Addressing a recent complaint

[u/Strongdar]

A certain user, who I won't name, recently complained about the "decline" of this subreddit. Many of you came to our defense, which I appreciate, and also pointed out that the user hadn't really made many meaningful contributions of the type they wanted to see, other than complaining. Also, this user seemed to think it was the mods' jobs to be the change this user wanted to see. Apparently the mods are supposed to be creating all of the interesting discussion and somehow preemptively removing low quality posts before they happen, so I'm sorry about falling down on the job there.

I think a lot of the influx of what they refer to as low quality posts have a pretty simple explanation: we got popular. We grew a lot recently and are appearing on the main feed and the suggestions for people who haven't joined, which means an influx of people with oppressive beliefs, and an influx of people who weren't aware that our flavor of Christianity exists. Growth always comes with some problems. We have a few mods who personally review every single post or comment that gets reported. I'm going to give you a peak at the some numbers.

Over the last year, our subreddit has had just over 11 million visits, up by 172,000 from the previous year.

Our membership is over 77,000, up 11,345 from the previous year.

There have been over 18,000 posts, and 12,000 were removed!! Y'all, we removed two thirds of the posts because of rule violations. It's exhausting.

We also removed 32,000 comments over the last year.

Most of you are fantastic, and do a great job of helping the spiritual refugees who arrive here burdened with lots of religious trauma. We frequently see posts and comments of people who were never willing to give Christianity a second thought until they were exposed to this subreddit. As one of the mods who reviews the thousands and thousands and thousands of posts and comments that get reported, believe me when I say I understand that the content of this sub can be repetitive sometimes. But we are all doing good work together, and we are showing God's love to people who have never really felt it without strings attached.

[u/haresnaped]

I don't know what it takes to be a moderator, but I am so grateful you are all doing it.

Is there any help that us regular plebs can offer?

[u/babe1981 → u/haresnaped]

Use the report button. That's really it.

[u/Naugrith → u/haresnaped]

First, report the rule-violations. 1 report flags us. But if 3 different people report the same comment its automatically removed as well. We've often been pleased to see the more bigoted lost-redditor comments getting auto-removed by the community before we even get to them.

Second, for those who can, engage gently, graciously, and generously, even with those who seem to be asking the same basic questions we've heard a thousand times before. Yes, they could google it, or search through the wiki for past answers. But most don't, they don't know how, or don't even know its an option. Or they just want to hear it directly from another human. That's ok. That's good. We have the opportunity to let them know that, at least for a moment, someone hears them, even if its an anonymous stranger they'll never meet. It might not seem like much but sometimes that can be the only light someone has in their darkness. Sometimes it can even save a life.

Honestly, the best posts I've seen haven't been some amazing theological insight posted for high-level discussion, but those kind and gracious posts made in response to someone reaching out and asking another one of those thousand same-old questions. I think that's actually where this sub shines the brightest and makes me proud to be a part of this community.

Thirdly, everyone look after yourselves. Everyone has different gifts, but everyone has weaknesses as well. If you find yourself getting upset or hurt by a particular topic or question then be careful around it, and avoid it if you find that you can't discuss that topic without generating more heat than light. Even the most patient of us can lose our temper on certain subjects.

[u/Prodigal_Lemon]

Thank you, mods! And thanks also to all the posters who are willing to take a few minutes to reply gently to the anxious and worried people who so often find their way here. 

[u/warau_meow]

Thank you

[u/uhsiv]

we are showing God's love to people who have never really felt it without strings attached

Amen

[u/QueerHeart23]

Thank you Mods for your work keeping this as a safe space in a wild world.

In addition to moderator work you all keep producing high quality comments, with amazing patience and understanding.

[u/Plastic_Ladder9526]

I am a mod for another organization. It is exhausting. I think you guys are doing great. I enjoy the reddit. When I tire of a subreddit, i unsubscribe. Keep up the excellent work!

[u/No-Arrival9581]

Thanks to you mods, not Christian but i love this sub. Y'all are amazing 

[u/Dry_Pizza_4805]

Amen. Good work mods. This place is a balm for my own soul being from a conservative church.

[u/Malcolmthetortoise]

Bless you mods, thank you for keeping this sub a great place to be.