Walls Down | Youtube
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today I wanted to give a quick rundown about YouTube and why I’m on it at all.
Before we get started, I want to say this clearly: I’m grateful that people want to support by watching. However, there’s something many don’t realize. If someone clicks a video, watches only a short portion, hits like, and then leaves, YouTube’s algorithm interprets that as a negative signal and stops showing the video to new people.
If you genuinely aren’t interested in the content, it’s actually better not to watch at all, because then the video is more likely to be shown to those who are. I truly appreciate the desire to support, but an algorithm can’t tell the difference between encouragement and disinterest. I wanted to say this once, especially because I have friends and family who want to help and wouldn’t otherwise know. We’re still a new channel, and I want to cover all my bases. Please pray for us.
Believe it or not, YouTube is a social media platform, and one I’m very familiar with. I grew up with it and created over a hundred videos before starting ROOM. I understand subscription feeds, thumbnails, pacing, sound usage, and storytelling methods. While I may not be the most engaging while reading a newsletter to a camera, video allows people to see a real human being behind the ministry, which builds trust in a way text alone often cannot.
We must cast a wide net. The people who need to know about this ministry, and those who need to learn how to do what we do so they can do it themselves, are spread across many platforms. I have limited time, enough to write newsletters, record and edit videos, post a few shorts, regular Bible studies, household responsibilities, and evangelism.
YouTube isn’t going away. Newsletter readers will always hear about things sooner, and YouTube viewers will receive the audible version about a month later. Alongside this, YouTube will be getting a new series called Howitzer Hour. The words will be hotter and the strikes will land harder. Many will want nothing to do with us because of it.
I’m not focused on the masses. I have firm convictions. Howitzer Hour exists to call out sin that is not being dealt with in the church, to call elders to consistency in applying the Word, and to rally believers to action. It will likely filter out those who are comfortable with the status quo, and that is fine. I’m not interested in people-pleasing. If I were, I wouldn’t be bringing the gospel into VRChat.
I’ve waited a long time to see meaningful action in many areas, and over the last thirty years the church has backslid significantly. This is my attempt to take a shot at the enemy. I pray that brothers and sisters will notice, pray, and act.
Call Beyond The Screen
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
(Galatians 1:10)
Brothers and sisters,
It may be that in time I receive significant heat for blunt calls to repentance and consistency. I don’t mind, and I pray you won’t either. We are called to please God, not man. Man is small. Man may destroy the body, but God destroys both body and soul.
“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known… Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
(Matthew 10:26–28)
Be strong and courageous. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you again this March through May. If you would like me to visit and share at your local church, please reach out to info@rooministries.org. If you’re interested in volunteering and aren’t sure how yet, you can reach out there as well.
Peace be with you,
Matthew Boyer