Babes in christ forum for new believers?
- Thread starter Lanolin
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What constitutes a new believer? A month? A year? 5 years?
And if it's only new believers then who is going to teach them anything? None of them know anything. What if one is saved baptist and one Pentecostal? Who is there to work through the contradicting theologies? Or explain why they exist? If it's all new believers then these issues will spread and what damage would that cause?
What if only one new believer joins in a months time? Where does he get answers then?
The logistic difficulty of preventing debates is insane. All mods and admins are volunteer only, no pay, and only come on during their personal free time. To prevent this would require 24/7 monitoring of all threads in that section. Not going to happen.
And, ultimately, people should be using churches, not the internet, for their growth as a new believer.
This site is mostly non-denominational and has to provide leniency for opposing denominations. That's why it can't work. Assign someone to that area who's an experienced believer? And when that persons views are known those with opposing views cause an uproar. Maybe some quit.
That's why people should be directed to churches. One view from one source to build a foundation on. Not on a site with multiple views and trying to set standards that can't be defined.
And if it's only new believers then who is going to teach them anything? None of them know anything. What if one is saved baptist and one Pentecostal? Who is there to work through the contradicting theologies? Or explain why they exist? If it's all new believers then these issues will spread and what damage would that cause?
What if only one new believer joins in a months time? Where does he get answers then?
The logistic difficulty of preventing debates is insane. All mods and admins are volunteer only, no pay, and only come on during their personal free time. To prevent this would require 24/7 monitoring of all threads in that section. Not going to happen.
And, ultimately, people should be using churches, not the internet, for their growth as a new believer.
This site is mostly non-denominational and has to provide leniency for opposing denominations. That's why it can't work. Assign someone to that area who's an experienced believer? And when that persons views are known those with opposing views cause an uproar. Maybe some quit.
That's why people should be directed to churches. One view from one source to build a foundation on. Not on a site with multiple views and trying to set standards that can't be defined.
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Lots more people are going online because they cant seem to find anyone in traditinal churches or they just dont know where to go. Maybe thers a language barrier or they just cant get to a church or think its only open on sundays and that they can only talk to someone there or on the phone.
I think there needs to be encourgament for new believers, not so they become dependent online but so they know that theres people from all over the world starting this journey too.
I think there needs to be encourgament for new believers, not so they become dependent online but so they know that theres people from all over the world starting this journey too.
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Lanolin, maybe in miscellaneous you could start a thread directed to new believers. It may not work because you may get resistance and opposition there too, but maybe give it a try. You could do a little encouraging and leave a scripture. You could to it daily or every other day to keep the thread alive. You could encourage seasoned believers to give their encouragement as well.
My thought is...
Keep it simple and light, and keep it hospitable. Keep the focus on nurturing a relationship with God, emphasizing their One on one time with the Lord, and finding a good bible based church or bible study. It might work or you might find snags. It might be worth giving it a try.
This is just a suggestion. In no way, am I pressuring you. Just an idea.
My thought is...
Keep it simple and light, and keep it hospitable. Keep the focus on nurturing a relationship with God, emphasizing their One on one time with the Lord, and finding a good bible based church or bible study. It might work or you might find snags. It might be worth giving it a try.
This is just a suggestion. In no way, am I pressuring you. Just an idea.
It is always easier to start with younger people. I think it's an idea that opens up some useful questions about how to engage a new believer but without some type of authority and structure. This site has little and is more of a water cooler...
I feel like it may be an idea to have a mentor role added for certain people that new believers could reach out to via PM for discipleship and instruction.
Finding a mentor at a church is a challenge honestly. So it could work...and depending on how teachable a person is via this method it would be sort of like a penpal (which Paul and Timothy were at times).
I think more than a few here could provide generalized instruction on basic holiness. Like purity, guarding your heart in a fallen world, living out your walk, etc.
It's deeper doctrinal stuff that people disagree on and that would crop up if it were an open forum (or even closed) posts would have to be made and selection would be subjective depending on what someone brings up. Not everyone is a teacher as a clearly defined role.
I'll think on this a bit, throw a few more "2 cents".
I feel like it may be an idea to have a mentor role added for certain people that new believers could reach out to via PM for discipleship and instruction.
Finding a mentor at a church is a challenge honestly. So it could work...and depending on how teachable a person is via this method it would be sort of like a penpal (which Paul and Timothy were at times).
I think more than a few here could provide generalized instruction on basic holiness. Like purity, guarding your heart in a fallen world, living out your walk, etc.
It's deeper doctrinal stuff that people disagree on and that would crop up if it were an open forum (or even closed) posts would have to be made and selection would be subjective depending on what someone brings up. Not everyone is a teacher as a clearly defined role.
I'll think on this a bit, throw a few more "2 cents".
"You have a valid point. So much discord, here and everywhere. Anyone searching for a new life
with Christ shall most likely become discouraged with the endless jargon perpetrated by those
that mean well, but are themselves lost. Many are called, few are chosen is a truth not to be ignored."
'Just a thought, from this side of the glass.'
with Christ shall most likely become discouraged with the endless jargon perpetrated by those
that mean well, but are themselves lost. Many are called, few are chosen is a truth not to be ignored."
'Just a thought, from this side of the glass.'
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Sorry I havent followed up on this but feel free to start one I dont want it to be the one starting it cos I havent been here the longest maybe those of you who have mod priveliges, and I will jump in when I can see if someone needs a mentor.
Maybe those that wish to mentor who are good at explaining things and patient can have a special badge or something under their name?
Maybe those that wish to mentor who are good at explaining things and patient can have a special badge or something under their name?
Yea!
With rules applied, maybe a special entry privilege board like the ladies board, and I presume there's a men's. But rules so that it doesn't turn into the contest of theologies and ego's, like in most BDF's. A No Debate Zone, is ideal.
I think the meat believers can handle the rest of the site as is. However, baby Christians I do agree would benefit from a board where they can feel safe to ask questions that the rest of us who have longer time in our relationship with Christ are familiar with.
And a rule! No aggressive contemptuous attitudes. I would say goading but that is so subjective a header that most anything could qualify.
But basically, demonstrate the peace of Christ when those new to Christ's path are seeking wisdom and guidance.
As an aside, it's great to see how this thread about that subject is progressing. Is there a better example as to why such a board would need rules of behavior?
With rules applied, maybe a special entry privilege board like the ladies board, and I presume there's a men's. But rules so that it doesn't turn into the contest of theologies and ego's, like in most BDF's. A No Debate Zone, is ideal.
I think the meat believers can handle the rest of the site as is. However, baby Christians I do agree would benefit from a board where they can feel safe to ask questions that the rest of us who have longer time in our relationship with Christ are familiar with.
And a rule! No aggressive contemptuous attitudes. I would say goading but that is so subjective a header that most anything could qualify.
But basically, demonstrate the peace of Christ when those new to Christ's path are seeking wisdom and guidance.
As an aside, it's great to see how this thread about that subject is progressing. Is there a better example as to why such a board would need rules of behavior?
It would be impossible to regulate such a forum. You can put all the rules in place but that's not going to stop people from doing what people do.
The notion of picking specific people won't work because to do so all people would have to believe the exact same thing (not going to happen). And if you pick a theological group to be the ones to represent that means people in other groups will become outraged and stir up trouble for their view not being represented.
And since there aren't mods on 24/7 any problems that did arise could go on for hours before being dealt with.
Also how is one to be designated a new believer? What qualifies as a new believer? What if a newer believe disagrees with the theology taught here because their church teaches differently? And this causes conflict.
There's a reason this suggestion has not been completed in past requests for it. I've seen this requested numerous times over the years, and yet it still doesn't exist.
The notion of picking specific people won't work because to do so all people would have to believe the exact same thing (not going to happen). And if you pick a theological group to be the ones to represent that means people in other groups will become outraged and stir up trouble for their view not being represented.
And since there aren't mods on 24/7 any problems that did arise could go on for hours before being dealt with.
Also how is one to be designated a new believer? What qualifies as a new believer? What if a newer believe disagrees with the theology taught here because their church teaches differently? And this causes conflict.
There's a reason this suggestion has not been completed in past requests for it. I've seen this requested numerous times over the years, and yet it still doesn't exist.
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Most New believers dont even GO to any church cos they dont even know which one of the zillions to go to.
Well we can be basic and say any church that teaches the Bible, so that rules out church of scientology. And then just pray that person finds fellowship. Its NOT about promoting your own theolgy its about encouraging new believers.
Why people dont get that and insist its going to be a drama is kinda weird like they never thought back to when they started out. What wet blankets. Dont you want others to grow?
Well we can be basic and say any church that teaches the Bible, so that rules out church of scientology. And then just pray that person finds fellowship. Its NOT about promoting your own theolgy its about encouraging new believers.
Why people dont get that and insist its going to be a drama is kinda weird like they never thought back to when they started out. What wet blankets. Dont you want others to grow?
