Why do so few get involved in discussions on Sermon Index???

sermonindex Apr 9, 2016

This post is mainly for all those who DO NOT normally post on this forum. Here is your chance to say something lol.

I personally would like to know why you rarely, if ever post on this forum? The ratio of registered members to active posters seems to be very, very low.

Please understand this is not a dig at you at all, but a survey if you like, so I can learn something about myself and how I can change in the way I interact with others online and in group discussions.

In real life group discussion most people remain quiet and say nothing when the talkative people (like me) do all the talking. Which is sad really and something that we need to understand so we can bring change.

The flip side to this though is that if the talkative people do not start talking, then noone ever says anything:-)

Perhaps you are just shy? Afraid of being shot down? Or maybe you don't have the time or the energy? Or is it that the few posts you have started, have never received any comments or feedback? Is it this site? Is it boring or focused on beating the same old dead horses over and over again...issues that have no bearing on your life and thus do not draw you in?

Whatever the reason, I pray we can all have a very fruitful discussion about this matter.

Now its your turn. Please say something...um, anything:-)

sermonindex Apr 9, 2016

I will add this. Perhaps one reason is that the forums are confusing? Greg are you listening:-) Having a top ten on the home page and then having to go into the guts of the forums and figure out where the old thread went that you were following. That can be confusing.

Also the sheer volume of posts that get put up can be overwhelming. Anybody can post anything they want it seems, very little is moderated from that point of view from what I can tell. Not that this is a bad thing, but if there are dozens of posts put up each day, then one can tend to skim over most of them as they zing past. Just a thought.

M

mama27 Apr 9, 2016

Since this is just a survey, I will put in my two cents. Firstly, life is busy, and if there is extra time, I ought to be spending it with the Lord. That said, often I will come to this site and read what others have posted as a fellowship of sorts with other believers who for the most part are intent on following hard after God. I used to post my thoughts more, but would often be challenged, or misunderstood. Because I am an overly conscientious sort of personality I would be upset for hours at what I had said to bring on such a response. I found I did not have the emotional energy to deal with the comments, so it was "safer"/more expedient not to be drawn into the fray. Not sure this helps, but it is my reason for not posting more.

sermonindex Apr 9, 2016

Thank you mama! I am glad you were honest, this is what I thought might be the case with some people. I think this is one of the reasons why I left a couple of years ago. Just didn't like the fact that something so silly as an internet forum was "eating my lunch" lol. So I left. But now I am back and want to learn how to interact with others more in keeping with the way Jesus would do it. Blessings sister!

L

Lysa Apr 9, 2016

These forums are not for the faint of heart. It takes courage to post something not knowing if it will be accepted or rejected. And if it is in disagreement to the original post, someone will invariably try to put you in your place and let you know you were out of line (according to them).

Mark, I've never gotten this from you but there are definitely some theological bullies here who do not allow dissension (in their eyes) and if it's from a woman... oh my Armageddon!! (my sense of humor kicking in)!!! Ginnyrose posted something the other day and somebody reamed her out over her well documented opinion. She never picks on anybody!

God bless you for even starting this discussion,
Lisa

EDIT: I did not see mama's comment before I posted this, so I rest my case!!! :)

When I first joined, I was much more argumentative (I know, right?!), so if I have offended anyone previously, please forgive, God is still working on me too!

M

MrBillPro Apr 9, 2016

Brother Mark, I would love to give you my personal reasons, I'll just let these few scriptures let you know why I will just keep my reasons to myself. :-)

Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Matthew 15:11
It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Proverbs 15:1-2
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

sermonindex Apr 9, 2016

Hi Lysa,
I think it is good every once in a while to "stop talking" and listen to our heart:-) We can be so full of opinion and knowledge that we completely miss the negative effect we have on others. I think I do this a lot more than I realize.

And yes, oh my armageddon...didn't you get the memo sister...women MUST be silent in church as well as on forums lol. When you grow up in a church where woman are told directly and bluntly that they are not welcome to speak or even pray out loud in any kind of believer gatherings, then you can imagine how that attitude spills over into social media and christian forums like this. That said, I don't think this is an issue on SI, at least not what I can see. Maybe in one or two bullys but we can just ignore them right? :-)

sermonindex Apr 9, 2016

Thanks brother Bill. But you have posted a whopping 2347 times already. Are you saying that of late you post very infrequently because of those warnings in scripture?

M

MrBillPro Apr 9, 2016

Lysa but there are definitely some theological bullies here who do not allow dissension (in their eyes)

I would have to agree with Lysa 100% on this statement, I truly believe this is why most don't post. I heard a preacher say once "you have never really been beat up until you have been beat up by a Christian".

Mark I've been here 11 years. I don't think that would be whopping. That's not even 1 post a day.:-)

sermonindex Apr 9, 2016

Hi brother Bill, I see yours and Lisas point about the bullying. Like Lisa said its not for the faint of heart. Thats a crying shame though. I wonder if we were all in the same room and discussing the same issues if we would speak the same way we do on social media. I don't think so, which is one of the banes of the 21st century imho. Humans have not yet figured out how to speak online the same way they do in person.

Is there any short term solution? I think that a site like SI can have a huge and positive impact on this problem, but we have to learn to love one another and speak the truth in love with one another.

Too often though, people cannot take correction and end up leaving or asking to have their account deleted. Or they just go quiet and lurk. The vast majority on SI however are pretty good about taking correction and I see lovely humility and apologies all the time from active members.

On the flip side, while those who are offensive need to learn to take correction, those who are offended and go quiet may have to check their heart as well and make sure they harbor no grudge against anyone on this site. Thats another issue of course, but probably related.

M

MrBillPro Apr 9, 2016

Good word Brother Mark. Mark, I'm not bashful about admitting, I don't know the word even close to a lots of folks here, would I like to? of course. The problem trying to learn the word here is, it's very easy to get confused for someone like me when the "debates" for lack of a better word, get heated. Mark although I don't like this word "baby christian" I'm not a baby christian, I just have a problem reading, understanding, and keeping the word in my memory banks. Now if you want to talk Air Conditioning, we can have a good discussion. Speaking of "Baby Christians" that might better fit the ones that bully.

sermonindex Apr 9, 2016

I hear you brother Bill...and yes, btw, I actually do want to talk air-conditioning lol. I am building a cabin on my property and may need to pick your brain about ac choices. I will contact you...maybe grab a coffee one of these days?

O

onemite Apr 9, 2016

I have to agree that posting is not for the faint of heart.

I have been challenged beyond my energy to defend my reasoning, and felt I was way in over my head.

Of course, I do want to accept correction. I'm not saying a challenge isn't sometimes a good thing!

Other times, I have responded here and there but felt invisible. That very statement reveals insecurity!

I have posted when I felt a burning to share something of mine to encourage, but I try to keep it minimal too. The things I have felt so bold to post on a public forum have most often been the things that I am most passionate about- the things that I have experienced first hand and are the areas that God has touched me so deeply that words seem to diminish their depth.

If Im honest, when I have created my own posts, it was because I was in need of something from others in the family of God, whether looking for validation, approval,encouragement, because I was lonely,or just needed a word to help me fan the flame within me. Some reasons are good. Some are not so good.
I try to keep myself in check so that I don't fall into what I call "the lonely trap" which is talking about God in order to fill a longing that is never filled, instead of talking in a way that cultivates or a deeper hunger and longing for Him and His righteousness. I just want to become a better Christian. I want to know how to apply God's truth to my practical everyday walk in life.

I often read posts about happenings in the world and keep my thoughts to myself, not only because I believe that my opinions are unpopular, but because I have lived in places where it is dangerous to be a Christian and I continue to travel so I don't feel I can freely, safely post on many topics but I love Sermonindex because I see that discretion and discernment have been used to determine what learning material- videos and text sermons would be posted.

My lack of participation here has nothing to do with anybody here.:) You are all great. I enjoy reading through your posts and even seeing how you all manage your disagreements.

Hope you all have a great day. It's been nice being part of this thread!

Onemite.

sermonindex Apr 9, 2016

I haven't felt any desire to join in recent conversations, as l do not wish to waste my time on matters which are purely conjecture. I just have no interest in what might or might not happen in the future. What happens today is enough for me. Time for involvement does also depend on my health and energy and recently l have been having a health crisis.

Y

Yeshuasboy Apr 9, 2016

The gracious and merciful Lord Christ Jesus be with you in Spirit and in Truth, dear brother Awakened.

I was just about to get dressed for another work shift, and so this came to my mind maybe 2 minutes before I came to my pc and saw your post - "I am getting behind on a few things that I feel greatly compelled to post on this site for the glory of God and the benefit of the brothers and sisters that are in Christ, the suffering saints, and the discouraged." Then, my heart seemed to sink low and tears began to flow from my eyes - "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner".

By the grace of God, I will post a few things this weekend, as well as my week-late, "The Apprentice and the Hollandaise Sauce" for brother Jeff Marshall.

The Lord be with you all this weekend. Let us draw nigh unto Him, and He will draw nigh unto us. For He works in us both to will and to do according to HIS good pleasure. Oh, what an amazing God we serve, that will we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.

M

MaryJane Apr 9, 2016

Greetings

As you might see I am not someone who it "quiet" in posting but than again numbers can be very deceiving. The times I have posted go through seasons. Sometimes more often as GOD gives leading other times not at all...

I post in the devotional thread often, in fact over the last few years that is where I post most of the time. I try to respond to prayer requests as the LORD leads but I don't get caught up in discussion very often. I will admit most of the time things discussed go right over my head. When I read a post I ask myself will taking part benefit me/others in my walk? Will it help any others or me to grow closer to JESUS? Most times the answer is no so I just don't post to those discussions.

In all honestly I don't really look at the numbers though:)
I just always try to look to the LORD and see what HE has for me in a post and what HE is leading me to do...

God Bless
mj

J

Jeremy221 Apr 9, 2016

Personally, I only post after prayer. If the Spirit does not bear witness that I should open a thread or stir a response I am silent.

There have been a couple times where I have entered into a discussion in the flesh and seem it eat up my time. I have had to apologize for my poor witness. I know that sometimes I have delayed posting because I am fearful of my words cutting wrongly and sought confirmation from the Lord for several hours.

There have also been several times where God has given me grace by preventing posting through my browser crashing, login cookie expiring, servers going down or even my internet connection failing.

sermonindex Apr 9, 2016

Hi brother/sister? (not sure sorry)

I like what you said here, "I just want to become a better Christian. I want to know how to apply God's truth to my practical everyday walk in life."

This forum is helpful in different ways to different people but I think the greatest help has to be what you mentioned. Unfortunately, historically speaking - the busiest posts have little to do with how one can practically improve on ones everyday walk with Christ.

I think this kind of open discussion and honesty goes a long way to fixing that. If we can work on how we discuss matters as believers online, then we can hopefully work on improving in our real life relationships too. God has and will continue to use this forum for that means, if we will continue to be honest and transparent and humble with one another.

sermonindex Apr 9, 2016

"I just have no interest in what might or might not happen in the future. What happens today is enough for me."

Amen sister Brenda, this is one of the main reasons I left facebook...end times and current events DOMINATE the christian community on facebook. Or maybe its just the friends I kept lol.

sermonindex Apr 9, 2016

Praising the Lord with you brother Richie..."Oh, what an amazing God we serve."