This board is not like other ones.

[Ronnie]

Where are all the people with dire and pressing problems.

Examples
My husband told me the he fell out of love with me!

My husband was laid off yesterday and our fourth child is on the way.

My child’s Pediatrician just gave my husband and I a diagnosis that our 14 year old son has leukemia.

I have gross recurrent sin and I know for a fact that I am going to hell.

There is no dire and pressing needs for body ministry. I’m only talking about new members since visitors have no forum which I would love.

Is the people that need this site the most being turned away?

 

[Ronnie]

This board is too squeaky clean, at Bible Forums I was ministering all the time. This is a World Wide Ministry, but sinner’s are allowed to post with their problems. It’s like a church with no outreach that just preaches to the choir, in my opinion.

 

[Everlasting Life]

Ronnie, I'm sure people aren't being turned away and I see that there are many posts asking for prayers.

If I remember correctly those who are not signed up are not able to see our prayer threads (which I personally appreciate) and it may be that because those are not seen people are not aware they can put prayer requests in?

The other thing that may be in effect is censoring on the internet. Because of biblical beliefs here, CCF may not get the exposure that other sites might have....kind of put in the shadows so to speak.

But, we can certainly be praying that God leads the people He knows would do well here at CCF. Maybe this would be a good prayer thread.

I know that God was faithful to lead me to places He knew I would grow in.

 

[Andy C]

This board is too squeaky clean, at Bible Forums I was ministering all the time. This is a World Wide Ministry, but sinner’s are allowed to post with their problems. It’s like a church with no outreach that just preaches to the choir, in my opinion.

IMO, the make up of this forum is excellent. Lots of caring responses in the many prayer threads, Deep discussions, lots of friendly fellowship threads, and as always, Iron sharpening iron.

 

[Ronnie]

If I was in the position, I would contact the webmaster at Bible Forums at the address at the Footer of their page and ask them about them letting the unregenerate post in one forum only.
We have so removed those who are not Spirit-led that that there is little ministry going on.
The body at CCF - well I’m not going to say.
We have stalls, but they are all empty and swept.

“Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” Proverbs 14

Our problem is that we have clean stalls.

 

[Andy C]

If I was in the position, I would contact the webmaster at Bible Forums at the address at the Footer of their page and ask them about them letting the unregenerate post in one forum only.
We have so removed those who are not Spirit-led that that there is little ministry going on.
The body at CCF - well I’m not going to say.
We have stalls, but they are all empty and swept.


Our problem is that we have clean stalls.

You have no idea how many are visiting this site, and getting seeds planted, and watered for growth. Just because many who visit don’t become members, does not mean the Word is not being presented, leading to spiritual growth.

 

[Ronnie]

Thanks true, but I was talking about the body of believers ministering to the needy, it is paramount to our growth and maturity.

 

[Ronnie]

Going to bed.

 

[Margery]

Ronnie, we do have those kinds of threads- but they are in the prayer forums- and the threads called What are you doing today, and What's for dinner. Those are the fellowship threads, but it's also in the discussions in some of the more serious Bible study threads too. I know that What are you doing today may not sound terribly "spiritual" but its in there and the prayer threads that people share their needs.

I know for a fact we aren't turning anyone away with these needs.

We CANNOT let visitors post- there are many very evil people out there. We would be removing tons of vile stuff and need a lot more moderators to manage it.

People are free to join though as long as they are willing to follow the rules- which are right at the top of all the forums. And when they join they are free to post.

Some decide to go against the rules anyway and post stuff that is going against the Bible - it's from cults and seriously bad teaching. That we don't allow- but we don't stop people from posting their deep needs and their sorrows.

The people that come here are welcomed and prayed for.

But they have to come to us and ask for that help- we don't turn anyone away, but not everyone thinks of joining a computer forum of Christians when they think about reaching out for help. Sometimes they'll go to a local church or they'll ask for prayer in the comments sections of YouTubes put out by various preachers on YouTube. I see prayer requests in there on Watchman River's channel and others.

 

[Margery]

Ronnie, I'm sure people aren't being turned away and I see that there are many posts asking for prayers.

If I remember correctly those who are not signed up are not able to see our prayer threads (which I personally appreciate) and it may be that because those are not seen people are not aware they can put prayer requests in?

The other thing that may be in effect is censoring on the internet. Because of biblical beliefs here, CCF may not get the exposure that other sites might have....kind of put in the shadows so to speak.

But, we can certainly be praying that God leads the people He knows would do well here at CCF. Maybe this would be a good prayer thread.

I know that God was faithful to lead me to places He knew I was grow in.

That is exactly why the prayer threads and the fellowship threads are not public- because this is private fellowship and isn't out there for public viewing to visitors. It's to protect our member's privacy.

 

[Andiamo]

It was the Christian love and kindness shown to one another that made me want to join RF. And that place was super duper strict. Way more than here.
Because this forum is not swallowed up by arguments and heresy, love has a chance to shine.

 

[Andiamo]

Thanks true, but I was talking about the body of believers ministering to the needy, it is paramount to our growth and maturity.

I do that in person, and I know from your posts that you do too Ronnie. I don’t make it a point to search out people online who need ministry but if the Lord brought someone to my attention I certainly would.
Let’s let our love keep shining and see who the Lord leads to join and open up in the prayer forums. It could be that the Lord is using one forum more in the way you described, and our forum for other kinds of ministry.
Body ministry is vital also.

 

[Tall Timbers]

You have no idea how many are visiting this site, and getting seeds planted, and watered for growth. Just because many who visit don’t become members, does not mean the Word is not being presented, leading to spiritual growth.

For every registered member, there are many more who visit and peruse the site. This is a good site for people to peruse if they're looking for the Truth.

 

[mattfivefour]

Ronnie, if you check the numbers of people on our site, you'll sometimes find hundreds of guests reading here at any one time. Not bots, but actual visitors. I do not know how big a witness this board has. But I do know that God is using it.

 

[Spartan Sprinter]

Ronnie, we do have those kinds of threads- but they are in the prayer forums- and the threads called What are you doing today, and What's for dinner. Those are the fellowship threads, but it's also in the discussions in some of the more serious Bible study threads too. I know that What are you doing today may not sound terribly "spiritual" but its in there and the prayer threads that people share their needs.

I know for a fact we aren't turning anyone away with these needs.

We CANNOT let visitors post- there are many very evil people out there. We would be removing tons of vile stuff and need a lot more moderators to manage it.

People are free to join though as long as they are willing to follow the rules- which are right at the top of all the forums. And when they join they are free to post.

Some decide to go against the rules anyway and post stuff that is going against the Bible - it's from cults and seriously bad teaching. That we don't allow- but we don't stop people from posting their deep needs and their sorrows.

The people that come here are welcomed and prayed for.

But they have to come to us and ask for that help- we don't turn anyone away, but not everyone thinks of joining a computer forum of Christians when they think about reaching out for help. Sometimes they'll go to a local church or they'll ask for prayer in the comments sections of YouTubes put out by various preachers on YouTube. I see prayer requests in there on Watchman River's channel and others.

I agree, especially with the trolls under sheeps clothing that come in with no other purpose than to sow discord for their petty amusement.

I think this forum has the right balance.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Even if new members log in and see the prayer and fellowship parts of the forum, they might be far more interested in the other parts of the forum, and those areas are why he or she joined or reads as a guest. It may be that he or she is wary of asking for prayer online, or receives prayer at a home church. It may be that visitors and new members are being well-served by home congregations, but are missing eschatological teaching and preaching in their home churches, and so are getting it here. It could be that visitors aren't even Christian, and so don't know to ask for prayer. It may be that guests are reading without signing in so they can shut down quickly (family, boss, etc.), have plausible deniability, etc. Or simply don't need to log in to just read, and it's one less step to getting to the meat and potatoes they come for.

I think the Mods do an incredible job of ministering in the various parts of the forum, as needs occur and are made known. The open and closed parts of the forum support what is needed. I don't think people with pressing needs are being turned away. I believe God will lead them to the the prayer section when and if needed. At the same time, I believe God is safeguarding the privacy and safety of the members, who are posting in the prayer and fellowship areas.

When the brouhaha occurred at that other place, I looked for others from there, who had been "disappeared" like me. I was so happy to find the others and this place because this is a SAFE PLACE without trolls, bullies, heresey, apostasy, or blasphemy. I don't have to be in Condition Red or Orange here because a specific set of doctrines is enforced, and I know the framework from which discussions will be conducted, questions will be answered, and fellowship occur. I know that the people here are loving Christians, who truly care about one another. I treasure the relative safety of the closed off fellowship and prayer areas. There is no way I ever would have posted some things if it hadn't been this way. God tells us to share our burdens and pray for one another, and having a SAFE PLACE to do so is PRICELESS.

On other boards, which do not enforce a specific theological system, there is a lot of confusion, unBiblical beliefs, and outright heresy, apostasy, and blasphemy. As a Christian, who knows the truth, I'm duty bound to confront and share the truth from the Bible. This is time-consuming and very stressful. Add in the predators, agents of satan (where have we heard that before LOL), bullying, and fights, and it becomes obvious that many allegedly Christian boards are anything but. There is no way I would feel comfortable asking for prayer or fellowshipping on those boards because it would be UNSAFE.

It may be that new members wouldn't post in the prayer and fellowship areas here because of bad experiences on other boards.

I am very thankful that this board isn't like other boards.

 

[Ronnie]

I probably broke some rules yesterday! Mentioning another forum for one.
_

I heard what everyone said and am considering your points. Nevertheless, I should clarify myself before I retire from the discussion.

I symbolize carnal / fleshly Christians and the unregenerate loss as oxen. I meant by clean stalls is absence of the unruly and the dirty unregenerate loss person who need ministers of the word in their lives.

They could be quarantined in one forum and the forum have designated mods or be put on moderator queue.

For me the discussion has come to an close, thanks for the discussion done in love.

 

[Goodboy]

I first became a member of a Christian Forum when the book "Left Behind" came out by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins many years ago now. I later watched a show where Tim LaHaye suggested a Christian Forum called Rapture Ready which I became a member of. I was very happy with that forum but they later shut down the forum and suggested and forwarded people to a different forum. I later left the suggested forum because of all the arguments and strife. I then went to two other Christian forums over the years, all of which over time again had arguments and strife. I stopped going to Christian forums for over a year until a previous Christian Forum friend I trusted suggested this forum.

I say all that to say that I got saved when I was 28 and am now 72 and this is by far the best Christian Forum I have been a member of!!! I can tell you if you stated what you have in this thread on the other Christian Forums I was a member of, you would be either attacked or banned. As you can see you have not been attacked or banned, just responded to your concern. This is just what Christians should do in LOVE!

While I disagree somewhat with your point, I am happy that you have the freedom to express it here. Please understand that we all have different callings which causes us to have different priorities. On this forum to me the priority seems to be to discuss the Bible with LOVE. I expect there are other Christian Forums where the focus is on peoples burdens and if not, maybe that is something that you may want to start with someone. I love this forum just the way it is though as my calling is to share the salvation message and Bible doctrine. So this form just happens to be perfect for me, but I do understand why it may not be a perfect fit for you.

In any case, I am glad that you have felt free to express your feelings about the forum. While I personally don't believe a change to the forum is needed, maybe the Admins will at least consider your thoughts.

God Bless!
Goodboy

 

[Ronnie]

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!

 

[Andiamo]

I think you expressed concerns that you have in your heart and that you have a tender heart for the lost. I think that quarantining them in one forum with its own mods is an interesting idea but it would require a ton of personal attention that we probably don’t have the resources for. I have also seen unbelievers posting on other boards and sadly, more often than not they are asking questions that are not genuine, but to harass the members or even with the intention to plant seeds of doubt.
I think our name “Christian Community Forum” says it all, this is a type of church and if this were a brick and mortar church we wouldn’t allow just anyone to speak at the microphone.