Prayer Board Requests - Thinking of closing the private messaging

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Thinking of closing the private messaging
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Posted by: JG

I have been praying about
closing down the private messageing part of this board.

I have been watching how much time people are spending sending private messages back and forth and not praying.

That part of the board is almost as big as the board itself.

Tell me what do you think?

This is not in concret tell me what you think.

Should I close it or not.

Jerry

Posted by: talena

I dont know...

I get many personal prayer requests through PM's. BUT, if it is being abused then maybe that is wisdom.

Maybe it should be changed to where only members that have made at least 200 posts are allowed to PM. I know other sites that do that. In order to receive the benefits of being a member...you have to actually be a member and dedicate time to the site. This could eliminate a few problems.

Posted by: talena

At least you know if they have made a couple hundred posts you will know they are serious about prayer.

Posted by: Ragamuffin

My feeling on the private messages is that they are necessary, I know that I myself, feel the need to ask certain questions or request prayer that I would prefer to remain private. People are getting to know people and exchanging info that we would prefer not to be out there for everyone to see (like personal email addresses).
However, if you are feeling it is abused and more time is being spent there than prayer, then absolutely, the focus needs to be on God.
I need to say though, honestly, that this is a pretty big issue. Private messaging, when used in its proper mode, is very good. but good things get abused, and just taking them away doesn't make the problem itself go away. Perhaps just emailing would be okay, it goes through you, Jerry, and our email addresses remain private, but then the option to accept emails needs to be addressed, and in private messaging it doesn't. Another issue, though this puts me on the side of doing away with private messaging, is that I've received a couple of odd private messages that have played with my head for a bit and took some time to get together again. Knowing that that kind of thing is possible is upsetting. But then back on the side of private messaging, I've been able to turn to those on this board with whom I have a rapport and feel God through the prayers they post, and ask them for help discerning.
so, hey, is this any help? I just wrote out my opinion.

Posted by: needing

If you make a decision about closing that part of the board then I think you should do it, but please don't let a few bad apples make you close it for the rest of us, the only time I use that part of the board is when I think a prayer should be private and that is why it is called a private message, but I can promise most if not all of my posts will be public not private, this is a very good site, my registara of the school I attend, he knows that I go to sites and he would rather I visit a site like yours, I'm enrolled in a christain program and this is one of the sites that is alright to visit while online.

Thank you very much jerry, I love the site and visit it anytime I am online.
thank you
needing

Posted by: jedijeb

Good, Bad, I cant give a good answer at the moment, I need to pray about it more. I can say though that I really enjoy the little personal notes from people that say things like " thanks for your prayer", it is really encouraging and gives it a personal touch. There is the ability for abuse for certain and I dont know yet how to balance the good and bad to give a just opinion but I will pray about it.

Posted by: MiSHa

I use the PM primarily to get hold of web admin so as not to flood his email inbox, but I agree that this needs to be put to prayer and if found to be abused should be closed.

God, grant wisdom where we lack it and lead us in the direction YOU would have us to go! Thank You, God. In Jesus' Name... amen.

Posted by: gwenith21

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiSHa

I use the PM primarily to get hold of web admin so as not to flood his email inbox, but I agree that this needs to be put to prayer and if found to be abused should be closed.

God, grant wisdom where we lack it and lead us in the direction YOU would have us to go! Thank You, God. In Jesus' Name... amen.

__________________________________________________ ____

I personally enjpy the option, and would be sad to see them go

But maybe thats selfish of me?, I would prefer not to give out my email address with all the spam problems it would be difficult, I would probably accidentally erase emails, or they would be sent to my bulk mail folder.

Father God, Thanks for this site, and all the Christian Soldiers here who love you and take time out of there busy schedules to pray for there borthers and sisters. I ask you today to give wisdom to all those involved with making decisions regarding the messaging problems. You are a loving Father, and we trust you to guide hearts in the direction you would have. Jesus name I pray today, Amen

Posted by: cgirl

Yeah, I don't think we need private messaging. I mean you can click on the 'send them an email' button and they can send the private message that way. Also the chat room. When I get there, there is mostly gossip going on. I've seen posts where people use the chatroom for prayer, but not when I get there, there is no prayer whatsoever.

Posted by: JG

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedijeb

Good, Bad, I cant give a good answer at the moment, I need to pray about it more. I can say though that I really enjoy the little personal notes from people that say things like " thanks for your prayer", it is really encouraging and gives it a personal touch. There is the ability for abuse for certain and I dont know yet how to balance the good and bad to give a just opinion but I will pray about it.

Help me out here.
What is the difference in the thank you being done on the board
where everyone can learn a little kindness
and see the family side of the board.
When everyone can see what the Lord is doing.
When done in a private messageno one sees the testimoney of the blessing.
No one sees the impact of what the Lord is doing here.
The private message section has almost as many post as the board.

I could also limit the private message to certain leaders who need to communicat with someone.

Jerry

Posted by: JG

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgirl

Yeah, I don't think we need private messaging. I mean you can click on the 'send them an email' button and they can send the private message that way. Also the chat room. When I get there, there is mostly gossip going on. I've seen posts where people use the chatroom for prayer, but not when I get there, there is no prayer whatsoever.

No I really don't like doing that.
Because there are some not so nice people out there.
This board is for the lost to come.
Sometimes the lost are not good people until they find Jesus
I have got many emalis from people who said they wish they never gave their email out to that stranger.
That is why we make you register to protect you.

Jerry

Posted by: JeriRose12

I was happy about private messages because it helped me get the money for my glasses, without sharing personal info on the board. That is an instance where God performed a miracle through it. I am wearing the glasses now, as I type. Also, the same person who helped me get the glasses, arranged for us to call each other (we shared phone numbers privately) so we could pray further for things on line. I assure you, we DID pray when we called, not just chat. We prayed for our main thread need but also many other needs off here and some personal needs. It has been a true blessing to use PMs in those two instances. We called more than once and prayed.

Most of the PMs I receive are thankyous or "Can you give me further info?" (on the situation we are praying about). One or two have been prayer requests because they felt I would be a good person to pray for their need. Most are not just conversational. The ones I have sent and received are extensions of our prayer posts--except when Clarke and I were arranging for me to get money for the glasses. Often, I don't PM someone unless they PM me. Usually if I do, I feel I can speak further into a situation and I don't want to post what I have to say publicly. Once, it was to encourage someone who I really felt the need to encourage and I wanted to send a personal note to say I was still praying for his situaiton. I also PM to ask how the situaiton is going, if I don't see them posting an update.

If you do close it down, it will be hard to get people's emails who don't put them on their profile or to exchange a phone number if we do want to call. Still, I have had them in my box a few days without even realzing it. It's not the first place I go. The new box that brings them up when I come on line is helpful in alerting me I have received one.

I will pray God tells you what to do. I can not tell you yea or nay, because it is your site. You have a better idea how many are abusing it's use and not praying. I just shared the posotive ways I have seen it used, as their really has been nothing negative in my experience.

Anyway, hope this isnt' too long....

~JeriRose~

Posted by: JeriRose12

I hope you can get into the chat room with Talena and I sometime, cgirl. We DO pray. Sometimes, we chat, too, and have fun (after all, it's called the "chat room"), but we have prayed some long sessions.

And if the PM section has as many posts as the prayer board, something's wrong....

I wonder if people are using it as a means of correspondance? Like a safe place to write letters to each other?

~JeriRose~

Posted by: Ragamuffin

Jerry, I have been thinking about your question all day. I understand bad things happen at times, but not every time. What about those of us that want to do good for another and not give out private information? What about wanting to do good when nobody knows that's what we are doing? What about needing and having difficulty admitting we are needing so much and someone out there has a personal experience that they share and it touches the heart of the matter. The blessings should be posted, and I have read many, but private messaging gives us the abilitty to not let the right hand know what the left hand is doing, in the biblical sense of that verse. I've been in the chat room twice, the first time there was solely prayer going on, the second time, I asked for someone's testimony, and was blessed by it. No it wasn't "praying", but the glory was all God's.
I will trust you in your decision, and I believe you have certainly given us all something to think about, and perhaps realize the priviledge we have of private messaging and the responsibility to not abuse it.
blessings to you, Jerry

Posted by: JeriRose12

I was really wishing to PM you after your message to me, but I was told the email would not go through and also your box was full so I could not PM you. So I vote, YES!!!, keep private messages. I have had the same experience as ragamuffin--not wanting the left hand to know what the right hand was doing. Nothing bad, just feeling God would be more honored if the whole board did not know.

Still, let's pray, and God will direct you.

I like Talena's idea: those who are responsible should have the rights to use Private Messages. Right now it says I have 70. And that's since registration in March? of 2002.

Posted by: JeriRose12

Whoops! Sorry! I registered in February of 2003. But 70 deosn't seem like a lot.

~JeriRose~

Posted by: cgirl

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG

The button is already there. In the profile section. There's one button that says send so&so a private message, and the other button that says send so&so an email.

http://www.annointed.net/Community/...stposter&t=5965

Posted by: HisPrincess

Jerry,

PLEASE do NOT close the private messages. PM's are sometimes are the only way someone can whisper a prayer when something needs to be said. PM's are also a safe way to communicate with one another without overstepping boundaries of privacy. I know that whenever someone sends me a PM, I get an email to check the PM. Information that I would never give in public is safe in PM. I voted for "very bad idea" because I think that it would take away from some of the intimacy involved in caring for our Brothers and Sisters in prayer. Also, putting a quota on the amount of posts made places people in competion. You certainly don't want people posting in vain just to reach the quota needed for PM privileges. I was on a board once that had that and I felt like I had to comment about everything just to reach the quota needed to get access and the password for a Bible Study. It really hurt me that I was left out because I didn't want to leave meaningless messages on the board for the sake of a quota.

A suggestion to an alternative: Set up a link where people can report abuses to the PM's. Even Christians can get a little "stalk-y". If a member feels that they are being overwhelmed by things not involved in the ministry, they can report the sender. Then, the administrator can send a message in love asking for the sender to stop. If the sender does not stop, then privileges or access to the site can be denied either temporarily or permanently.

HisPrincess

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG

I have been praying about
closing down the private messageing part of this board.

I have been watching how much time people are spending sending private messages back and forth and not praying.

That part of the board is almost as big as the board itself.

Tell me what do you think?

This is not in concret tell me what you think.

Should I close it or not.

Jerry

Posted by: JG

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeriRose12

I was really wishing to PM you after your message to me, but I was told the email would not go through and also your box was full so I could not PM you. So I vote, YES!!!, keep private messages. I have had the same.

That is one of the reasons why I want to restrict it.
I can get thousands of messages a day.
My wife is going through 1700 right now just to say thank you.

Send me an email
or you could always click the contact button and I will get it.

Thank you for caring
Jerry

Posted by: HisPrincess

1,700!!! Thats hayday even for a data entry clerk! God love your wife!

HisPrincess

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG

Posted by: gwenith21

Perhaps you could close PM to administrators and leave them open to other registered users? Just a thought. Thanks for all the time you put into this site. It is a blessing to many!
HOlly

Posted by: cgirl

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeriRose12

I hope you can get into the chat room with Talena and I sometime, cgirl. We DO pray. Sometimes, we chat, too, and have fun (after all, it's called the "chat room"), but we have prayed some long sessions.

And if the PM section has as many posts as the prayer board, something's wrong....

I wonder if people are using it as a means of correspondance? Like a safe place to write letters to each other?

~JeriRose~

I ya wanna reach me Jeri you can do it through private messaging, lol!

Posted by: JeriRose12

I better not PM you, cgirl. But, hey, I might get my computer going at home soon, then I will be in the chat room trying to pray. Some people come in and goof around or distract. And sometimes we just chat a little to explain situaitons to pray about. But sometimes we just chat to fellowship. All in all, I haven't had gossip when I'm in. We're just trying to tell each other about ourselves and our situations.

My brother might be fixing my modem for me this weekend, then I can be fully back on line. Pray that happens. Then, I might PM you about a time we can go in the chat room and pray. If PMs aren't shut down
by then....

(Just a note, the "email" button doesn't work on most profiles, because a message comes up saying that this person does not want to be emailed.)

Anyway, I like PMs and don't use them a bunch. And I will pray for Jerry to make the right choice.

~JeriRose~

Posted by: akabezalel

Sorry Jerry, I just sent you a PM before reading this thread. I should have realized that everyone would try to PM you and sent an E mail instead. Please accept my apology.

As far as the PM's go, I think they should be kept for many reasons, mainly, I don't always want something on the board but I would like prayer, get information or pray for someone in a quiet way without using the message boards and loading them up.

I always delete my PM's after reading or responding, if I want to keep one I copy it to a Word file, maybe the membership should delete some of their PM's that they no longer need or want in order to free up some space.

Just my 2 cents.

Posted by: bransons

Of course that's just my opinion. I am new here and I do mean new, today is my first time here and I have already found the PM to be a blessing.

Think about this. Someone feels particularly bleseed or touched by what someone else said and wants to thank them. Do you really want the message thread cluttered up with short posts saying "thank you", "you're welcome" etc.. ?
Although this is an extreme example, I have been on message boards where a 10+ page post with over a hundred messages actually had maybe 3 pages of posts pertinant to the topic and the rest were little short messages between individuals.
Another thing to think about, someone in thier reply to a post says something that someone else feels was maybe a bit "out-of-line". The ensuing discussion between those two SHOULD be a private matter, at least that's what Scripture tells me. PM allows this to occur.

As I said that is all just my opinion, given only because you did ask

As others have said, let the Lord be your guide, if you feel that He is moving you to close it then follow His guidance. You can always open it up again later. Of course the option of of closing it at a later date is still always open also.

Posted by: zebulon

as a newcomer to the board - i think they're a useful added means of communication.

Posted by: Pickle

I would say keep them. Sometimes I PM people to ask a certain question or request prayer for a situation that I don't necessarily want up for the whole board. Sometimes it is also just to say, "Hey, I'm thinking about you," or want to give a person encouragement specifically. I think PM's can be a blessing. Additionally, there are times when I am interested in a certain person's opinion about something because I trust that person and don't need for my question to be public. I have had some responses from people when I have posted threads that have been unhelpful and sometimes hurtful or not encouraging, so I might ask of specific people because I know I will get a straight answer from them, but I guess that sort of thing can easily be done through email, too.

For some people, this is one of the only places where they can come and feel encouraged. I think if you close down the PMs and the chat room it would actually be hurting people, and I believe the board would be less effective. This is just my two-cents worth, though.

Posted by: Rachel R

Since this is your ministry that God put in your heart I think he will give you a clear message on how to handle this.

Remember: We live by faith and not fear.

Lord, I thank you so much for Jerry and this ministry. It means so much to me.

Lord, I ask you to give Jerry a decisive answer on how to handle this question.

Thanks, Jerry for your faithfulness in all this.

Posted by: carpenter

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG

"Suffer unto me the little children"

Posted by: JeriRose12

I just wanted to apologize to anyone who Private Messaged me and never heard back. I am kind of Private Message illierate. People ask me how to get in the chat room...but I have a hard time opening PMs. I was just over clearing out my inbox, because I realized when it says "You've got mail," it must mean someone just sent me a PM. I thought that voice was telling me I got an email in my outlook express inbox. But when I checked there, I had no unread messages. Then, it hit me

: I had anointed.net mail. So I went over there to check on it and opened a mass of PMs. Or am I still being illiterate, because none of them had todays date? I don't know....

Maybe someone could answer that question for me. When it says "You've got mail," does that mean someone sent me a PM?

Anyway, sorry if you PMed me and thought I did not care about you. I just.....get so busy posting, then can not figure out how to open that section (or actually there are two different spots I can retreav PMs, which makes it more confusing). The PMs in one section are different then the PMs in another.....So, I ususally only open the ones that I get emailed about, because that I understand. Now, I think I figured out how to get into the big PM box.

Anyway, SORRY if you did not hear back from me!!!

~JeriRose~

Posted by: talena

I guess the best way to decide whether to close it down or not is to do a test on worldliness. If the PM's or chat are too "worldy", then maybe they should go.

How to test based on scriptures (ask these questions):

Is it "of the World"? (John 15:19)
Is it to the glory of God? (1 Cor 10:31)
Can God's blessing be on it? (Prov 10:22)
Is it an offense to others? (Romans 14:21)
Has it the appearance of evil? (1 Thess 5:22)
Is it a "besetting sin"? (Heb 12:1)
Has it a wholesome atmosphere? (II Cor 6:14)

If the answers that you come up with are anything that contradicts God's Word, then by all means get rid of it. I will be more than happy to back you up if you find that these things fall into the category of "wordly" as opposed to "Godly".

Hope this helps!
Talena

Posted by: pinkfrosting

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG

Jerry,

As to what you said above, whats the difference, well no much, but sometimes people might have something personal that they want prayer for that they dont want others to see. But mainly, im afraid that if you close the PM, the prayer boards might start to turn into disscussion boards. Think about if. If people start posting their thatnk yous and comments to others on the prayer boards, it might just turn into a whole lot of chat.

Posted by: pickone

Private, not private......I push the wrong buttons anyway, so whatever you decide.

Posted by: dwn_trdn_up_looking

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG

Reading thru all these posts is a goodness to this new one....much family sharing is encouraged by JG....pray is #one.....caring about prayer requests is deeply tended to by the active with love for Father God's Shepherding heart....freedom to give out ideas is welcome...reverence for authority and leadership is alive on this website....i am glad to have found this website....God bless all of you for giving out WHO HE is

Posted by: JG

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwn_trdn_up_looking

Thank you for the kind words I needed that today.
Your Friend and Prayer Partner
Jerry

Posted by: JesusSweetJesus

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG

I know and believe that it is Brother Jerry's goal to have those of us who can offer prayer be able to cover what his prayer ministry can not get to. I have to admit, it is hard for me to turn away when there is a prayer that needs asap attention. I feel it is a good idea Brother Jerry. Thank you for considering us in your decision. May God continue to bless you always, and your family. I will try to help in whatever way God allows me to help with your ministry.

JesusSweetJesus.

Posted by: babam

I really enjoy pm because it can mean a break between prayers. I can do fellowship with other Christians without communicating it to the world. I can ask for further details for prayers. I can pick up on something someone said and ask about it. I can encourage, share and have a nice time with new friends. Is that so bad?

Posted by: quickdraw

Someone has closed down my PM anyway!! I just keep getting messages in my email telling me that someone has tried to send me a PM and the inbox is full! THERE'S NOTHING IN THERE!

I have sent some pm's to shawn and you JG and have received NO REPLIES! I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING!!

PLEASE HELP!!

Forever His,
Sharon

Posted by: bbwings

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG

I want to tell you about my personal experience with private message and how it has been a great gift from God. Two of your members, has been a special blessing. One has been able to pray in private and discuss things that we prefer not to disclose to the world. This person has received a special gift from God to enlighten me and let me know that he is going to answer my prayer. Through this member, the Lord speaks to me. Because we use private message does not mean we are not praying for each other, what it does is strenghten our relationships with each other. You get closer talking one on one than speaking to a group. Both have there own benefits and place on this site. And I hope that you will realize the Lord speaks to people in many ways. Removing a communication between members isn't a good thing. We need to provide as many ways for Christs people to unite, pray, and be of support as we can. The other member is a im with a browers service, who keeps me in good spirits and prays with me. This sites builds bonds in Christ, where you can provide comfort and provide needs missing in our lives. I love this site, this family and Thank God for it.

Posted by: OPHELIA6241

I think that the private messages are good. But they should be liminted to ,those that use the prayer post atlest one hundred times.also we should pray about it. GodBless Ophelia