Closed Forums

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Prax,

I am sure every preacher would have their own reasons for posting on a closed forum. I have heard that some felt it was better to post with other ministers least they be seen "pastoring" someone elses saints. Some are just more comfortable in a closed environment where other preachers are posting.

I honestly think that many of the conversations would be the same type we had here when many of those preachers posted here regularly. They bickered and fought then. That hasn't changed. What has changed is they now do it outside of the sight of saints. Not that they are "better", but that it is a little unsettling to see a man that preached at your church last night tell another preacher on a forum the next day that he is gonna bust hell wide open for what he believes.



I am not sure I have any major reason, other than it was what was open to me to fellowship when I backed away from here.

Hope this helps.

I believe that's a very reasonable explanation.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Prax,

I am sure every preacher would have their own reasons for posting on a closed forum. I have heard that some felt it was better to post with other ministers least they be seen "pastoring" someone elses saints. Some are just more comfortable in a closed environment where other preachers are posting.

I honestly think that many of the conversations would be the same type we had here when many of those preachers posted here regularly. They bickered and fought then. That hasn't changed. What has changed is they now do it outside of the sight of saints. Not that they are "better", but that it is a little unsettling to see a man that preached at your church last night tell another preacher on a forum the next day that he is gonna bust hell wide open for what he believes.



I am not sure I have any major reason, other than it was what was open to me to fellowship when I backed away from here.

Hope this helps.

A hearty Amen!

[Theophil]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

Prax,

I am sure every preacher would have their own reasons for posting on a closed forum. I have heard that some felt it was better to post with other ministers least they be seen "pastoring" someone elses saints. Some are just more comfortable in a closed environment where other preachers are posting.

I honestly think that many of the conversations would be the same type we had here when many of those preachers posted here regularly. They bickered and fought then. That hasn't changed. What has changed is they now do it outside of the sight of saints. Not that they are "better", but that it is a little unsettling to see a man that preached at your church last night tell another preacher on a forum the next day that he is gonna bust hell wide open for what he believes.



I am not sure I have any major reason, other than it was what was open to me to fellowship when I backed away from here.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I believe that's a very reasonable explanation.

I agree, very reasonable.

[Apprehended]

Sometimes preachers discuss frustrations, distresses, anxieties and situations that cannot be felt or even understood by those who have not walked the same path and carried through the same struggles. It happens that preachers will express those things looking for advice and support from other preachers that have had those same experiences that only they could have. Problems that arise from Pastor/Evangelist relationships and many ethical problems that arise in the ministry are often discussed. Many are the topics discussed among ministers that the layman could scarcely relate to much less be in a position to offer the maturity of thought that is sought.

I have never seen a discussion where the laity, simply because they were laity, disparaged or in any way diminished because of it. All the ministers that I know have the utmost love and care for the people of God, especially those in their own care. This is often reflected in the affectionate words and attitudes of these men of God when they speak of "their" people.

While I would not object to a forum of preachers that could be viewed by the laity, I would not approve of a minister's forum where non ministers could participate. That would be very much counter-productive and would subvert the purpose of that forum.

JMHO, as always of course.

[Walks_in_islam]

They should be closed to the public for many reasons.

Summary:

Spreading or sharing a message is much less work if you associate with like-minded individuals - saves time/effort for the same salary

Staying as far, far away from sinners and sin as possible reduces contamination risk + Jesus did it but Saul/Paul taught to put sin out and away and Saul/Paul decides who and how to spread a message not Jesus (Saul/Paul actually said/used the word "tithe" once and that means Old Testament Law applies in that area)

It closes the door to questions because questions are sinful and see #2 plus questions = more work see #1

Originally Posted by Praxeas

We've all heard that Preachers forums need to be closed to the public. But I've never seen anything in the bible that makes "the ministry" a secretive club. I've never seen anything that draws this great secretive divide between those that claim to be "preachers" and those that don't make that claim.

But perhaps there is a good reason for this. I can't think of any reason. What sort of things do preachers talking about that the don't want non-preachers to read?

[RevDWW]

The only thing wrong with closed forums is to believe that what you say will not somehow leak out.

Should we being saying anything in that we would be embarrassed if it was repeated?

[Ron]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

The only thing wrong with closed forums is to believe that what you say will not somehow leak out.

Should we being saying anything in that we would be embarrassed if it was repeated?

A sad sign of the times when one joins a closed forum agrees to keep things confidential & then shares that with the outside world.
One of the signs of the end times would be people would be "truce breakers"

From Barnes notes on the Bible

Trucebreakers - The same word in Romans 1:31, is rendered "implacable;" see the notes at that verse. It properly means "without treaty;" that is, those who are averse to any treaty or compact. It may thus refer to those who are unwilling to enter into any agreement; that is, either those who are unwilling to be reconciled to others when there is a variance - implacable; or those who disregard treaties or agreements. In either case, this marks a very corrupt condition of society. Nothing would be more indicative of the lowest state of degradation, than that in which all compacts and agreements were utterly disregarded.

People who break the agreement made are no more a Christian than he who commits adultery.
And a so called Apostolic Minister no less.

Sad.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

The only thing wrong with closed forums is to believe that what you say will not somehow leak out.

Should we being saying anything in that we would be embarrassed if it was repeated?

This goes to the crux of the matter, and why it makes very little difference whether they are open or closed, really.

If anyone thinks they can post there in privacy they are very wrong. It would not take me long to have access to an entire thread if I wanted to bad enough.

The web in conjunction with real personal relationships sort of has it's own "Sunshine Laws" LOL!

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Ron

A sad sign of the times when one joins a closed forum agrees to keep things confidential & then shares that with the outside world.

I heartly agree. Seems we all have high expections of the minitry and are let down at times by some, not all or most, but by some.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

I heartly agree. Seems we all have high expections of the minitry and are let down at times by some, not all or most, but by some.

Amen.