Am I Wasting My Time?

[JustAsIAm]

Am I wasting my time adding additional features to the Hiding Place?

I have added a video area where people can add their favorite GodTube videos. I have added 2 bibles and a bible search, a personal photo albums area and plan on adding more (blogs, games, etc).

But I don't want to take the trouble to add these things if all you want are forums.

I understand we currently have only 8 members, but since I have seen no comments on the new features, it appeared as if they were not wanted of appreciated.

What do you think?

[resecoy]

I don't really know what people want. What do they need? How are we to tell?
Let's be in prayer.

I personally don't need games, blogs, GODTube and a bunch of bells and whistles because I view this site as a chance to minister one on one. There may be others that are ministered to or have an interest in other things.

I appreciate the online Bible and Bible helps. I am sorry I haven't communicated that to you. Forgive me.

I don't have a full answer for you. I appreciate all that you do and know that this has been your vision and have been happy to participate in it but I am not computer savvy, can't fix or repair glitches, and use the net mostly for needs, not entertainment.

Being honest, I think we need to back up and figure out what the vision is for this site and what our mission is for this site with the perspective of how it enhances the kingdom of GOD and how it glorifies him. We can't please all the people all the time. Paul was all things to all people in order to win some because the all things he was talking about was Christ and the all people was anyone who would listen and those that He won was through the truth of the Word and the working of the Holy Spirit.

Don't mean to preach. I think we need to focus. And, like you I need input from other members.

For now let's just pray for the will of GOD for our efforts.

Again brother, and I call you brother and hopefully I can call you friend, I personally thank GOD for you and this site.:grouphug:

[JustAsIAm]

I appreciate your comments. I may have lost a bit of focus on this one. I look at sites like Talkjesus.com and ChristianForums.com and wonder what I can add that will bring more people to our site. Their sites are very successful and I wonder what I am doing wrong.

[resecoy]

Is there any way we can ask them?

Would it have anything to do with how people find our site? I mean if I am doing a search for a Christian website, does this one come up in that search?

Again I think that if we back up and look at where we want to go, who we want to serve, what we want to do for Jesus then it would be a little clearer about what we need to do.:read-bible:

[JustAsIAm]

I have tried asking them. They do not even bother to reply to me. Granted, I got a little info from TalkJesus about where he got his online bibles, but not on how he got them to work within the forum software. I had to figure that out on my own.

[resecoy]

So, is it our vision and focus and mission from and for the Lord to be another website like two other websites?

Is that how we add to the kingdom?

Or are we about adding to the kingdom?

Revisit the original vision. Is it still the same?

Does lack of membership mean lack of interest?

I am still praying.

Consider these three things:

What is the specific purpose of the site?

How do you measures accomplishing that purpose?

What are the things we need to do to accomplish the purpose?

In considering those things what are we going to do differently or better than other sites that will draw people to us? (Jesus said if He was lifted up then He would draw all men to Himself)

Let's stop worrying about where we are. Let's take some time to reflect on what and who we are.

:bow2:

[JustAsIAm]

My vision is always to serve God. However, I have not heard a definite plan from God yet. However, I would love to see a site that is not only informative to the visitor, but salvation oriented. I would also like to see hundreds, if not thousands of visitors.

If we can do this and make the site fun as well, I would be happy.

As for now, I have created a brand new site that will allow me to add all the modifications I want here and get it out of my system.

And as usual, in His Name

[resecoy]

Well, GOD Bless you. Use all the creativity that He has given you. You know what the Lord thinks about wasted talents.

[JustAsIAm]

I don't think my talents are wasted here. God gave them to me for a reason and I really do praise Him for them. I use the other site to test out my additions so that if they break something, this site is not affected by it.

[resecoy]

Tell us about the donate button

[JustAsIAm]

I just added that so that if anybody wanted to donate to the site, they could. The money would go towards the the monthly hosting fees and any software I need to buy when I add something to this site.

[MikeHolohan]

You are not wasting your time bro... sent you a little something to encourage you... where are you hosting now?

Mike.

[Lyonguard]

You mentioned attracting new members so I wanted to offer my unsolicited opinion. I know when I am looking for a new forum, appearance is what draws me in quickly. It needs to be easy to read. I wanted to give you this link as an example....

http://faithandfellowship.com

The skin can be changed to the user's preference so that makes it even easier for the user.

Of course, content keeps me at a forum. And strife will drive me away from a forum immediately. The personality of the forum depends on the vision and the rules. And some personalities grow faster than others.

Anyway, that just my two pennies worth.

[JustAsIAm]

Anyway, that just my two pennies worth.

Worth alot more than 2 pennies, I think. Thank you for your comment. I have looked at that site and liked what I saw. They are using a different message board software, but alot of what is there can be done here. I will look around a bout.

Soon I will be posting my statement of faith as well as the vision I have for this site. Then we can decide if my vision is in need of more prayer.

You are not wasting your time bro... sent you a little something to encourage you... where are you hosting now?
Thank you for your donation. That money gets banked until a need arrives or the next hosting bill comes in. I am currently hosting at GoDaddy.com. I like them as they are available 24/7 for tech support.

[MikeHolohan]

Thank you for your comment and your donation. That money gets banked until a need arrives or the next hosting bill comes in. I am currently hosting at GoDaddy.com. I like them as they are available 24/7 for tech support.

Soon I will be posting my statement of faith as well as the vision I have for this site. Then we can decide if my vision is in need of more prayer.

I can give you some free space on my server if you want... it will save the hosting fees...

[JustAsIAm]

I will consider that. Thank you.

[MikeHolohan]

I will consider that. Thank you.

I love GoDaddy for domain names and stuff but not for hosting, especially vbulletin...

BTW I have lots of sites... not just one... :biggrin:

[JustAsIAm]

pm me with your list of sites please. Also, who do you use for hosting?

[MikeHolohan]

pm me with your list of sites please. Also, who do you use for hosting?

I have a reseller account with hostgator...

[Searcher]

I had just joined Christian-Forum.net and hadn't even made a single post when I received a PM from the administrator of a different forum. I checked out the address and joined.

I was in conversation with one of that forum's members who told me about this forum, so I deceided to check this one out and as you can see I'm now a member.

I don't know if sending a PM to members of other forums would increase your members, but I think it's worth a shot. It couldn't hurt. The thing is, you have to be carefull as to who you might want to invite, as you might bring some disruptive types who could cause some hard feelings and possibly tear the forum apart.

[Alabaster]

I appreciate your comments. I may have lost a bit of focus on this one. I look at sites like Talkjesus.com and ChristianForums.com and wonder what I can add that will bring more people to our site. Their sites are very successful and I wonder what I am doing wrong.

What christianforums.com (and others which I shall not name) has in the way of bells and whistles--which are not as great as they were since their changeover--they DO NOT have very much wisdom in the way that they allow God to be denigrated and His people as well.

This place is superior to that and while it is still in its infancy, it has more Godly excellence and gives more glory to God than any of those sites combined!

You are doing a good thing here in providing a Godly place to come to, and so---God will send you the people you so desire!

BLESSINGS!:Peace: