I was talking with a friend this past year and mentioned that I think the Internet might possibly be the greatest missions field of the 21st century. A bold statement. One I'm not quite sure I can fully defend.
But... I am becoming more and more convinced that it might just be true.
Citizens of every tribe are finding their way (or soon will) to a web that the boys at DARPA could not have even imagined those many years ago. The opportunities are amazing. From the distribution of trustworthy Bible study resources in English, to evangelistic audio podcasts in Kiswahili. From group discussion threads in Paltalk to one-on-one discipleship encounters in SecondLife. From Church websites integrated into the fabric of body life to mash-up feeds available to the masses. The Intersection of ministry and technology offers amazing new opportunities for missions, personal growth and communal learning as we persevere in this journey called the Christian life.
So I invite you to join me in this endeavor as we explore... the intersect. The point where discipleship, technological advancement, simplicity, love, power, funding, outreach, bits-and-bytes, ministry and the Internet collide.
Chris Goodman is the Director of Ministry Development for the global internet ministry of bible.org. He is also the Director of Business Development for bible.org's publishing ministry, NET Bible Press. Chris' skills do not include speeling, grammar, or biosciences. He does however have a passion for being faithfully submitted to Jesus Christ, seeking effective models for ministry in the 21st century and partnering with others in the journey.
...and she asked her friends to give you a warm welcome to the b-sphere. Yep, I see her fingerprints on your site (not that she planted that idea in my head or anything).
Bloggging IS a great interactive medium, among other things. Those, you'll learn by doing.
Stay tuned...:)
You work at Bible.org? I use that site all the time. I'd love to chat sometime.
Does this intersection have a traffic light?
Chris,
Awesome update. Bible.org just keeps getting better.
As a missions pastor, I find the intersect you talk about fascinating. The Internet and other technology is revolutionizing missions. Yet as I study the majority world, it is clear that "live bodies" -- real people -- are still crucial in the equation. The challenge is to not lose sight of the intersect.
I think of the glory days of shortwave radio. It played a significant role in bringing the Bible and biblical teaching to places all over the world. Yet it did not replace the need for actual missionaries. Of course, the Internet allows actual interaction via blogs, email, etc., so I do see it as having an even greater impact. But for a large portion of the world that can't even read much less have access to a computer, my hope is that technology helps rather than hinders mobilizing new missionaries to go to the ends of the earth.
Thanks James. Great to hear from you. I'm going to respond to your excellent point about "live bodies" in another post rather than in the comments here. Love to catch up soon.
:)chrisÂ
You're right.
The Internet is indeed quickly becoming the melting pot of ideas and preferred platform for open dialog. While more and more people gravitate towards the Net as mobile devices become more ubiquitous the avenues for people to hear the Gospel increases.
Here's my caveat: biblical ministry cannot remain within a medium. The Internet is one such medium much like books, radio, tv.
My worry with evangelizing through the medium of the internet is we lose the actual ministering to people by way of ministering to gravatars and aliases. People need other people to preach, other people to discipleship them, other people to lead them in bible study, and prayer. These are the graces purchased by Christ for His people and dispensed through His church... more specifically the local churches.
So yes, in part I agree that the Internet is become a virtual civilization which needs the Gospel but my hope is that we retain the means to to reach them.
Am I over reacting or being too cautious?
I must end by saying that I am very excited to see your passion and heart to use the Internet to reach people for Christ!
Thanks for the great comment. I think this is such a broad and living topic I think I'm going to respond in
another post rather than in the comments here.
:)chris
I agree with you Chris. Also, the new site looks great!
Vip