Per Watching&Waiting above: Just want to be clear that this site was closed and THEN the Facebook site was opened. We were paying huge fees every month, and we had no tech help at the old site. That is why the site was closed. Not because of Facebook. Facebook was just a free alternative at the time so RITAN wouldn’t die. TR, regarding our original Old Rita as I remember it, the trolls had become so uncontrollable, with no protections from them on that site, that a move away from there was suggested - to search for a format that gave the ability to control trolls. That original site was unique, God given and blessed with so much Life. For various reasons of what it takes financially and technically to uphold a website, we had to make other moves. In all of that, change happened - new faces and new places you might say. There were administrative decisions behind the scenes needing to be made, directly relating to site costs and technical oversight of our websites. There are always the behind the scene dynamics that might affect a necessary change or move. I recall also that there were a couple of attempts at asking members to donate to cover the higher costs that we had at certain points. Most often there just weren't sufficient donations, which again necessitated change. In it all, we've done the best we can in the Lord to cause RITA to exist and flourish. Change affects things. That just has to be accepted. In every decision having to be made there was always the hope that nothing would slow down or die. Administration is a like a foundation in making a site possible, but it is frequent member input, activity and fellowship that causes a site to thrive, no matter where that site is located. And that is the truth. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink...or should I say, post! And, only a handful cannot carry the whole for long. The dynamics of Old Rita will be recaptured and then some in Heaven, after our Rapture call. :bible Wait for it!! :flyup: I agree whole-heatedly with what David said. The "spirit" of the times has changed. Nothing, except for God, stays the same. God even commands us to sing a new song to Him, not the same old same old. The times have changed, people are weary, and every day it seems we are buried with new information. I believe the old Rita hit a sweet spot in time and managed to carry it for quite some time but many of the people who made the old Rita what it was are no longer here nor are they on the fb Ritan site, so I do not see fb as being a dividing point. They aren't on either. Also, there is a huge difference between fb Ritan and this site, much of which can only be witnessed behind the scenes. I dont care for nor do I participate in the fb Ritan. I haven't participated there in quite some time. I very much do not care for the dynamics of it. What the participants of either site do not see is what we have to deal with and I can say from an insider's point of view that the managing of people on the fb site is MUCH more difficult than it is here. As David so aptly stated "For one thing, people aren’t as drawn to moderated sites any longer. They have become used to posting one-shot posts on places like FB and don’t really seem that interested in engaging in discussion. They already know what they want to say." FAR more internal moderating goes on on the fb site than does here. The group here is pretty easy to deal with and most people stay in the bounds. Since I am not active on the fb site I do not moderate it either but for those who do I definitely tip my hat to you. It is a lot more work. I know my own participation of this site has been sparse of late but my workload has been high and I travel a lot for work. I have to imagine that is the case for some others as well. Many times I simple come here to be sure a wolf hasn't entered in but don't have time to convey any thoughts on the matters of interest. I have a multitude of PM's I haven't even addressed yet but it's not from a lack of interest but lack of time. Indeed expenses for the old site had become an issue. Perhaps the old RITAN has in fact already seen it's better days! Truly indeed things change. But I am at a loss to explain the lack of involvement on this site especially in light of the days we live in. One would think that the closer we approach "that day" there would be an increased involvement? This was truly an opportunity for the average person to have a "voice". I also understand that there are many spiritual landmines that are built into the prophetic landscape of God's word. There are numerous agenda's involved with an open forum. And even though we are all broken vessels, a modicum of unity of faith and an embracing of the Blessed Hope as well as an embracing of fellowship I thought would always serve the Church of Christ well! A picture of the children of Israel fleeing the Egyptians and facing the Red Sea with no way out, having only fear and grumbling within the ranks speaks to the disunity I observe within the Christian community of today! Indeed these are the things that I bemoan the most, not just what used to be at RITA! Though it was sweet while it lasted! I appreciate all the opportunity and input on this thread. Blessings to one and all! May the Lord indeed surprise us all with His "quickness"! May the church again be graced with the unity of the Spirit of God! TR Our world and lives are too frenetic today. I guess I'm just not into "drive by" postings! Ergo the format of social media outlets! TR
