Cyber Evangelism

The Internet offers you a range of fulfilling ways to reach people. It's what we are made for! See these helpful papers on evangelism. And get this, you do not have to be highly technical! Just see what is possible:

• Websites

  It is not rocket science to create simple websites. If you can learn a desk-top publishing program, you can probably produce webpages. There are many books and online tutorials to help you, and evening classes are frequently offered in local colleges. Increasingly, you can find page-creation systems that do not require much technical understanding. The ability to write clearly and concisely is of course essential. We must learn to become information architects who understand the different strands that make up good web communication.

  Cartoon: "How's the Website?"

• Counseling

  You may have years of experience in encouraging and mentoring people with problems. This is a transferable skill - you can help in the follow-up program of an evangelistic site, if you have a computer and know how to write an email.

• Chat rooms

  Are you skilled in verbal witnessing, able to 'think on your feet', and share your faith in a warm, friendly and non-combative manner? Maybe chat rooms are for you? At least one group is available to give you training and partnership - you do not need to do it on your own.

• Living in cyber-world

  Merely learning to live in cyber-space, finding your way round, making friends, and just being a Christian within the subculture, is a valuable witness.

• Teaching computer skills

  Just as teaching English has long been a 'way in' for Christian witness, now teaching computer skills is becoming a powerful means of sensitively sharing our faith.

The Internet is enabling these gifts and ministries to be released in many people, including disabled or chronically-sick believers, shut-ins, and retired people.

It is important to understand the nature of the Web. It is not just 'print on a screen', or primarily means of disseminating tracts and sermons.

Training is available to help you.

Bride of Christ, Groom of Men

"What does the Church exist for? (writes Sam Kputu)

1. Upreach: to reach up to God in praise, worship and thanksgiving
2. Inreach: to reach into one another in loving care and fellowship
3. Outreach: to reach to those outside of her, in living invitation to Christ, that all might be won to His kingdom.

On these three vital pillars stands the true Church of Christ. We are the bride of Christ, but while we wait for the wedding feast, we are to be the groom of men, wooing them to the Kingdom. It doesn't matter whether they are far or near, friendly or hostile, Jews or Greek. On this mandate we stand or fall before Heaven."

Although each of us has individual callings and gifts, it is probably true to say that the church as a whole is so busy with #2 that #3 is largely forgotten, especially the needs for outreach in the non-Western world. There are desperate shortages of cross-cultural workers throughout the 10-40 Window and even in the needy countries of Europe, many of which are also largely unreached.

Cyberworld is a vast mission field, yet most online Christian activity is Christian-to-Christian: #2 'inreach'. There is a mismatch of ministry and need.

Challenges and issues

• Tools for the Master - although the Web is indeed a tool for us, ultimately we are the tools in God's hands.
• Only One - you can make a difference in ways you may not be able to guess.
• There are potentially serious temptations for those doing online ministry – especially men. The Enemy will always attack you in your weakest areas – health, relationships, time prioritization, or viewing online porn. Be aware of strategies for avoidance, as well as the need for prayer backing.
• Web evangelists need prayer support. Online ministry is as much 'front line' as any other sort. It is not 'safe', just because it is done at home, at a computer. If you wish to be involved in online outreach, build up a support base. If you know any web evangelists, covenant to pray for them.

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