Article on Ivory's Christian Community

Ivory's Christian Community.

Among the largest of the Christian/Kingdom based networks on ning, Ivory's Christian community is probably also the most active, most diverse, and friendliest of them all. Okay, so maybe I say that with a tinge of bias, since I'm a member as well, and I've been one for quite a while!

So, what makes this network tick?
Well, that's something even I can't pin down. Maybe it's just the friendly greetings you'll receive on joining, or the uncompromisingly welcoming feeling of diversity, without any feelings of "hey your different!" peeking out from the crevices. Or maybe it's just the way the Spirit has welded together the hearts of the members. It's always amazing, how people over vast distances manage to forge deep ties within networks such as this one, but somehow, it happens. From there, it's probably not so hard to see how such networks grow and spread. People from around the world are drawn to the light!

But what amazes me most? (should I use but? lol)
It's the fact that I've found members who claim not to even be believers enjoying the atmosphere of this network! Shocking though it may be, no one there seems to feel the judgement that so many claim to experience in the presence of believers. In fact, they seem to feel loved and accepted, just as it should be.

What makes this network unique?
Good question self! Really, what makles Ivory's Christian Community unique? Why is it still going after so long online? What is that keeps you coming back for more? Well, that's one more thing that can't be pinned down to any single feature or attribute. First we've got to remember who runs it. Ivory always seems to be happy and smiling (and I don't mean the profile picture, of course she's always smiling there!). Once, we had a mock argument while she was under the weather (a rare occurance), at first I thought I had in some way offended her. Turns out she was only joking! And guess what, I'm still a member! Harldy does a month (a fortnight? a week?) go by that I don't get some friendly, and usually extremely funny comment from her or another member. Somehow, Ivory manages to notice when someone is inactive (like busy me) and will manages to find out how it's all going.

-Features
So, maybe the features are nothing new... same old ning forum, events, chat (widget lab), yada yada...
But somehow, they all seem alive! lol, Ivory has made use of CSS styles to give the site a little "glitter," something I ought to try. However, commendation is due, in that she has not gone overboard, as can happen, but has instead, kept most of the features simple and straight forward.
That helps a tonne with new users, who will often be completely lost, and ven more so when features are over used and out of whack!
    -The Forum.
One thing which I will also commend, is the proper use of the forum feature. Many users will stare blankly when faced with a feature like this. "It just doesn't seem to fit (except for evil spammers) in a Christian community. What do you use it for? Don't we have blogs?" Actually, this forum is quite useful. With posts of encouragement or those asking for advice, it certainly doesn't go to waste. Plus, groups have certainly not gone to waste either, though generally not as active as forums (a trend on ning networks), they still managed to find a solid use there.

*stretches*

Well, there you have it, a slightly rambling review, and our first :-) whoohoo!
Of course I'll be having a lot more to say on this and other networks in the future. But instead of taking my word for it only, why not check it out?

View my page on Ivory's Christian Community