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 15th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Dan and Phil - best to you, everything I learned about blogging i learned on Signposts. Thanks
Keep up the good work Rev..
Janet, i’ll miss your stuff the most.
Homer - I’ll never figure out what you were saying.. but it was interesting… i think
Lion(hearted)Fish - you’re a decent fellow.
Brian - you and Bobbie can relax now
Emblazoned - I thought your blog name was a gay name at first, but that would have be “enflamed” so I was wrong.
You’ll land with your feet on the ground… no worries about you.
Lance - you’ve been funny, angering and nasty at times - but I wish you well anyway (please take an opprtunity to respond by promoting your SP2 site in response) - when I am in Perth again, I’ll look you up so we can go out on the town together. On you of course!
Geoff - may all your ashes be turned to beauty.
August 15th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
abtruth, you can indeed have several administrators…and wordpress is heaps better than blogspot (I keep meaning to move mine over!!)
August 15th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Bec - sorry, i almost left you out - VERY best to you also. you’re the sweetie of the blogsphere. Love and chocolales to you.
August 15th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
LOL…that was NOT why I posted.
But thankyou, that’s very kind. I have so appeciated your contributions too…I hope you can come and play on signposts2!!
August 15th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Akevin…HAHA!
i see that tho…us hillsongers are taught to be as metro as possible so I was simply doing my bit for the cause….I can say Hillsong really helped improve my fashion sense…
But happily hetero ^_^
August 15th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
i keep thinking of inane things to post in the vain hope that someone will miss me…
looks like i’ll just have to invent another alias to sing my praises
btw
lovin signposts 2
August 15th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
oh btw
good bye and farewell to all who are not going on to signposts 2 which can of course be found at
http://signposts2.wordpress.com
August 15th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
*mutters “damn! he’s found it!”…*
August 15th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Thanks ecognito. Those hosting plans at GoDaddy look like pretty good value … and the .com domain name is just another $1.99USD. Easy.
I’m happy to go ahead and set that up, taking care of the technical side whilst others take care of the content. However, I won’t do anything until I get a few all clears from people.
David, the offer is appreciated, and I might need to take you up on that … although it seems pretty easy to set up Wordpress and forums with GoDaddy.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
I figured out pretty quickly how to put the ‘recent comments’ thingy on Signposts2 http://signposts2.wordpress.com but how do you get the recent comments to fan out into multiple threads like they do here on Signposts?
August 15th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Lance, you’ll need to find the appropriate Wordpress plugin. Dan or Phil might be able to tell you which one they use here. I found one online that might be ideal, but you’d have to test it out:
http://freepressblog.org/wordpress-recent-comments-plugin-widget/
August 15th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
we actually had our modified by a friend to look like that.. email me lance and I will send you the code.
August 15th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Thank akevin… I find that touching, actually. This might sound silly, but when I’m in dialogue with a few others in a thread, I forget that lots of other people might be logging on to Signposts for a look! Thanks for your contributions too…
August 15th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
I logged on and for some reason the side bars didn;t come up and I thought “Oh my goodness, Phil and Dan have shut shop and it’s all over and i can’t talk to my friends any more - then i realised I didn’t have anything to say anyway - so it’s all good…as you were gentlefolk.
I don;t think I’ll hag out much at signposts 2 - I wil pop in and probably do some lurking - but I think for many fo su thi is goodbye.
Da and Phil you guys rock and if I lived in Melbourne I would definetely go to your church - or revs - or someone elses - or maybe just the pub. Your emails have shown that this is not just a site for you guys - you do feel a sense of pastoral care for us signposters - and I for one have appreciated the times when you avhe shot a note to see if my melt down was permanent or if the largactil was going to kick back in. Signposts has helped switch me on to so much emergent stuff and has put me in touch with so many really good people. Signposts will forever hold a place in my heart.
Rev - you dumb arse - doin the lords work T shirts are so de riguer in parts of downtown St Kilda and Port Melbourne…among the homeless and the mentally ill. You are brilliant my man - and I look forward to beating you up or getting beaten up by you which ever suits you best on the day we finally meet face to face.
LF - loved your work
Lance - you made me think about the things I said and the things other people said. I found you abrassive and rude to beign with but eventually I realised you were just a nasty fag who wanted to be loved by pondscum.
Bec - you sweet young girl - get me a coffee will ya?
Homer - you never have and never wil make sense this side of eternity - you are interesting to say the least.
emblazoned - proud of you
abtruth - we never did catch up,but we should
Reve - despite the fact you felt I didn’t like you at times -I really did. My jokes will be remembered as gold in years to come. You have a deep deep care and compassion for those who are hurting and that is beautiful my friend. You ahve a disdain for fuckwits and that too is beautiful!
I’ll get ot the rest of you later
August 16th, 2007 at 9:47 am
this is a shame but some things have to come to an end.
Thanks for the memories and effort required
August 16th, 2007 at 10:07 am
I would like to apologize to Homer, and many others for the way I acted at times on this site, I did not feel at the time I was out of line, but now looking back I was not gentle, nor loving. I will miss the whole gang, especially my fights with Bec. Janet, please continue to read my blog so your anarchist education doesn’t stop
Also if you are interested we are having a special dinner with ploughshares activist Ciaron O’Reilly on the 25th, you can get more info on my blog, at least you will get a nice meal out of it 
Greg, you are often stupid, never funny, and always inferior but I love you anyways. Kev, was nice talking to you, and was great seeing you grow through the challenges. Lance, you are a needed critique on the hypocrisies of our modern church. LF you as well, keep up the prophetic role, and lets try again to have coffee. BTW if you ever want to not tithe somewhere we need financial help at the Cave 
Dan and Phil, thanks for all the heat you took, you guys rock, and you made me beer, which I can never express the proper thanks for. Emblazoned keep up the good work mate, don’t get overwhelmed, and if you ever need to talk let me know. Abtruth, Saint, mn and others, thanks for challenging my intelect, I hope someday you will arrive at my conclusions 
Reve, come visit again. Daisy and Emma username was wonderful talking to you.
To those I forgot, sorry, I have gotten hit in the head a lot, and forget easily.
rev
August 16th, 2007 at 10:10 am
this is a shame but some things have to come to an end.
Are you referring to your huaghtiness or the sin of pride that so infects your heart?
August 16th, 2007 at 10:55 am
All…I’m hesitant to name names, because I just know I’ll leave someone out…Signposts has been an amazing source of distraction (it’s seen me through one thesis and I had hoped it would see me through another!), a source of engagement for an extrovert that is usually stuck in an office on her own, and a genuine source of community…I have met quite a few of you IRL, I’ve emailed many more, and I am consistently shocked and terrified by the people (non-posters) that read my drivel on this sight. Signposts has been so much more than a blog, it really has been a community. I hope lots of you continue over at Signposts2 (that includes you Grug!!)
August 16th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
I couldnt understand some parts of your articles, bec, but it sounds interesting.
August 16th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Vale, signposts, vale. What an interesting community to have been at the edges of.
Does signposts2 come with a slogan?
“Signposts2: This Time It’s Personal!”
“Signposts 2: The Two Threads”
“Signposts 2: The Blog Strikes Back”
Where else can one post such drivel!
August 16th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Hmmm, I remember when Lance started commenting here, one of the things that people used to shout in the comments all the time was along the lines of “If you want to be so opinionated, why don’t you start your own blog” at which point Lance would say that he didn’t want to start a blog because there was still too much work to be done throwing crap at those that were already blogging.
Hmmm. Only took four years for him to change his mind.
August 16th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Wazza,
I couldn’t understand some parts of what you couldn’t understand in relation to understanding Becs’ articles but it sounds interesting….and worthy of greater understanding.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
Great now we can start throwing crap at Lance!
August 16th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
“Great now we can start throwing crap at Lance!”
Sounds good, especially if it generates some blog traffic.
Did I mention the site for Signposts2?
http://signposts2.wordpress.com ?
Oh yes, I did.
August 17th, 2007 at 12:20 am
It’s sad news. I’ve really enjoyed signposts. Maybe you’ll reconsider? In any case, thanks Phil and Dan, thanks for giving of yourselves and making signposts possible in the first place. Thanks to all of you signposters who took the time to share your thoughts and hearts, it’s been enlightening, challenging, at times very moving and I’ve learnt a great deal.
Will bookmark signposts2.
hal
August 17th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Sheesh…just got here and now everyones leaving. In my short time here (about a month) I did manage to meet some nice people…but still am confused at why nobody seems to likes Homer. From what I see, he defends Gods position well, he is to the point, does not use sarcasm like most, never seen him swear, and is able to ignore discourteous posts (which shows much humility). I think that, whether he is right or wrong, shows more of the fruits of the spirit than many others here. Of course my judgment could be lacking considering I have missed allot. Homer, what on earth did you do wrong to these people brother?
God help us to be more like you!
August 17th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
shows more of the fruits of the spirit than many others here
Delete ‘many’ and insert ’some’…..sowwy:(
August 17th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Lance, could you email me about Signposts2? Thanks …
my email: dandlstringer at optusnet dot com dot au
August 18th, 2007 at 12:32 am
Good night and good luck.
I am one of the signposters who will not be blogging on signposts2, for me the blogging season ends with the original signposts. I have said all I have felt safe to say. However, I would be very disappointed if I missed a chance to say a personal goodbye to some of the signposters who have been a very valued source of encouragement, understanding, challenge, good theology and entertainment.
Once again thanks Phil and Dan.
Janet - I have always appreciated your posts, they have provided a source of encouragement, information, wisdom, exhortation and compassion. You are a person I would have liked to have met in RL, still cyber space is better than missing out completely.
Emma W - A compassionate, critical thinker with a sense of humour, a fiery yet gentle spirit, such a winning combo, the very best to you.
Jane - Your a quiet gift to this blog, your posts were few and far between but always worth the read. Still waters really do run deep in your case.
IfIknewthen - Another thoughtful, sensitive, compassionate poster. I am guessing what we have read is the tip of the iceberg. May the future hold very good things in store for you.
Rev - ‘Jesus Saves’ will never be the same again!! Viva the revolution, your such a honest, decent bloke. Actually your honesty has been a standout.
Saint - another decent, caring bloke, if somewhat misunderstood at times, particularly by me.
Mn - you have always struck me as a logical, methodical thinker, a person always willing to try and understand both sides of the story.
Emblazoned - Fight the good fight, but be kind to yourself in the process, the battle is the Lords. I have a feeling your best days are ahead and will be in RL, not cyberspace.
emanresu - I have appreciated your contributions, your not showy, but you have always seemed merciful, gentle and kind. Winning characteristics those. Nice guys do win.
Geoff - A wealth of experience and understander of grace. May your life be like living waters poured out to a very dry and thirsty land of christiandom. But may it never again make you feel depleted to do so. I pray Christ will open unexpected doors for you and bless all those you love.
AVB - a gentleman then, a gentleman now. Both the former and the later AVB have given me much to think about. Blessings.
Lance - I laughed at the satire and the parody, which at times bordered on the theatre of the grotesque. You have always struck me as the ’scarey’ persona with a huge heart who would help another person when the shit really hit the fan. All the best with signposts2.
abtruth, Loinfish, Reve, Tanya, Facelift, Bec, akevin - all the best to each one of you. I hope I have not forgotten any of the regulars, if so my apologies. Just about every post from every person both regular and guest has given me food for thought. That is what blogs are for after all……..Thankyou ‘Signposters’.
August 19th, 2007 at 6:54 am
A friend of mine put me on to signposts after I’d been going through the stuff cleaning my head out of all the bull. I was so happy to see it wasn’t just me and that there were others who had spent a long time getting their life back. It has been good to write stuff down and get it out, even tho it doesn’t mean you always have a response, it’s just good to put it into the forum where there are others who understand. So I’ll miss it, even tho it hasn’t really moved on and most of the time it’s just round and round but that’s ok, it all helps. Lance is the funniest writer I’ve read when it comes to bagging out everything, it’s been great to read his verbalised expressions of my own anger sometimes, and there have been aspects of my time that we haven’t even scratched yet. To laugh out loud at some four letter rant is fantastic and even tho some are offended, he has a knack of cutting straight through to the crux with no bullshit. Thanks Lance. I know you have your own dark places too and hope you find your way ok.
Thanks for making this place D & P, It’s been good to read Geoff, gutsy guy. Jane is a legend and all the others too, cheers daisy, you are good at describing the way you feel and I hope you can keep moving on. I have liked username’s and emblaz’d posts and journey, Loved embl’d refugee poem, so fitting for my own life since hs. Like LF said, hs don’t give a shit about us so it’s good we got out in time to build a life and enjoy it. I like bull’s straight up approach to christianity and also mn and saint and emma w. Also rev and reve, are they the same person?.. Even FL is a straight up sort of guy/gal even tho I don’t agree with it most of the time, you can’t fault his scriptural accuracy, only his interpretation…ha ha.
See ya signposters.