Today I was speaking with my mentor, on the unique nature of this "church", this community, and he brought up the great point of how this community must not substitute for the actual meeting of the saints, and I just wanted to put this out there:why not pray and think about, reflect on, having and hosting an old fashioned, Holy Ghost campmeeting for the sermonindex community for next year?just a thought.
I'd be for it. ;)Alot of planning involved...lol.
why not pray and think about, reflect on, having and hosting an old fashioned, Holy Ghost campmeeting for the sermonindex community for next year?This idea has been prayed about much and still discussed by myself and others. I do think it would be good to do but in God's timing. I would ask that nobody arranges meetings to happen, it would be something that myself and others would have to plan and organize. The main reason for this is accountability to ensure that the meeting is appropriate in all regards. I have been asking some speakers that we listen to on the site if they would be willing to speak at an event like this. My hope is to have an 2 day conference where possibly 4-5 speakers from SermonIndex even a few more would share in sessions. The goal would be to have no cost for the event, there would have to be an venue that could be secured freely or by the free-will donation of someone on SI. Also the speakers would not be paid to speak and would have to pay for board or possibly a loaction could be setup for them to stay. If this does work out it would definetly be of God. I am willing to hear ideas of how and what but do understand I won't condone anyone on SI trying to arrange an "meeting" and advertise it here on SI. I hope this is clear.
Thanks for stating that ;) (not for me, im too busy to do such a thing, but always good to be 'safe')There are probly numerous businesses that would be willing to help pay for such an event. Once when you pick a place time, and speakers. Just present to the managers 'hey will you be willing to pay the cost of .....$? or part?' (you live in cali....there is ALOT of money there..lol more than tampa...so i bet naturally it would be God to pay for that) But to have some of the speakers that are on this site, for free, THAT would be God. Not trying to be like negative or nothing, its just 'first time'...'not sure on the amount of people' ..etc.. So like it would be tough to get some 'big' people in our eyes...like Ray and such. (Again, not trying to be negative, just saying that if some people were to come for free, that would ONLY be God's doing).Encouraging idea, even if it doesn't happen soon. Still lifts me up 8-)
I won't condone anyone on SI trying to arrange an "meeting" and advertise it here on SI. I hope this is clear.abundantly.you have nothing to worry about from me. I have always had a yearning to attend and worship the Lord at an old fashioned Holy Ghost camp meeting, and was just giving voice to this yearning.I have little to no interest in attending a "conference".
"old fashioned Holy Ghost camp meeting" - I think we are going past each other on definitions. Using the word conference, all I mean by that is a place where christians come together to fellowship and hear some men of God share their heart and also having times of worship.camp meetings I believe are essentially the same thing where there are a few speakers and times worship? I am not looking to replicate "old" things but just have Christian worship and teaching (preaching) how it was meant to be to bless the body.
Just to clarify further also brother, I am just trying to guard against anyone trying to moblize or get an attendance to meet from this website. If there is to be a bigger event it would have to be mobilized by myself and the moderator staff. It is great to talk about the yearning for a large meeting of believers but I think it would only make sense to talk about it in depth if there was to be a meeting.I know there are many from this site that would love to meet in this capacity. Also in regards to announcing events they all have to be done through the moderator staff on the forums.
I understand, and I know you don't know me, but I would never run ahead of Godly leadership, or goof with another bro's ministry....never.
We had our own versions of the Camp Meetings here in the UK with an amazing group called the Primitive Methodists. If you want to find out more look for William Clowes and Hugh Bourne. Their impact on the UK in the early 1800s was astounding.As much as I would love to see such a 'Camp Meeting' I think Neil's friend probably had something else in mind when he spoke of the need of meeting face to face. I love SI and I know that some regard it as their 'church'; it cannot fulfil that role. The face to face -ness and the personal accountability will never be possible on the Net; neither will the sense of waiting on God in company with other saints.SI is a wonderful 'thing' but don't let it hinder your search for a people who the terms of the Acts might be called 'their own company'. 'home' is not always comfortable but God's declared plan is to set the solitary in families.Another thing to bear in mind is that SI is much wider than North America and the folk farthest from North America are likely to be the ones with the least financial ability to get there.However I still like the idea of a Camp Meeting or several...
I know I would love to meet all you wonderful saints!
As much as I would love to see such a 'Camp Meeting' I think Neil's friend probably had something else in mind when he spoke of the need of meeting face to face. I love SI and I know that some regard it as their 'church'; it cannot fulfil that role. The face to face -ness and the personal accountability will never be possible on the Net; neither will the sense of waiting on God in company with other saints.Thanks Ron for bringing some levelheadedness and reality here. As one of those that oft times would make that leap to using such verbiage as to call this a church .... and without prying the lid back on that whole can again... This did give pause to think more soberly about using such phraseology. You are right, it can never replace that nor fill that role nor should it, would hope nobody would misconstrue this as being more than it is. For one thing it practically deifies definition as it has become something heretofore been unattainable. A place where brethren all over the world can come and share their hearts and experience, exhorting one another, praying for each other, learning from and helping drive us all onwards to that incredible high calling. It's an awe and a wonder but what to characterize it as... a market place of discussion, but more so. A fellowship, but lacking. Difficult to worship with voices that can't be heard in unison, or to break bread in remembrance from a far. Far too many of the obvious missing elements. Maybe it is 'church like' in spirit, in that ultimate sense of being His Church and members thereof at it's core and the sense of community and even the struggle to keep the bounds of peace in true unity of spirit are like in kind, but it still differs, it just cannot fulfill that as you well stated.The face to face -ness and the personal accountability will never be possible on the Net; neither will the sense of waiting on God in company with other saints.Very well sums it up.SI is a wonderful 'thing' but don't let it hinder your search for a people who the terms of the Acts might be called 'their own company'. 'home' is not always comfortable but God's declared plan is to set the solitary in families.Agree, it cannot be something other than what it is, not a replacement for or an alternative to real flesh and blood communion. At the same time I am glad the Lord raised this up for any multitude of reasons not the least of that incredible spiritual education that is ever ongoing. Another thing to bear in mind is that SI is much wider than North America and the folk farthest from North America are likely to be the ones with the least financial ability to get there.Which I am ever so thankful you brought up again. That this is much wider than the confines of this corner of Gods planet and think that is where Greg's words about it being something led of the Lord and pulled together by His doing the only way it would be possible. We have mused on this many a time and would just be besides myself to see it somehow come to pass, have met so many incredible saints here and to be able to gather together... O my soul, I don't know if I could even handle the joy! But I still like the idea.. maybe it would please the Lord to have us pray about it... this hunch of this many true hearts after the Lord gathered together in one setting... the possibilities, frightening, wonderfully frightening.
I would also love to meet with many of the folks here on SI. I have had the priveledge to meet Greg and John (openarms) in CA last year. We had a wonderful time together. I also agree with Ron. It is impossible to come together and wait on God on this context. As close as we came to that was during the live serminars. That was pretty neat. If God opens the door i would travel anywhere in the nation to be at an event. Maybe we could car pool. :-P
I appreciate Greg's caution and respect his restraint. As this ministry grows it could become many things...an annual conference, an independant publishing label, and even the basis for local fellowships. However, just because it can become these things, doesn't mean it should.Part of Sermon Index's strength is in the international access made possible by the internet. Adding a localized event, such as in North America, might unintentionally create a secondary community within SI. The understandable desire to form a closer knit community is probably the driving reason to organize a physical event. I think it's also a very important reason not to have such an event. If an "insider" circle was formed here at SI through the bond of a "kairos" camp meeting, the larger community might be diminished. As it is SI is a unique and remarkable cyber-oasis for many Christians. I've not seen anything quite like it. By feeding and challenging us, it is strengthening the churches we go to, and the communities we are already a part of. SI is ubiquitous and widespread...that is the strength of this very special ministry. Meanwhile we can always make personal connections with inidividuals we meet here in the forum. I personally hope to one day be able to meet several people I have met through this ministry...many outside of North America.Praise God for this special place!Just my thoughts.
Possibly consider making such a "campmeeting" an open-air venue? Thus, all you have to find is a really good street corner or park e.g. New York Central Park.
This discussion is locked.
