A big question to ask is, would anyone use this? Who is the audience for a this?

I'm not for or against this. Something like this would be good if there were people who would take advantage of it. I'd start by finding out who thinks it's a good idea and who would even use it. Those are two separate categories.

Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.innovatingtomorrow.net
www.mattfarina.com

I dont even know if anyone would use it. The ones I would think might use it are maybe students in his greek class, the weekly exegesis class maybe or maybe people from other parts of the world who listen online. Not really sure.
Ill have to give it some thought and run it by him

I am actually looking for someone to talk to right now. I think it is a wonderful idea. Sometimes people are going thru things in their life and it is easier to ask the questions if you are not right in front of the person.

Chat is one possibility, although it locks the pastor and the audience into a specific time period every week. A forum would allow both to interact at will, the pastor(s) would be able to research answers more easily, and the discussions would be archived for others to reference. One is not inherently better than the other, but this is certainly an area of underserved need. Great idea! -NP

I have been praying about this for a while and talking with others and I definitely am going to go through with an idea just like this. Except I want it to be where Christians will be able to log on and talk to non-Christians and help answers questions, no necessarily pastors. They could also be available for prayer. I already have the framework in my head as well as some software to help facilitate the chat conversations (More like the life chat support you get from online stores). People can log in whenever they want and just wait for someone to pop online to chat. I am going to need help so if anyone is interested let me know!

Travis
Travisuk@Gmail.com

I think this is more one-to-one chat, but needHim.org has live chat (or email contact when they're not on). They also have a toll-free 24x7 number and online gospel messages for various groups (teens, 20 something, kids, men, women, and a Spanish version).
Probably not consistent with the original online pastor thread.

One of the things I see is a huge hole is what people need. There is definitely a group of people something like needhim.org will reach. But, I think there is a larger group of people that it wont help.

Take America where about 1/3 of the population isn't Christan and many of those have never really been exposed to Christianity. In the other 2/3 of the population that claims to be Christian many don't know the basics and are exploring things in other places first. What's the churches response. I'm not talking about the response of the organized pastors and church leaders but the everyday people? Who can both of these groups help the huge group that needhim.org can't hit? I don't see the preparation or even many thoughts on how to reach those people. So, there are some definite gaps that could use to be filled in.

Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.innovatingtomorrow.net
www.mattfarina.com

I thought about your point, Matt, and you're right.
Everyday people are in everyday places, both those who are not all that actively seeking and those of us who are semi-actively being salt and light. There are subtle ways in face-to-face to identify my faith to friends and acquaintances, and that can lead to interesting conversations.
An electronic equivalent? Maybe a shared identifier for us normal-work-a-day types to quickly identify ourselves in normal sites, without changing our entries in those sites (too much)? Microformats with links to the proposed chat? An electronic ixthus/fish with link? Not necessarily intended as code language to sell ourselves to each other, but to invite others in...

Hi there

Im abit confused and need advice.. According to what i read about unmarried/engaged couples living together. I know this is wrong in the eyes of God. Im in the uk and we are both Christians and never had sex in the 5years we been together . we believe in keeping ourselves for when we get married. Im in the uk and she is south african. Ive got my own place and due to financial difficulties she has to come and stay by me. No ive asked everywhere and many say this is wrong and sinful. My own father even said ill have to leave church for it is sin. So where in the bible dopes it say that unmarried poeple shouldnt live together .. They all just give scriptures but still it contradicts what im seeking. But I mean God knows ones heart and not people. We mean only good of stayin together until we get married in 4 months time.. Can anyone give me advice

There is something that I would like you to consider,,,There are two laws that collide here..The Law of Man and the law of God. What is a marriage under Mas Law other than a written document that states the same along with a public proclamation when we wear each others ring. Where under Gods Law it's between you her and God himself. As Far as i'm concerned you are married already...But there are benefits for you and for her if Mans Law is included..I too have a similar question but I really need a pastor for this one..Yes ,,this is only my opinion and would not purposely lead you astray

I think there's a difference between living together and sleeping together, as the former wouldn't be a problem, but the latter could be. Speaking as one who lived with and slept with my husband before we got married despite my being a longtime Christian (Stephen was a bit backslidden so he certainly wasn't worrying), I think you need to be very careful. The obvious danger is in the relationship breaking down before marriage occurs, as then you certainly are in sin because you have given yourself spiritually to another person with whom you are then no longer with, and God has shown that that isn't what He desires for His people, because of the multitude of inherent dangers and problems incurred. I know at the time I did it, I did a very good job of ignoring my conscience, and while I know God forgave me afterwards when I eventually recognised my sin and repented, I could see that if things had turned out differently I would have put myself in a dire position emotionally and spiritually.

If you could somehow be disciplined enough to live together and maintain separation in your relationship, then perhaps it would be okay, but there are very few guys in particular who're strong enough to resist temptation when put before them constantly in the way this situation would do for you.

This is something that you really do need to pray long and hard about and try to really hear the Lord on - if you are submitted to Him, He will make a way where there appears to be no way, and a way that won't cause you to sin against him. :)

PS - I'm in Belfast :))

the issue with the living together idea is that it seems fine now. but what about the temptation? will you be able to abstain? truly? where is your heart? if you are able to hold back but think nonstop about it, then are you not sinning in your heart? yes it is a difficult and sensitive subject, but i think that as Christians, we need to be over cautious. when we start to make excuses and go out of our way to defend ourselves, we are hiding or covering up a problem.

I want the plan to plant achurch to the muslms plas

Why am i seeing a glowing cross when i am saying my prayers? This cross appears during prayer and comes out from behind of jesus picture?

I have a much younger naive girlfriend, she is also a very strong believer, she has been my guiding light since we met and we can talk about anything and are extremely close. my problem was that I touched/kissed her in an inapproriate place (body not place) this worried her somewhat and felt guilty when it should have been me that should have been me,, we plan to get married later this year and have slept together although no 'sexual activities' took place,,, is this morally/legally wrong ???

Sorry folks, but I need to close comments on this thread.

This topic is about how to implement an "ask the pastor" feature on your church website, but we're starting to get people asking "ask the pastor" type questions here. Those could go in the "Less Geek, More God" forum, but really those questions are out of scope for this forum.

Micah