This board is not like other ones.

[Ronnie]

Good post!

 

[Andiamo]

Have you ever heard of Watchman River or Mark Murchison on YouTube? Both are solid and both have lots of prayer requests in their comments and I can really see you in there doing that (encouraging people) @Ronnie. I would get into that myself but most of my ministry is face to face and I go on the internet to relax

 

[Everlasting Life]

You know, the OP did get me thinking about some things, so I appreciate that.

Ronnie, what I also appreciate about your post is your sincere care and concern for the lost. That's an important part of a Christian's ministry as God leads and for me to keep in the forefront of the mind. Thank you for that reminder.


One of those things that got me thinking is strategic prayer.

I'm going to be keeping in prayer that God leads those He knows who need and will benefit from Gospel sharing, spiritual feeding, and growth in Christ to spirit filled online sites like this one.

And that God would open doors of opportunity to share the Gospel and being able to come alongside believers to support in growth in Christ.

And that God would keep me alert to those opportunities.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

I am not discounting the possibility that this present evil World crept in in the absence of God’s Word and corrupted my spirit and out of it came the OP. I could have been influenced by Demon’s.

More likely the former - a bad spirit. Another sign that I’m flesh, just as TT’s sig. - Not perfect, just forgiven.

Love my family - y’all!

I don't think what you posted was evil, bad, etc. I think you posted out of love for the lost and hurting.

 

[Ronnie]

I really think so as well.

 

[Andy C]

The OP has made me think more about this forum. In looking back at all the recent posts over the last few weeks, about 98 percent of them are from us members who have been together since RF and RR forum days. Why is it that very few new members, and I do mean very few, stick around and post more than a few times? Why is it that we don’t seem to draw many new members who want to post? I have my own suspicions of why this might be, but I’m wondering if any member has any thoughts on this?

Regardless of how many join, this forum has a wealth of information scattered through the many sections and threads to help anyone searching for biblical truths.

 

[Goodboy]

Why is it that very few new members, and I do mean very few, stick around and post more than a few times? Why is it that we don’t seem to draw many new members who want to post? I have my own suspicions of why this might be, but I’m wondering if any member has any thoughts on this?

Without taking a survey or something, I cannot say that I know for sure the answer to your question. That said, with the state of the Christian Church having mostly babes in Christ that are only interested in how God will make their lives better, I think most Christians today are not interested in sound doctrine. This forum in my opinion has the most sound doctrine of any I have been a part of. I think for the most part what we discuss here is foreign and uninteresting to most Christians today. I actually believe that 50 years ago we would have over 1,000 active members. Maybe it is just where I live but I have not found even one mature Christian that is truly interested in sound doctrine. One Christian guy that I have Bible studies with uses ChatGPT to answer his Bible questions.

If I am correct, the short answer is because of the time we are living in where the Tribulation is just around the corner.

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

This is just my opinion based on what I have noticed and am experiencing but I certainly could be wrong.

God Bless!

 

[Hol]

This is just my opinion based on what I have noticed and am experiencing but I certainly could be wrong.

God Bless!

I see the same thing.

There is also a closer fellowship for those of us who enjoyed RR & RF together years ago. We’ve been in prayers and seen God answering our prayers. Anyone who is a Christian is welcome to join, but they may sense that our fellowship has depth and they don’t want to make the effort.

It’s not only this forum where people don’t want to make an effort. On X there are daily flare ups over nothing! People are divided over what a woman is, whether children are capable of switching from boy to girl, etc.

Our society is getting worse and that affects everyone. The loudest are those who have no sound reasoning for their arguments—so they turn to angry loud emotions.

We can be very grateful to @mattfivefour @boughtbygrace @Tall Timbers @Margery @Kaatje @3Nails4Given @Almost Heaven and many more who keep us in healthy fellowship in their service to the Lord. It’s a labor of love in an unloving confused complaining age.

 

[Andiamo]

The OP has made me think more about this forum. In looking back at all the recent posts over the last few weeks, about 98 percent of them are from us members who have been together since RF and RR forum days. Why is it that very few new members, and I do mean very few, stick around and post more than a few times? Why is it that we don’t seem to draw many new members who want to post? I have my own suspicions of why this might be, but I’m wondering if any member has any thoughts on this?

Regardless of how many join, this forum has a wealth of information scattered through the many sections and threads to help anyone searching for biblical truths.

Sometimes I have wondered if we appear cliquish, even though we aren’t. Sometimes people who see long-standing friendships are hesitant to join in the group. * And then you have others like @TCC who don’t let that stop them. I have said stuff like “jump on in” to new people but maybe I should be more intentional and ask a few questions to get them talking…but that might come across as nosey so I don’t know what the answer is.
* I did have to muster up my nerve to post for the first time on RF! Those discussions back then could be intimidating!

 

[Andiamo]

I will say also that, as owner of a website, there are fewer and fewer people who actually read anything now, and even websites of well known ministers have fewer and fewer comments below their articles. People are now into YouTube and TikTok where they don’t have to read and can make drive-by comments without having to have accountability or receive any feedback.
In fact I will be moving our website to a free platform soon. Its just too much money to pay with so few visiting it.

 

[Margery]

Without taking a survey or something, I cannot say that I know for sure the answer to your question. That said, with the state of the Christian Church having mostly babes in Christ that are only interested in how God will make their lives better, I think most Christians today are not interested in sound doctrine. This forum in my opinion has the most sound doctrine of any I have been a part of. I think for the most part what we discuss here is foreign and uninteresting to most Christians today. I actually believe that 50 years ago we would have over 1,000 active members. Maybe it is just where I live but I have not found even one mature Christian that is truly interested in sound doctrine. One Christian guy that I have Bible studies with uses ChatGPT to answer his Bible questions.

If I am correct, the short answer is because of the time we are living in where the Tribulation is just around the corner.

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

This is just my opinion based on what I have noticed and am experiencing but I certainly could be wrong.

God Bless!

100% agree! We are in an age where attention spans are short, the church struggles with various apostate teachings and the babes in Christ never grow into maturity. Enduring afflictions seems counter intuitive to the spirit of the age where TikTok defines the attention span, and Joel Osteen's Living Your Best Life Now seems to be the approach to life.

I was just writing the above when Andiamo wrote this:

I will say also that, as owner of a website, there are fewer and fewer people who actually read anything now, and even websites of well known ministers have fewer and fewer comments below their articles. People are now into YouTube and TikTok where they don’t have to read and can make drive-by comments without having to have accountability or receive any feedback.
In fact I will be moving our website to a free platform too. Its just too much money to pay with so few visiting it.

 

[TCC]

I will say also that, as owner of a website, there are fewer and fewer people who actually read anything now, and even websites of well known ministers have fewer and fewer comments below their articles. People are now into YouTube and TikTok where they don’t have to read and can make drive-by comments without having to have accountability or receive any feedback.
In fact I will be moving our website to a free platform soon. Its just too much money to pay with so few visiting it.

Sorry to hear. For me, I don't want to always take the time to watch a video. In fact, that is often the case. Too many videos...too little time. So for me, articles make it easier to find what i want quickly without being held hostage by a video of length. Things are kind of coming full circle. Just years ago blogging was huge. And longer content most marketable. Which was a healthy sign. With TikTok age, yeah, it seems to have spilled opiods into the reading system/trend we were on.

I saw recent stats that although video holds high attention "45%," articles and long form articles did hold a high "28%" which is reduced by larger than any one other category of print or video consumption in general. Blessings.

 

[TCC]

Sometimes I have wondered if we appear cliquish, even though we aren’t. Sometimes people who see long-standing friendships are hesitant to join in the group. * And then you have others like @TCC who don’t let that stop them. I have said stuff like “jump on in” to new people but maybe I should be more intentional and ask a few questions to get them talking…but that might come across as nosey so I don’t know what the answer is.
* I did have to muster up my nerve to post for the first time on RF! Those discussions back then could be intimidating!

Thank you dear sister for your kind thoughts. The effect that Ronnie notices in ways would be similar to an overall view i have. Not of this forum. This forum actually has quite a few social elements that are beautiful. But what i think is noticed (by many today) is what i tend to call the Laodicean Effect. I believe we are in the church of of Laodicea. And even though every age has all the church types, some ages might be more predominant than others in respect to what church seems to feature most for that age. Our's I believe is Laodicea. Not just because of the prosperity gospel or NAR. But for other reasons.

I believe Laodicea was saved. I also believe they repented. Because the Lord did not snuff them out. And the first wide ranging meeting council of churches to gather was held in Laodicea. The name in Greek means: Of the People. Or self rule. So the way i would see that relate to the church in an overarching sense is that we tend to put a lot of stock in our convictions and view points. Facebook, social media etc, has added to "the power of opinion." As you have noticed blogs less read, i have noticed that instead of exegeiss, the church today "in general" seems far more "opinion" driven. And conviction enforced. That is not all bad. But too much "opinion" where it should be exegesis leaves Christ stand at the door knocking if it is ok for Him to come into all of that we go going on in there.

This is one huge reason that although i totally appreciate some distinctives and sentiments that come out of the fundamentalist movement, even though it often prides itself on separation because of sound doctrine (which to a degree can and in some ways does exist), it largely runs on opinion fuel more than Christ governing hearts at the center. So even in the "cleanest" and "purist" we have Laodicean "opinion" effect. To such an extent that over the decades fundamentalism has been nick named "fundy" and has had cause for books like "The Tale of Three Kings" to help bring sav to the effects of bully Christianity.

So in general i would just say that what is all around us, in the air, in the streets, and in the human heart generic (especially in our age) is tendencies to be influenced by the Laodicean effect of our age. And that will show up in different ways in churches. But as far as I can tell the common denominator problem is "opinion" based operating systems. Which could look very serious and sober. But boils down to the same self rule God was displeased with concerning Laodicea. Hope that helps to some degree with context. Blessings.

 

[Baby Yoda]

don't want to always take the time to watch a video. In fact, that is often the case. Too many videos...too little time.

Same, rarely do I take the time to watch one. Much more helpful to me to read it at my own pace (fast) and people talking take sooo long.

 

[Everlasting Life]

maybe I should be more intentional and ask a few questions to get them talking…

I think you're on to something there!

In the Bible study I'm part of that's what we do. It's not nosy to ask perhaps how they found this site, what are they enjoying about it, or perhaps if they'd like to share a little something about themselves. Even if they have any questions.

You're right that people can feel really intimidated, especially if they are just learning or perhaps had some bad experiences.

Depending on the feel from a new person that joins our group, I like to use some humor. If I sense a down to earth person but is feeling really intimidated , sometimes I'll say something like "We expect you to know the whole Bible, carry the title Apostle and also there's no fun allowed" ..... with a smile letting on I'm joking.

Which of course is so ridiculous they bust out laughing. It's my way of addressing their fears in a humorous way and they relax. This really helps to get conversion going alot faster as they've been put at ease that while we do hold up God's Word in high regard, we don't always take ourselves so seriously.

This in turn creates an atmosphere where they feel comfortable and take in God's Word more indepth (without anxiety.)

Of course online doesn't afford the same kind human to human interactions but it is important to reach out and connect with new people. This draws people in, inviting them and making them comfortable to participate.

Maybe some of the newbies here can jump in and let us know how we can make them feel more at home.

 

[Goodboy]

You're right that people can feel really intimidated, especially if they are just learning or perhaps had some bad experiences.

With Everlasting Life's theme in mind, let me ask is there anywhere on this forum that gives tips on posting? I mean I know there are Posting Rules mostly regarding what you should not post, but is there anywhere that it gives good suggestions on how you should post and your freedom to do it? If there is, I could not find it.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Same, rarely do I take the time to watch one. Much more helpful to me to read it at my own pace (fast) and people talking take sooo long.

It's hard for me to watch a video online because of hearing issues. I much prefer something printed, whether on-screen or hard-copy. With printed, I can research and check up on the accuracy of whatever far more easily. I also have whatever it is available to go back to and/or cite properly.

 

[TCC]

With Everlasting Life's theme in mind, let me ask is there anywhere on this forum that gives tips on posting? I mean I know there are Posting Rules mostly regarding what you should not post, but is there anywhere that it gives good suggestions on how you should post and your freedom to do it? If there is, I could not find it.

Excellent observation Goodboy. I don't recall seeing that either...lol. Like anywhere. But its probably based on the thought that people will be people. They will roam. And so we guide.

So i have two takes on that "roam" thing. One was: At my previous American Reformed Mega Church, they go by the notion that people come with selfishness. So at the gate, we are prideful (in their view...and of course has truth to it, amen). But it went deeper than that. Instead of going the "deep" direction into the weeds, i will just highlight it on the lighter side. One time i was sitting in a service being taught by one of the sub-pastor's, and as he was giving the sermon on prayer and he mentioned that he gets into theology but prayer is more of a discipline for him (many can relate). He compared it to some degree of when we look in the mirror and think we are all that and a bag of chips. I'd actually like to barrow that mirror, lol, because if that is how they viewed sin/self centered heartiness, those were the mirrors of adolescence but my mirror is more like, "Can i ever measure up?" lol. Which your focus here brother is kind of anecdotal (meant in the positive sense of that) to help people open up and feel like they are with family.

Subnote -- which reminds me that church's operating system did have 1st century church aspirations. Some healthy some not so. The major one that i saw disproportionate was the following: Jmac would see in Acts 5 the way to be a church where those outside it saw serious because God drops people dead in that church. But ironically out of that same context, where was the giving of all things in common to one another in the body (at that equal 1st century motif as an operating system)? In a way, to me, it seemed like cherry picking from the 1st century church motif. So your notion here in contrast to disproportion is blessed brother.

The other anecdote is actually from the later period of JDF. I don't know if you recall, but there actually was a thread or two there from moderation helping to encourage types of post that would get attention. It actually helped me to refine some ways to post. I remember the mod at that time was encouraged in how I refind a posting of a very nuanced subject matter video. It was almost like having a tutorial of sorts. Which was cool. And yes, is often rare, or can be, in the online forum world.

Blessings.

 

[Goodboy]

The other anecdote is actually from the later period of JDF. I don't know if you recall, but there actually was a thread or two there from moderation helping to encourage types of post that would get attention. It actually helped me to refine some ways to post. I remember the mod at that time was encouraged in how I refind a posting of a very nuanced subject matter video. It was almost like having a tutorial of sorts. Which was cool. And yes, often rare in the online forum world.

I guess the JDF Forum did have a few good things.

 

[TCC]

I guess the JDF Forum did have a few good things.

And some great things. Brother you were so often a refreshing POV. Always sharing from the heart. That forum had its issus as any other. But it sure had heart.