C.A.A Reaching Out

[Zarn Ishtare]

Ok, ok, I know this a topic which if handled wrong will get flamed and then locked, but this is somthing I've been really thinking about. What is C.A.A, as an alliance of believers, doing to improve or reach out to our world? I know we have alot of cool stuff here, such as the Anime Review Database, but even those are only for people who come to this site. I spoke with Ashley-Sama and Shatterheart-Sama about it, a long time ago, but they both said that they had tried doing things of that nature and had little or no sucsess with it. Therefore, they are wary (and rightfully so) of any reaching out attempts or anything of that nature, although I believe they would follow through with a plan if a solid and intelligent idea was brought before them. SO....Start brainstorming! I'd like this not to degenerate into a thread that will be sent to Goof Off, but will contribute to an outreach program which will have an effect on our online and offline world.



To the Admins: If I said somthing rude or insulting in this statement, please forgive me. It was not intended. Also, will you please keep an eye on this thread? This has the seed of a flame thread in it, and if that happens I'd like it locked before it goes too far. Hopefully this will generate a discussion which will give us all (including you staffer-people) some ideas on how we can use our membership and affiliation to CAA in positive, Christ-Like ways. If we can't...well, I'd rather not think on that possiblity.

In Christ,

Zarn

[JediSonic]

What do you mean? Advertising?

[cbwing0]

Concerning outreach, I think the most important thing is to be a good witness in your everyday life, spreading the gospel when the opportunity arises. If you can't do that, then a bigger effort is pointless. Before we ask what the community (which is made up of individuals) is doing in terms of outreach, we should always ask what we ourselves are doing to reach out, and encourage others to spread the gospel along with us.

For larger, organized outreach there are several options. We could contact other secular anime sites to see if they would be interested in working together; then again, wouldn't it be better if you personally went to such a site, built relationships, and then witnessed to people that would simply avoid a larger evangelistic effort?

Alternatively, if other anime sites have review sections, then we could request permission to post the Christian-oriented reviews that already exist on this site. That would be a simple and effective way of spreading the word about the CAA, which would in turn open up doors to share the gospel.

Another possibility that you, Zarn, are in a unique position to exploit is to attempt to establish chapters of the Knights of CAA on others sites. These people could familiarize themselves with other sites, help out new members, and share the gospel with them. Such activity would further the mission of the Knights, the CAA, and Christ all at once.

Although the first part of this post is somewhat critical of your approach, it is not intended as a flame, and I hope that you will not take it as such. It is simply constructive criticism and a reminder that it is far more important to go out in our everyday lives and witness as individuals.

[Zilch]

Well...

I believe CAA to be a haven for Christian anime lovers. It's a spot where they can relax and be with like-interested people.

I don't believe the founder wanted this place to be an outreach to the sinner. To provide an example for sinners, yes. But an outreach? I don't believe so.

When a church holds a retreat for their youth, and they go someplace cool, hang out, and come closer to God while being with each other. Because these people don't witness while on this trip, does that make them not want to reach the lost? No. It's a place of refreshing. That's what I see CAA as. An oasis in a dry, dusty Internet.

[Ashley]

As Cbwing stated, I think being an excellent example is by far the best approach. Our lives and our actions are the best evangelizing tools we have. A big problem with sending online missionaries out, if you will, is that it makes us look like we're only concerned with numbers: how many believers we've brought in, how many unbelievers, how many converts, how many sites. We're not about that. I would personally feel pretty hurt if I thought someone was just trying to make me a christian so they could rack up points with their friends on some site. It makes unbelievers into a stepping stone to some spiritual rank rather than hurting people we're called to love. And that's my biggest reason for not supporting something like this--I want to see all of us reach out in love to others, belivers or non, and either encourage them in their walk or lead them to one as friends, not as pagans to be converted. To build a relationship with someone and grow together is much slower, yes, and sometimes not nearly as fruitful, but much more important than just broadcast evangelizing, at least in context of this site. And yes, you have to be careful about your friendships in the world, and it's a balance we all have to strike: you don't want to totally withdrawl yourself into a Christian shell surrounded by only Christians, but nor do you want to totally abandon yourself to worldly friends and lose touch with the Lord. But I do think it's a great place to start.

far as the outreach-vs-oasis thing goes, frankly yes we started as a sort of clique for Christians who like anime. But I want us to act on that, and yes that does mean some outreach projects, like the Pilgrim's Progress manga and Kaldris and such. So I'm not saying it's not important, I just don't think that should be our primary goal.

[termyt]

My two hundreths of a double dollar:

I think we are a community, not an organization. As a community, we should be focused on the things communities do - aka being good citizens. That means supporting and edifying and teaching and learn from those around us. That's the most affective way that a community like us can help build the kingdom.

That's not to say that we shouldn't reach out - we are all called to preach the gospel, but don't under estimate the power or the need to have a place where we can also be fed. That helps us all on the "outside" in our daily lives.

Oh - I also like the idea of openning Knight guilds on other places. That could be a great thing.

[Zarn Ishtare]

I like that idea too, and I'm thinking of emplementing it somwhere...As for what everyone said about this being a community...I just can't look at all the numbers of people here and all the talented people and not think of what could be done if we worked together on an outreach that could affect alot of others. Sigh...but I have no authority over that, and since the admins hve in their wisdom not done any such thing, I will merely have to use myself and the Knights if I want to do an outreach program.

[termyt]

Nothing saying that we as community members can't get together and do just that. I just don't think that it needs to be (or even should be) officially sanctioned by the CAA staff.

[Zarn Ishtare]

you should steal Old Phils avatar, my friend. your cutesy avatar belays an intelligent mind.

[Xavier249]

Hmm . . some good ideas, but I think just our presence and willingness to talk about anime in a good light is proof enough for some.

[termyt]

you should steal Old Phils avatar, my friend. your cutesy avatar belays an intelligent mind.

Thanks - but don't spread that around - you'll ruin my street-cred.

It's always the cute one you've got to be careful about!

I was afraid one my earlier posts may have discauraged you from doing something on your own. I'm glad it didn't (just read your new thread)

[Morluna]

Well...

I believe CAA to be a haven for Christian anime lovers. It's a spot where they can relax and be with like-interested people.

I don't believe the founder wanted this place to be an outreach to the sinner. To provide an example for sinners, yes. But an outreach? I don't believe so.

When a church holds a retreat for their youth, and they go someplace cool, hang out, and come closer to God while being with each other. Because these people don't witness while on this trip, does that make them not want to reach the lost? No. It's a place of refreshing. That's what I see CAA as. An oasis in a dry, dusty Internet.

agreed. i don't really see this to be a place of witnessing so much as a place to commune with fellow Christians.

[Lehn]

i don't really see this to be a place of witnessing so much as a place to commune with fellow Christians.

Yeah, I kinda find it hard to see a non-Christian just waltzing in here and becoming a active, long-term untrolling member. Not saying it couldn't ever happen, but the chances are slim to none.

As far as reaching out is concerned, we could always share information about world-wide charity events, like World Vision's 30-Hour Famine (http://www.30hourfamine.org/) and take that information and implement them in our own communities. But, I'm the kind-of-girl who adores doing charity work and helping others just for the warm fuzzy feelings, so I can't speak for everyone.

[RoyalWing]

I'm not really sure what you mean, but I'll try to answer the question the way I understood it.

I think CAA is reaching to people, well, like me. When I came to this website I kind of believed but didn't in way. I had alot of questions to ask (well.. I kind of still do) and I think I was living the wrong way. I started talking to person(s) who where more experienced in their belief than I was. I got stronger because of them and I think I get stronger every day by meeting new people, talking to others and reading intelligent discussion. So I think, CAA is a great community that you can come to for help and strenghth! Maybe the word for it is "Growth"!

Like the other ones mentioned, it's a great place to share things in common. I don't know any one besides the people on this website, that love Jesus and like to input Him into conversations of every day life (cartoon, movies, etc...). People here do not seperate God and entertainment. They try to put Him in everything they do! For me, this is very inspiring to see and I want to do just like them. The discussion is very good because even if every one has very different tastes, they are still nice to you and you start to see in their point of view as well. There is great respect here.

I think I will stop here just in case, I missed the subject completely~

[Archan]

Hum, interesting.

Well, the thing about an outreach program is that it's not really something that can be utilized fully on the internet because there is one key factor missing, human to human contact. People might think that human contact isn't that important when it comes to sensitive matters, but I really do think it does. There is just something about the experience of physically meeting someone and therefore (For us fellow Christians) home in on their spiritual vibe so to speak. That is probably a main key thing for a successful outreach program of anytype, and it's also something which isnt' really possible over the medium of the Web.

The only reason I say this is because I try to imagine how my youth group or any other christian club here at college might perform if we could only contact through typing. The harsh truth is it wouldn't nearly be as efficient.

I can sense your fustration Zarn, and God knows I can relate, but if it's a true blue outreach program your interested in starting, I'm afraid that online it isn't looking too possible.

This doesn't mean however there isn't other solutions. Our site is very unique, in fact from what I've checked lately this group is probably thee largest for Christian Anime to date. The only real way to fully reach out to people is through the medium that brought is all together, anime. Now, producing a fully animated cartoon over the internet is impossible, trust me. However, Manga can partially be completed over the web, which is what Ash and others here have been trying to do. The one person here to fully accomplish this is probably Psycho Ann, whom has been producing high quality web manga for quite a while now. If this forum wants to really make anykind of impact it will have to be through the forums namesake....ANIME.

One thing that should be done if anyone is interested.....is utilizing manga and Character Bibles for manga concepts and present them at the next Anime-Con. This means litterally having a booth and presenting the group as a sort of make shift production team. This is mainly the only way any project developed will take off, you have to bring the Manga to the people, not wait for the people to come to the manga.

Another thing which could most likely bring this group closer as a organization, is to have a convention of our own, where everyone could meet and put faces to the avatars (so to speak).

Yes, I know what all of you are going to say, it's going to take alot of work, time, and money. But that is the harsh reality of the situation if anyone wants this group to be more then just another anime forum.

Personally, I think it is possible, there is more then enough talent and resources to utilize, but in true blue reality is it rests soley on the shoulders of the managers and the staff, as well as us the memebers on if this Organization will continue to grow, or remain a web forum.

These are my petty thoughts, and I hope I don't sound to harsh or rude. I just believe that if I or anyone else isn't perfectly honest when it comes the the future of this group and other serious matters, it will only hurt us in the future. And from my experience these are the facts for producing and supplying anykind of mainstream manga.

I didn't mean to offend anyone, and if I did I apologize.
God Bless,
Archan

[Saint Kevin]

Well guys, my church is in need of someone who can use photoshop, and other graphic design software, to impact the world for Christ.

I have the unique opportunity of going to a school that has TONS of free design software that I can use.

Also, I have you guys, and your wealth of experience and knowledge.

The problem is, I know nothing of Photoshop, or really any other design software. That's where you guys come in. If some of the artists here would be willing to train me in the use of said software, I would be willing to learn, and practice, in the hopes of some day helping my church out in this area.

I don't know how exactly it would work out, but I guess it's worth a shot guys. If anyone is interested in helping me in this area, I'd really like to know, so, PM me, or respond in this thread if you like.

Also, it cannot be understated, that God's normal plan for believers, is for them to worship corporately and to serve one another. So, regardless of the number of parachurch organizations in the world, God DOES call believers to be in a church as the normal place to both be poured into and loved by other Christians, and also as a place to serve your brothers and sisters in Christ with your own unique gifts.

So, if you've taken an attitude of "I don't NEED to go to church to worship God," then know that even though that IS true, you might be missing out on a lot that God has for you by neglecting the practice of consistent and corporate worship and fellowship with fellow believers. So, if you haven't yet, find a church that exalts the Word of God (for God exalts above everything His Word and His name - Psalm 138), and make it a point to go and see what God has for you. Go, and be built up, and then after a while, find some small way you can build up other believers there too.

Also, can I say that prayer is awesome? You guys have been great in praying for me and for each other. Keep it up, persevere and never stop praying for each other. May grace and peace be with you all in the name of our Lord Jesus,
SK.

[Ashley]

Kev, I think what could be of easiest help to you right now is to buy (or get the church to buy) a book for you called Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book. We used that in my graphic design class and it teaches you how to do all sorts of things in photoshop--as well as how the tools work and such. It has little lessons/projects that you can practice on as well. The only kicker is that I think it's fairy expensive, but your church could consider it a huge asset. At least if you have the book, then you could come to us artists and say, hey I don't understand how to do such and such, and we could tell you in terms that would match the book.

[Jasdero]

Yeah, I saw this huge manual on how to use Adobe Photoshop CS at Barnes and Noble, and it scared me away... Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book sounds like a good try. Would you happen to know if they have it for CS/8? Egad, don't answer that.. I'm just going to check on http://www.bn.com . Yeah, my desire to be lazy is amazing, wouldn't you say?
As for the C.A.A. Reaching Out Program, I'm not really sure about it. Forgive my inability to understand it all, but yeah, I don't know. I think you mean to say you want to kind of "advertise" CAA.. right? I could do that...