This topic has been discussed here previously but I wanted to revive it. Does anyone have any ideas as to how our little community can grow? I very much enjoy the fellowship of like-minded brethren as exhibited here. In fact we recently had a very good discussion on a topic that was wonderful for me to be a part of. I really liked it.

Are we, who hold the Bible as the supreme authority for both faith and practice so few in number? Have the Churches in our respective countries gone so liberal that there are so few who can participate and enjoy this site? I think not. I do believe the churches across the world have suffered the apostasy but I know for a fact there are others out there who believe as we do.

The question remains as to how we attract them to a God-fearing and God-loving site? Does anyone have any ideas on the subject?

In Christ,
George

Excellent question George.

I have told my church about this site and they all thought it was wonderful that a presence on the web such as this is even available!

I believe many of them would venture here if it weren't for one thing. Except for myself, there is only one maybe two others that have internet access. The internet is viewed as much as a cesspool as television. They simply avoid it out of rule. Also, even though we have a few young adults, they only have interent access at school because of their parents restriction of the internet at home.

I have found only a few other forums (maybe three) that are like FP and are worth going to. I have visited dozens of others that claim to hold to the "fundamentals" but show no effort in managing content. They allow any and all to post whatever they feel no matter how heretical, apostate, immoral, or offensive.

One site in particular (one that is still found on many Fundamental (Baptist) Believing websites Links pages) opened up not long before I started my website and IRC chat ministry. That site was as nice to visit and as fundamental as FP. However some time in the past few years they grew tired of defending the faith and now it is the wild west and an ecumenical nightmare. Yet if you go to their main webpage, you would think they are still the same as in the beginning - peel back the first layer of the onion and all you find is rot.

I initially decided to add a forum to my website but wanted to hold off for a few months until the IRC Chat gained a stronger foothold. Then the regulars and those interested in more in depth discussion would have a less intrusive place to discuss things. I finally decided to not put in the forum because at the time I did not want to have to "fight" for my beliefs like I and the few other IFB's were forced into doing day in and day out on IRC. We did initially have a mail list and it was good and somewhat popular but even it soon became to the point of being uncontrollable when dozens of non-fundamental "believers" flooded the list. Of course if or when you moderated anything or simply tired to correct false doctrine - well lets just say I was called everything in the book and suffered email attacks and many website hack attempts.

Why do I bring all of this up? I guess, to remind you that, YES we are in a very small minority here in the WWW - even more so than in the corporal world.

Also, once a sight such as this hits the radar, more and more people join simply to harass and attack. I am sure the site admin here as well as most members have no fear of attacks on them and our beliefs. But it usually comes to a point where normal fellowship and study is put aside because the time is spent defending our position.

I still believe that there are many God-fearing, God-loving, Fundamental-holding people that would find a sight such as FP a blessing and a helpful tool in their daily walk. The problem is letting them know it is here. Word of mouth works well. I would also suggest advertising in like-minded publications such as Sword of the Lord. Of course that costs money - but that can be dealt with. You can also do link exchanges with other like-minded websites.

Another way, which I am sure you are aware of, to bring more people here is to expand your website - add more content pages that people would be interested in. More hits of course means a better listing position on Google and the other web searches which means more traffic. Of course there is no guarantee who your will attract.


Also, I hope no one misunderstands. I am not saying you shouldn't be trying to attract those that are not Christians. On the converse I wish more non-Christians would visit sites like this! But we must be aware that for every like minded believer, and every sincere unbeliever will come ten trying to tear you down. Expanding and growing beyond a small secluded community, for the admin, means going from a forum that really is a daily joy to host and work on to a job that can have many highs but has the potential to have many many more lows and frustrations.

Jerry

I hope it was alright, but I added Fundamental Preaching to my links on my blog. I hope this will help to expand or advertise for this forum.

This post was last modified: Wed Apr 16, 2008 01:13 PM by Greektim.

That is a wonderful idea brother! I don't think anyone here will complain about it, in fact I thank you for doing that.

In Christ,
George

Question for my "advertisement" - is it Fundamental Preaching or Fundamental Preaching.com? Which is the preferred title?

The website name link (fundamentalpreaching.com) is good enough. The title itself might confuse someone because there really is not a preaching pulpit or sermons posted like there used to be.

This post was last modified: Mon Apr 21, 2008 04:04 PM by Jim.