converstation I’ve been able to have with people. I’d very much like that to continue.
Dan, Phil, thank you so much for having the balls (and the female equivalent of balls) to run this site. All the best with whereever it is God’s leading you.
Jake
August 13th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Thank you Dan and Phil for creating this space. I’ve really appreciated it… the opportunity to interact, to hear different views, to get to “know” people from many parts of Australia (and beyond), to get absorbed in a different “world” (which was helpful for me when going through a really difficult patch last year), to process my own thoughts by attempting to respond to posts and comments. Thank you to all you bloggers out there who’ve made me laugh, and think, and sometimes cry by sharing your stories. I’ll miss Signposts.
August 13th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Lance…
ROFLAMO!!