bible-truths.com/forums

=> Testimonies / Prayer Requests / Fellowship => Topic started by: Dave in Tenn on April 29, 2018, 02:44:46 AM

Title: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on April 29, 2018, 02:44:46 AM
Do we want one?  If so, what do we want it to be?

There has been a brief discussion among the moderators.  From that, several things are clear.  The first of these is that a meeting is not going to happen without the work and support of the forum members.  None of us are in a position to plan and deliver a meeting.  If the membership wants one (or more than one), it's going to fall on YOU to make it happen.

What THIS guy can do is help shepard the discussion.  Whether or not it happens and what it "looks like" if it does is up to you, collectively .

I will return to this thread later with any other thoughts shared by the moderators, but for now answer that first question for me.  Does anybody want this to happen?
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: John from Kentucky on April 29, 2018, 05:48:48 AM
What would be the purpose of such a meeting?

I notice we have 150 current members.  A diverse group spread all over.  But a small, small select few.  Together with those who follow us, do we total the 7,000 who do not bow the knee to Baal?

Here we share fabulous spiritual wealth from God.  No other group on Earth has what we do. 

Our fellowship is with God and our power and wealth come from Him.  What would our physical meeting do?
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Wanda on April 30, 2018, 12:16:51 AM
It sounds great, but my traveling plans are on stand by at this time. I'm spending my days with my mamma, who's 88 and has dementia. I do hope others can pull something together though.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: wat on May 01, 2018, 12:10:27 AM
I wasn't able to make any of Ray's conferences, so I'd love a chance to meet some of you guys in person.

2John 1:12  Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

Only problem is I don't know what we'd do, except chat with one another, which is good enough for me.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Musterseed on May 01, 2018, 01:28:30 PM
Let’s all go to JFK’s house. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Rhys 🕊 on May 02, 2018, 11:40:03 AM
Seems a good thing to me to meet if you can. I meet with other groups and there is a point to them so how much more point to meet with those that believe these truths. If not to learn then just to be encouraged.

I always desire to know more of
God’s truth but the more you do the more the cost and the more darkness you see around me. Gives me a headache 🤕

If you can , then meet but could be difficult for me being in New Zealand 🇳🇿

We have the forum which is good to meet so why not in person if possible.

Rhys
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on May 06, 2018, 11:40:53 AM
I'll lay out my "version" of what I had in mind.  There's nothing original about it, as it is a mix of what has already been done with what Ray hoped might be done one day.

What:  A single meeting in a single geographic area/city with time devoted to general fellowship, listening/watching other conference materials (edited for flow), and perhaps a time of more focused fellowship/testimony.

Who:  Forum members and readers, and locally invited guests (drawn from advertising) who would ideally be the same kinds of people drawn to the website.

When and where:  Probably a one to one-and-a-half day event at a time/place to be determined.

How:  Put together by responding to input from likely attendees and others interested.

Why:  Primarily a time of fellowship, but with a purpose beyond that in opening things up to locals wherever the meeting occurs.

NONE OF THESE is written in stone.  It might well be easier in the long-run to plan several smaller meetings based on geography--either at the same time or at different dates.  I've found a way to map our members to put all interested into a group map that could be used for planning. 

It might be better to forgo the local outside invitations and advertising in order to focus more on fellowship.  That's not my 'druthers', but it might be better.

We are aware that drawing a crowd of similar size to the former conferences strictly from the forum and its readers is not at all likely to happen.  In some ways, however, this makes "planning" easier.  Of course, in other ways it makes it more difficult. 

Anyway, this is just a loose advance proposal with a few nails to either remove or hang some plans on.  What the Lord wills is what will happen, but a meeting (or meetings) will not just fall from the sky in a neat package.  If "we" want this, we need to plan on having it, as well as what happens if it does.

The only other thing I can think of at the moment is that forum rules apply to discussion.  Just as "outside teaching" is not allowed or promoted on the forum, bible-truths.com won't endorse any "meeting" that is "taught" by somebody other than Ray.

 
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on May 06, 2018, 12:00:15 PM
For my part, I can commit to not letting anything other than distance be the sole hindrance to attending anything.  I can drive in a day about 500 miles, but that puts everything from Chicago, to Western North Carolina, to most of the deep south, to Dallas, Houston, most of Oklahoma and the lower mid-west within reach.  Further than that, and I'd have to look into flying and airfare, but there are low-priced tickets to a lot of destinations available from either Memphis or Nashville.  I'm near Jackson, Tennessee.

But if that's not doable, then it simply isn't and I'll do my part "here" to help out. 
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on May 08, 2018, 05:35:56 AM
OK.  I set up a website where people can pin their locations.  Message me and I'll give you the link and username/password, or just tell me your location (public or by PM) and I'll enter it for you.  I don't need a street address, just a close-approximation to what you'd consider home in the world.  It's a world map, free to use up to 30 "pins" (and cheap thereafter if we go higher than that). 

Forget travel plans, meeting days, format, and other considerations.  All I want to know is if you are interested in meeting period.  This little tool is just to get some sense of interest by geography.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: seaofglass on May 08, 2018, 05:11:02 PM
Sure Anthony Northern New Jersey
aedesign57@aol.com

Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Musterseed on May 09, 2018, 10:18:50 AM
Pamela,,,,,,,,,,Kentville , Nova Scotia, Canada
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on May 09, 2018, 11:26:16 AM
This little map may do more than help plan a larger meeting.  Already there are two sets of two members in relatively close proximity (by American standards) who might find this info helpful.     
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: virginiabm on May 10, 2018, 10:04:09 AM
I stay in North Carolina 50 miles from Fort Bragg
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: seaofglass on May 10, 2018, 03:27:36 PM
I suggest media such as talkshoe or skype or such for weekly meetings as an open forum.  Then such plans as gathering in a physical location should God wants this.  I dont' think everyone is financially in such a financial position.  If a people come together and they are all of one spirit, the one and only Holy spiritual force, than who can be against them? I fear no bow down to any man nor can i be taken out of my Fathers hands.  In God's world there are no leaders nor followers, we are one and if one in spirit and true Sons of the Most High than there can only exist the most strongest weapon against any foe.....Love! So there no fear.

is the same spirit what worked in Ray in you?

SeaofGlass
aedesign57@aol.com
347 6457537
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: sansmile on May 10, 2018, 07:50:36 PM
Me, Sandie McFauld and my hubby David. Living in the Highlands of Scotland.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on May 11, 2018, 12:46:16 AM
The map now has 10 pins.  Soon enough, I'll make it "public" in the "who am I" section. 

NOTE:  NO STREET ADDRESS landed under the pin is accurate...not even mine.  These were assigned by the map site.  All are just rough guesstimates and our BT username is attached to them.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: egbasonic on May 11, 2018, 03:47:36 AM
any consideration for those who are in remote locations like myself am in Nigeria
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: yello62 on May 11, 2018, 11:44:22 AM
egbasonic, only if you bring along some jollof rice to the gathering.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: egbasonic on May 11, 2018, 12:00:33 PM
i will
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on May 12, 2018, 11:00:29 AM
Egbasonic, "we" don't know what will come of this effort, nor of any single person's ability or inability to directly participate.  I do know of some members/readers in Africa, though I'm not in direct contact with them.  I will do my best to try to have them make contact with you over the internet...then, what happens will be up to you and them just as this entire effort is up to the members.

I'm going to put your "pin" in Nigeria, and I can move it to a position closer to your actual location at a later time, if you want.

It's good to meet you.  Participate here as much as you're led to, and live with these truths in whatever setting the Lord means for you at present.  The more you do, the more you will have to share (both joys and sufferings) with others.  The more we mature, the more "Joys" and "Sufferings" are no longer always separate things.     
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: egbasonic on May 14, 2018, 08:13:25 AM
thanks bro Dave for your repond over my request
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Chris on May 15, 2018, 01:08:43 AM


I notice we have 150 current members.  A diverse group spread all over.  But a small, small select few. 


Wow, that just blows my mind

I understand we have a lot of guests on this board, but only 150 registered members from all around the world? Just amazing, I'm so thankful to be a part of this very little flock.

Peace

Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on May 29, 2018, 06:48:34 PM
https://bible-truths.com/forums/index.php/topic,17120.0.html

Here is a link to a notification about the promised members map.   
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Deblyn on June 03, 2018, 09:09:45 PM
Deblyn is in southern New Jersey.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on June 04, 2018, 09:44:21 PM
Thanks, Deblyn.  Got you pinned.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: jmineer on June 04, 2018, 10:28:57 PM
Joe M in Lake Cumberland area of KY.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on June 04, 2018, 11:17:46 PM
Thanks, Joe.  It's good to meet you.  Please take the time to introduce yourself on the forum and we hope to continue fellowship with like-minds on the forum.  I've got you pinned.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: DEJI on June 05, 2018, 04:49:26 PM
I live in Lagos, Nigeria.
I and egbasonic chat, he lives very far from me though.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on June 06, 2018, 12:11:20 AM
I've got you pinned, Deji.  Glad you guys could "meet" by chat. 
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: profetik777 on August 24, 2018, 11:43:41 AM
Joe from Philadelphia, PA! Thanks for putting this map together!
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Prune Soleiado on August 24, 2018, 07:02:56 PM
Michelle, nearby Paris, France 🇫🇷
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on August 24, 2018, 11:52:04 PM
Got you both pinned by your usernames.  Joe, you're in a small cluster up there.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: profetik777 on September 15, 2018, 06:10:04 PM
Awesome. I wouldn't mind hosting a gathering when u think the time is right. Exciting.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: robby.morales on December 31, 2018, 11:06:27 AM
Dave:

Thanks for suggesting this. I've been off the grid lately so I just saw this. Curious if a gathering was ever attempted? If not, I've pinned my location in Kansas City, MO.  Happy New Year! -Robert
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on December 31, 2018, 08:59:29 PM
Dave:

Thanks for suggesting this. I've been off the grid lately so I just saw this. Curious if a gathering was ever attempted? If not, I've pinned my location in Kansas City, MO.  Happy New Year! -Robert

There may have been some movement behind the scenes among members in close proximity, but nothing larger scale that I'm aware of. 

I should remind all that the moderators are NOT taking on the responsibility of delivering a meeting.
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: robby.morales on January 10, 2019, 07:33:03 PM
Thanks again. I appreciate your candor. :-)
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: indianabob on June 17, 2019, 02:26:04 PM
DAve,
Interesting idea for fellowship and learning.

I'm Indiana Bob at Plymouth, Indiana 46563
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: robby.morales on July 06, 2020, 01:27:11 PM
Curious if any additional traction has been gained for the idea of in-person fellowship?
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: larrylynndavis on December 15, 2023, 11:47:09 AM
I just got on the forum again after being off a while.  Currently I live in Arizona and would love to fellowship with others on this forum. I am planning to visit my uncle, who lives in Northen Alabama.  I think the core group is around there , but I am not sure. :)
Title: Re: A possible BT gathering.
Post by: Dave in Tenn on December 15, 2023, 04:30:28 PM
I just got on the forum again after being off a while.  Currently I live in Arizona and would love to fellowship with others on this forum. I am planning to visit my uncle, who lives in Northen Alabama.  I think the core group is around there , but I am not sure. :)

If anything, the "core group" is even more scattered than before, but southern Alabama (Mobile) was where Ray and Dennis lived, among a few others. 

I still have no immediate plans.  Last time I looked at the map, it seemed like Kentucky was the most central place...like Louisville or Lexington.  People have come and gone since, though, so the "center" may be elsewhere by now.  There is nothing stopping anybody from attempts at in-person fellowship, large scale or small.  The map is just a handy visual.