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""
22nd July 2006, 04:29 AM
I would like to request a new forum, to be placed in the Non-Christian section. It would be nice if this particular forum were a safe place where Non-Christians not wishing to debate, but who may be on the verge of accepting Christ, could discuss what Christianity is, (with CF staff and posters who agree with the Nicene Creed) about who Jesus is, and how to become a Christian.

I would request that this forum be placed in the Friendship Team's forums, in the Relaxation area, for the following reason:

1. Many times in the New Member Intro forum, we have a new poster, who has not chosen a religious preference, posting an intro topic about themselves, which includes a desire to understand Christ. Because they cannot access the Christian Only forums, they either leave, or they begin to mingle in the non-Christian section, where they soon forget any desire to know Jesus. Imho, that's something we can change.

2. If it were in the Relaxation Area, near the "New Member Intro" forum, then it would be very easy for them to find. Many newbies, looking for a relationship with Jesus, complain of feeling overwhelmed here, because they don't know where to go.

These posts in the New Member Intro forum have to be moved most of the time, but the problem is that we're never quite sure where to move them. We want to move them to a place that the poster can access, but we also want to encourage the poster. They can't post in the "Christian Only" section because they haven't accepted Christ yet. They don't fit in Questions by Non-Christians, Struggles by Non-Christians, or Prayer for Non-Christians forums, because often times these folks are not asking questions, don't want to discuss struggling (in their opinion), and aren't wanting to be in the non-Christian prayer section. What they want is to discuss what they have learned about Jesus, and hear more. Some of them were raised Christian but say they have yet to commit themselves to a relationship with Him, and they just really want to talk to some Christians, about their desire to accept Christ. They're hovering on the edge of accepting Him. Many just want to be with Christians who will support them in their discovery of Christ. I would love to be one who is able to do so, and I know there are many others like myself who would like to do the same.

If this forum is allowed to come to fruition, I think we should be clear that it is not a debate forum, and people who don't follow the Nicene Creed would not be allowed to witness there, and there should be no discussion about one denomination being better than another. This would prevent confusion, and disagreements. It would simply be a nice little forum for those who have a deep desire to know Jesus, and want a little help getting there from those who know the Lord well. Once they accept Christ, then they'll have a whole host of Christian Only forums to discuss all denominations of the Christian Faith.

If we're not here to take the hands of those who seek Jesus, and show them how, then I guess I'm not sure why we're here.

I ask this humbly, and with the greatest respect. My desire is to serve the Lord Jesus, and I believe that a forum such as the one I have mentioned would help so many.

Thank you for your consideration.

""
22nd July 2006, 04:32 AM
I would like to add that the name of the forum is not as important to me as the reason for it. So if you find that another name for it would be more suitable, by all means, I defer to you. Introduction to Christianity was just something that came to mind, but I'm open to all suggestions for a different title.

mnphysicist
2nd August 2006, 01:36 AM
I think this is a great idea!

Letalis
2nd August 2006, 02:18 AM
We have a similiar forum already in the Outreach section called "Questions by Non-Christians." Though perhaps it would be better to place that forum where you suggested, next to the "New Members Intro" forum.

sc4s2cg
2nd August 2006, 08:52 AM
I support this 100% :hug:

G-d bless,
sc

Angeldove97
2nd August 2006, 05:25 PM
I think it's a good idea Adiya and I agree it is something that the new members we have here could find useful. If I am make one suggestion (since you said you didn't mind about changing the name of it ^_^ ), if maybe we could focus on it being an area to learn about Christianity for newbie members... something like "Christian Answers for CF Newbies".

Of course, I also agree that this should have no debating in it, and, I think this is what you were trying to say, that only Christians could answer in the threads (which is probably an obvious statement since it's questions about Christianity).

I do also see the over lap between "Questions by Non-Christians" but maybe we could have this forum set up so that only Staff could answer the questions. I don't mean any disrespect to all our other Brothers and Sisters here, but at least then the Staff could be held accountable for all the answers posted in the area and newbies would get to know some of the Staff members better.

Just my thoughts :D

Sign Of The Fish Burger
2nd August 2006, 08:52 PM
I really think this is a great idea.
At best even if we put the questions by non christians in a more visable section on the forum.

Miracle Storm
3rd August 2006, 03:46 AM
This is an idea that is a true blessing from the Lord!
I am so glad to read this Adiya!:hug:'s
May God bless you sister!

Letalis
3rd August 2006, 04:02 AM
I do also see the over lap between "Questions by Non-Christians" but maybe we could have this forum set up so that only Staff could answer the questions. I don't mean any disrespect to all our other Brothers and Sisters here, but at least then the Staff could be held accountable for all the answers posted in the area and newbies would get to know some of the Staff members better.

Just my thoughts :D
That's not fair. :(

You're only saying that because you're a mod. :P

What if it the rules in that specific forum were made a little stricter than other areas of the forum? Thereby making all members more accountable and ensuring more Christlike answers.

Miracle Storm
3rd August 2006, 04:09 AM
I beleive every Christian's input would be valuable, not just staff! I hope that if this Forum is accepted that it will be available for all Christians filled with the Holy Spirit to post in and help those that do not know the Lord.
I do think that if this forum is accepted it should have a little stricter rules as Letalis said, but definitely open for all Christians to spread the good news of our Savior!:clap: :amen:
May God bless you greatly Letalis!:hug:
That's not fair. :(

You're only saying that because you're a mod. :P

What if it the rules in that specific forum were made a little stricter than other areas of the forum? Thereby making all members more accountable and ensuring more Christlike answers.

HeatherJay
3rd August 2006, 03:56 PM
:thumbsup: Though I think that stricter rules need to be in place...I've seen some decidely un-Christ-like responses in Questions by Non-Christians. :sigh:

Angeldove97
3rd August 2006, 09:21 PM
:o I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend anyone... my idea was just that before you become a Staff member you're asked about your religious beliefs, if you pray, read your Bible, attend services regularly, etc and your posts are analyzed to see what you actually believe, etc (hope I'm not giving away anything too top secret :P ).

Another option (I guess this could be set up) could be that members will out an application and it is decided if they could be a member to answer questions... think like what we do with Wiki, just with an application involved. This way we know a bit more about the member applying and can be sure their answers will be legit and not just some crazy rammblings on about it which could turn off new members.

Or if this something that sounds too crazy, we could just have the Staff approve every post before allowing it to be posted, but that would be alot of work for the Friendship Team to do... if it's in our area per say.

So I do apologize if I upset anyone... :cry: I truly didn't mean to... everybody here is truly respected and loved. :groupray:

Anyways... I still love the idea. :thumbsup:

Miracle Storm
3rd August 2006, 09:38 PM
Another option (I guess this could be set up) could be that members will out an application and it is decided if they could be a member to answer questions... think like what we do with Wiki, just with an application involved. This way we know a bit more about the member applying and can be sure their answers will be legit and not just some crazy rammblings on about it which could turn off new members.
This sounds really good Angeldove!:thumbsup:



So I do apologize if I upset anyone... :cry: I truly didn't mean to... everybody here is truly respected and loved. :groupray:

Anyways... I still love the idea. :thumbsup:
Oh, I think everyone knows you didn't mean anything by it!:hug: :hug: :hug:
May God bless you Angeldove!
How about a group hug with that group prayer?!:pray:
:groupray: :groupray: :groupray: :groupray:

""
4th August 2006, 02:14 AM
Thanks everyone for the positive responses. :hug:

I really appreciate them, and all of you. :groupray:

""
4th August 2006, 02:16 AM
So I do apologize if I upset anyone... :cry: I truly didn't mean to... everybody here is truly respected and loved. :groupray:

I don't see that you have done anything that should be viewed as upsetting. I think you're great. :hug:

Anyways... I still love the idea. :thumbsup:
I'm glad that you love it! :) :clap: :groupray: