Hey,

Haven't noticed too many new threads of late. Just got back from the National Missionary Convention. Wondered if anyone else attended, thoughts, comments, concerns...

God bless, Scott

-- Anonymous, November 18, 2002

Answers

Scott:

I've fallen back to looking in here about once every two or three weeks. Looks like most interest is gone. And here's why I think it happened:

A good while back, one of the regular posters in these forums was a Non-Inst. COC fellow who seemed to work hard at alienating and offending in his effort to convince us that he was absolutely right on every issue, and that if we took up a position contrary to his, why, we were hardly worth even being called Christians. He became terrifically obnoxious, and he began to post endless diatribes against his favorite enemies and contrary positions. He came close to taking over the board with his stuff, and fewer and fewer posters would spend time here. He and a few others who fell in with him were eventually banned from the board, and these forums became interesting again, and people came back for good discussions, though not as many as before.

But recently, another poster has decided that a certain viewpoint about church growth is the worst thing to come down the pike since the papacy, and he came pretty close to completely dominating the board with long, endless pasting of lengthy articles by other people, and a refusal to become engaged in actual discussion of the ideas.

I think that's why these forums have all but died. It's wearying to have every discussion turned into something you didn't want it turned into. And it's frustrating to try to discuss ideas with people who would rather use everyone else's words and conclusions to make their arguments.

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2002

Sam;

I agree with you. The sad thing is the offending party never realizes they are the offending party.

I've tried to apologize to some of those when I realize I have become an offending party. And for sure and for certain, when they ask a question, I'll answer their question. Not to defend myself, but it was always so weary that others would never answer the questions you asked them. 'nuf said.

Scott,

How was the Missionary convention? Incidentally, my bro-in-law went to the SECC Leadership convention and thought it was great. They (the party with him) were blessed and inspired to see Bob Russell's humility and love for the Lord.

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2002

Bill:

I was also at Southeast. We took 12 from our congregation. It was a good weekend (and a good week for the ones who went to the pre- conferences). I asked one of the SCC members why the church continued to grow as it does. His reply: The ministers teach the truth, the leaders lead with vision for evangelism and spiritual growth, and the people who are part of it "are always eager to get here and sorry they have to leave at the end." Here in NC, we are making that a significant part of our three-pronged focus as a congregation this coming year. We are taking, and going to be taking, definate steps to do those three things -- (1) Make Broad Creek a "magnetic" place, where people are anxious to be because of the worship, preaching and children's education programming; (2) Develop our young family men into the leaders they need to become for this century; (3) Bring as many members as possible into involvement with the ministries and outreaches of the church.

It's mostly stuff we knew well before we went -- stuff we've known all along -- but to see such a great example of it all working together is encouraging, inspiring and exciting.

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2002

To everyone it seems that we fulfilled Gal.5:15 we were consumed by one another.Just wish we could state our thoughts without fear of being called a bunch of names.Thanks to everyone who can do this. Chuck Williams

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2002

For me....the reason why I have not paid much attention is....IT'S BORING!!! The same old antiquated arguments from both side of the fence.

I must say that I concur with almost everything Phil had to say about the "Wilted Creek" issue.

The seriousness of his claims came to light at the last Indiana Youth Convention where my 17 year old came back hopping made. He attended a workshop entitled...."How to Become a Better Youth Leader." The youth minister that led the workshop did abosolutely nothing except talk about how wonderful "Wilted Creek" was. Gee....do we not have a Bible to refer kids to anymore....or has "Wilted Creek" become the Bible??

This followed by a snotting and blowing woman "youth leader" who said that the only problem with Muslims is "as Christians we need to understand them better." Gee...I wonder has the liberal media gotten to her?? There is nothing about killing 3000 people on 9/11 that I need to understand except...where do you live so we can drop bombs on you. (Yes...it is Christian to defend yourself.)

So yes....Phil has his points. Well taken.

However, Phil discredits himself by loosely using the term "liberal"....while he himself takes a position (i.e., pre- millenialism) that has been seen as the liberal position for years in the RM. (Discredit is too strong a word. Let's say he just clouds the issue.) Phil underscores what Roger Chambers once stated..."Liberal is anyone who disagrees with us."

Then after Phil would state his case.....the same ole' banter goes back and forth. Go back through the archives and see that in any discussion.....the arguments never change.

My conservative positions have been stated quite clearly in a number of places on this forum. (I think Barry one time referred to me as "the redneck wing of the RM." I still wear that title proudly.) People that know me personally....know how staunch I am in those positions. Very few people have the capacity to change my mind about anything.

I read the forum....but unless it's something other than the "same ole...same ole"....it does not stimulate me enough to cause me to want to respond.

I'm too busy filling young minds of mush with my "redneck conservative RM ideas!" he..he

I just felt the need to post and point out that I really don't think the diatribes have much to do with it...(i.e., lack of interest).

I just think people need to be genuinely interested in whatever is posted.

JMHO!

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2002

Good to hear that there are some people still here.

Sam, I appreciate your thoughts on what's happening and wanted to point out that I have been through both episodes with you. You may recall that I was preparing to debate with the first party when he was banned.

Bill, I thought the Missionary Convention was okay. They did a lot of neat things from different cultures- mainly the Native American. I went to the SCC conference a few years back and was encouraged by what I learned.

Anyone and everyone, how do we get back on track with this forum? I would love to see more of us exchanging ideas for ministry, possibly even sermon concepts for things that have worked well for us or something like that. With that in mind, I'm going to go start a new thread before the opening page goes blank. :)

Scott

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2002

I'm pulling this thread back up for Robin's sake. Censoring has nothing to do with lack of participation.

There are 40 people who have the password (that I know of). Most of those pleaded for the password protection. So "censoring" has nothing to do with it.

-- Anonymous, February 02, 2003