Ministry, Ministry, Ministry, Ministry, Ministry, Ministry, Ministry,

[Stan]

We have a lot of hard drive space left. If you have any ideas on how we can reach the wounded, the weary , the worried and the weak for Christ over the internet PLEASE PLEASE let me know...

Let's talk...

[Nicodema]

Well, you know what I'm on about ... (I think?) ... but it's a very specific niche ...

[Stan]

I wil pay for the domain names, the web space, the forum software... or other software on anything that can uplift Christ to those we need him...

[Pockey]

One idea I have is an online daily devotional. Kind've like "Our Daily Bread" from RBC ministries. We have so many here that could contribute as writers here. Maybe we could assemble a team where each person is responsible for writing one a week or one a month etc. Whatever is manageable.

[Nicodema]

I could fancy a ministry devoted to helping those coming out of an occult background -- a SANE ministry with solid Scriptural grounding. No moonbat hooey. No overblown demon-showoffy pseudo-"deliverance" nonsense (which doesn't actully "deliver"); no conspiracy theories about non-existent worldwide cabals of rich, powerful, tycoon devil worshippers (pure bunk) conducting highly coordinated SRA and human sacrifices on a daily basis (as if); no parade of freaks, flakes, charlatans and pretenders holding themselves up as "experts on the occult" when those who have actully BEEN there can tell a MILE AWAY the stench of phoney baloney. Like I said: no moonbat hooey.

Instead, while ministering to those who have been turned off to Christianity THE MOST -- and readily admitting, acknowledging, and honestly accepting their scathing criticism of the "rotting garbage on the living room floor" as it were -- we will be exposing those works of darkness masquerading as light, those false ignorant things pretending to be some grand spiritual warfare deal, and thus attract thinking, feeling people of integrity whom God's Spirit is calling, and help strengthen and support them through this morass as they seek to grope their way out of darkness into the kingdom of light (and stumbling through the supposed "kingdom of light"'s own deplorable darkness pockets on the way.)

Something REAL. I like what they are doing over at refugeministries.cc

On another forum I had the privilege of having someone share their testimony and let me tell you I was FLOORED and AMAZED at how God called this person directly to leave their occult life and how amazingly He has held them up and given them strength in their faith-journey seeking Him despite the absolute heinous, inexcusable, horrible things they have been put through by Christians. My heart was POUNDING when I read this person's testimony. For the first time in my life, I have found one like me, REALLY LIKE ME, who ALSO knows the Lord. I have found another member of my tribe!! And I want to find them all, and have a safe place where we can gather online and support one another in growing in Christ, and in ministry & outreach further still.

But I can't do it all myself. I need other ex-occultists with me. I don't think there's any here at C/A. But working with occultists is a very specific and close work, not suited to all and frankly quite difficult for many who don't share the background. Certain personality types are absolutely unsuited for this kind of work -- seriously, that's not a bigot call on my part -- and even those suited might not have sufficient "stamina" or security. I'd pray for the Lord to send some able & available hands around first before pursuing it.

[Nicodema]

Another idea I've had is for an online ministry to teens & young adults called www.goddoesnotsuck.com. Name says it all, basically. Theme is showing young people that God does not "suck". God isn't boring, stuffy, square, lame, confined to the aesthetic tastes of people born before 1945, etc. God isn't just for little old ladies or "prim & proper" people. God comes to us right where we live; He is REAL; He owns the earth and everything in it, so He can, if He chooses, come to us in things suited to OUR tastes: OUR music, OUR memes, OUR cultural & subcultural artifacts, OUR puns, OUR vernacular, OUR inside-references.

Of course even though I'm not too far off the pop culture pulse, I'm no spring cheeekun anymore so I'd need some sharp mature teens and 20-somethings on board for this.

Some of Ed D's input on that "Stones Crying Out!" thread would be relevant here as well ... I bet Ed would have some great ideas for doing this kind of thing.

[Michelle]

nico--you have some good ideas. I am totally unqualified for either of those forums, but I would offer prayer support for whichever were to get started. I read my 15 1/2 year old nephew's blog, and I think, wow, how can we get him to reach out even further. Granted, there are many who would be aghast at what he writes (he's a present and future heavy metal guitarist with a Christian band--trust me on this), but when I read his stuff, I think, now this is a kid who can, with some guidance (light-handed), reach to others his age. I can't do that (especially online--one on one with kids is where my strengths are, or small groups--but online it's too hard for me to gauge things).

Another area I've thought of (but am also unqualified for!) is business people and urban dwellers. How to reach them?

What I do know is that my students are MUCH more likely to "open up" to me via email/IM than in person (part of that is culture, part is language, part is age/tech savvy). They totally tell me so much stuff, and I have found I am able to minister to them more effectively through this medium (I require them to write journal entries every week for my writing classes--some write on paper, some email me). I know lots of details of their lives, and if they know that I know and care (I ask them how their dog is doing, or how they are doing since their grandmother died, or whatever), they will keep sharing. In fact, one boy who had to drop out of school because of finances recently emailed me, just to see how I was doing and how life was going. As he said, I'm not your student anymore, but I still feel that you are my teacher.

Connections, connections, connections. That is the key in this day and age. How to harness it, though.

There have to be smarter people than I out there who are thinking of this or already involved in this.

M

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Quote:

---

Nicodema said:

I could fancy a ministry devoted to helping those coming out of an occult background -- a SANE ministry with solid Scriptural grounding.

No moonbat hooey.

No

overblown demon-showoffy pseudo-"deliverance" nonsense (which doesn't actully "deliver");

no

conspiracy theories about non-existent worldwide cabals of rich, powerful, tycoon devil worshippers (pure bunk) conducting highly coordinated SRA and human sacrifices on a daily basis (as if);

no

parade of freaks, flakes, charlatans and pretenders holding themselves up as "experts on the occult" when those who have actully BEEN there can tell a MILE AWAY the stench of phoney baloney. Like I said:

no moonbat hooey.

But I can't do it all myself. I need other ex-occultists with me. I don't think there's any here at C/A. But working with occultists is a very specific and close work, not suited to all and frankly quite difficult for many who don't share the background. Certain personality types are absolutely unsuited for this kind of work -- seriously, that's not a bigot call on my part -- and even those suited might not have sufficient "stamina" or security. I'd pray for the Lord to send some able & available hands around first before pursuing it.

---

There are a number of ex-occultic/exwitch Christian forums out there - some good ones (like RefugeMinistries), and some not-so-good ones. As an ex-witch/ex-LHP, I'm a mod and founding member of one that was set up as a place of help, healing and support for those who have come to Christ from Wiccan, neo-Pagan or occult backgrounds. It's not specifically an outreach to those who are currently practicing paganism, but we do have pagan forum members as well.

[Dr. Shane]

When I got home from church today I turned on Esperanza TV and Alejandro Bullión was preaching about ministering to the professionals. His message was directed at those that have never been outcasts and are highly esteemed by society. Business owners, doctors, nurses, counselors, architects, teachers, engineers, computer programers, accountants, sales people, reporters, artists, photographers, developers, realators, law enforcement, managers, lawyers, paralegals, pharmicists, etc.

Names for such a ministry could be nicodemus.com, centurion.com, cornelius.com.

One section could be about stories of successful Christians like Luis Pasteur, James Cash Penny and some of our own unsung heros like Garwin McNeilus and Jack McKee.

One stumbling block for many intellectuals is creation and that would need to be addressed by someone that is well-balanced and informed on the issue. That could be done in another section.

[Nicodema]

Quote:

---

rudywoofs said:

Quote:

---

Nicodema said:

No moonbat hooey.

---

There are a number of ex-occultic/exwitch Christian forums out there - some good ones (like RefugeMinistries), and some not-so-good ones. As an ex-witch/ex-LHP, I'm a mod and founding member of one that was set up as a place of help, healing and support for those who have come to Christ from Wiccan, neo-Pagan or occult backgrounds. It's not specifically an outreach to those who are currently practicing paganism, but we do have pagan forum members as well.

---

Pam I'm glad to see you back!

I really like what Refuge Ministries is doing. They seem to have their heads on straight. I'd like to get to know them better. There's also Sacred Tribes Journal. EXCELLENT work, but they've only really put out 2 online editions in like 4 years ... they need to step up the pace a bit. Right now ANYONE debunking the moonbat hooey (can't get over my cute little phrase there!) and billing themselves as "outreach to new religions" and conducting themselves like they have more than 2 brain cells to rub together is definitely on my radar.

Where's your forum located? PM me if you want. It's not ExWitch, is it?

I'm still in the closet as far as the occult world goes. Have never announced my change of allegiance formally -- just dropped off the scene. Guess I'll have to confront that step at some point if I'm going to launch anything ...

[olger]

How about a counseling forum, where spiritual & emotional issues could be addressed in confidentiality?

olger

[Michelle]

Olger--you would be my first choice for a forum of that sort. Your level-headed loving approach is so refreshing in this day and age.

M

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Hi Nico,

I sent you a PM with the forum name and info about it.....I wasn't sure if other forum website addresses were okay to list here. (No, it isn't exWitch where I'm a mod. They've got too many problems, imo)

[Halfstep Denise]

Stan - What would you think of a Disabilities Ministries Awareness section?

Halfstep Denise

[Pockey]

A lot of great ideas!

What about some type of medical ministry? There's quite a few here that could offer their help.

I was thinking maybe something like an online medical advice (with a Christian emphasis) via a question and answer "Dear Abby" style.

And then create like a library of resources for healthful living, i.e. Newstart, exercise, alcohol, drugs, smoking, vegan diet, etc.

This also could perhaps be tied in with Olgan's idea with the counseling and mental health.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

---

rudywoofs said:

---

was out of the church for 24 years; became a witch. Baptized in April 2005.

It seems important to remember, all who have received deliverance have been delivered from the same taskmaster. Those sitting in the pews of various Christion persuasions, totally unaware of ever having been enslaved, are to be pitied and need the same understanding for their blindness.

Often those who appear to be most greatly oppressed, are fully aware of their fall, all the while seeking the Savior. They have more hope than those of us contentedly unaware of our lack.

[:"red"] "A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, for they wanted to see for themselves what had happened. And they saw the man who had been possessed by demons sitting quietly at Jesus' feet, clothed and sane. And the whole crowd was afraid. " [/] Luke 8:35 NLT

The last part of that verse reveals where many of the believers were at the time.

[:"red"] "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear..." [/] 1 John 4:18 NASB

It most often takes a "Nico" or a "Rudywoof" to minister to the most blatantly oppressed. However it need not always be so.

[:"red"] "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" [/] Revelation 3:17 KJV

When we of the house of believers, accept that message for ourselves, our Father will fit us to reveal the Savior we have found as Deliverer, to many persons seeking deliverance.

[:"red"] "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." [/] Revelation 22:17 KJV

[:"red"] "Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them." [/] Hebrews 7:25 AMP

[:"red"] "And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods...from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you...." [/] 1 Samuel 7:3 KJV

[:"red"] "I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me you can do nothing. " [/]

John 15:5 AMP

[:"red"] "I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me? " [/]Jer 32:27 NLT

BTW, for those who might wish to share a ministry not quite as intense, perhaps you might find on www.operationsmile.org

something of interest. I watched a half hour infomertial on TV about the group and was highly moved to give support. The web page has more information than I can remember but I understand there are over 5,000 doctors involved in donated time and effort.

Keep looking up!!

[Nicodema]

Quote:

---

Michelle said:

nico--you have some good ideas. I am totally unqualified for either of those forums, but I would offer prayer support for whichever were to get started.

---

Thanks Michelle! Yes, the Holy Spirit is an endless reservoir of Good Ideas!! I just bum a few from Him to show off.

Quote:

---

What I do know is that my students are MUCH more likely to "open up" to me via email/IM than in person (part of that is culture, part is language, part is age/tech savvy). They totally tell me so much stuff, and I have found I am able to minister to them more effectively through this medium (I require them to write journal entries every week for my writing classes--some write on paper, some email me).

---

Email communication can become an EXCELLENT medium for ministry as can instant-messaging chat.

Quote:

---

Connections, connections, connections. That is the key in this day and age. How to harness it, though.

---

Amen to that!

[Nan]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Sid said:

A lot of great ideas!

What about some type of medical ministry? There's quite a few here that could offer their help.

I was thinking maybe something like an online medical advice (with a Christian emphasis) via a question and answer "Dear Abby" style.

And then create like a library of resources for healthful living, i.e. Newstart, exercise, alcohol, drugs, smoking, vegan diet, etc.

This also could perhaps be tied in with Olgan's idea with the counseling and mental health.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

We would have to be careful with a medical ministry Sid - only general queries could be answered, it would be unethical and we would leave ourselves open to a lot of trouble if we tried to diagnose and treat in a place like this.

[Pockey]

Nan, where did I say anything about diagnosing and treating? Obviously one would not be saying "Oh by the way, that chest pain you're having, is actually a pulmonary embolism. By the time you get this message, you're probably dead." Don't be so quick on the draw on telling me what's ethical or not. I'm pretty sure I can discern between the two thank-you very much.

[Nan]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Sid said:

Nan, where did I say anything about diagnosing and treating? Obviously one would not be saying "Oh by the way, that chest pain you're having, is actually a pulmonary embolism. By the time you get this message, you're probably dead." Don't be so quick on the draw on telling me what's ethical or not. I'm pretty sure I can discern between the two thank-you very much.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

My very sincere apologies Sid. I was describing mostly what I would do, obviously you and any one else would make their own choices about what would be said. I do maintain however that the limits of such a forum would need to be made clear.

[Pockey]

No worries. Thanks though.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

---

Nan said:

We would have to be careful with a medical ministry Sid - only general queries could be answered, it would be unethical and we would leave ourselves open to a lot of trouble if we tried to diagnose and treat in a place like this.

---

I appreciated your words of caution, Nan, and concur. I also found your subsequent response putting you in an enviable position.

[:"red"] "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." [/] Matthew 5:9 KJV

Ethics are rules that men have set up, not finding enough wisdom from a knowledge of scripture to give the necessary guidance needed, but remain a good second best at times.

[Pockey]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

LifeHiscost said:I appreciated your words of caution, Nan, and concur. I also found your subsequent response putting you in an enviable position.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Concur with what? She already said she misunderstood what I said, so you concur with the misunderstanding?

[Nicodema]

Quote:

---

olger said:

How about a counseling forum, where spiritual & emotional issues could be addressed in confidentiality?

---

This is a totally AWESOME idea. I think it kind of got buried in the mix here so I wanted to bring it out again.

Of course this would require some variety of styles and approaches, because not every counselor is suited to the needs of every potential "client". Counselors would have to watch carefully for what pushes their personal buttons or gets them on their soapboxes or clouds their own judgment, so as not to have their "stuff" spill onto someone coming for counsel.

Someone with a "one right answer for everything, to be established indisputably by a mountain of evidence" approach to life, for example, would not be suited to the person who feels stifled, suffocated, and/or shut down by such an approach and who would learn, grow, and thrive through open-ended, fluid, explorative dialogue instead.

[Gail]

Hear hear to all the great ideas! <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />