In my previous post, I summarized a discussion I had with several pastors in an all day session on Internet ministry. One of the points made by these pastors was that true ministry required physical presence: “the class agreed that effective Internet ministry should always encourage face-to-face fellowship and should never replace the physical gathering.” As a ministry develops an Internet presence, this philosophical point must be agreed upon beforehand. If you feel that your Internet ministry is a supplement to face-to-face ministry, then you will likely choose a different feature set for your web site than if you saw the Internet as the primary place for ministry.
I received this email from Brian Atkinson, Manager of Alliance Development for Gospel Communications Network, regarding his thoughts on the place of the Internet in ministry:
Hi David,
I read through your blog post, and I have some comments.
Our internet ministry is built on the notion that the internet can indeed be used for ministry. We value the face-to-face time and have an annual conference to facilitate the community better. But for us, the physical connection supplements the internet ministry and not the other-way around.
Time and time again, we’ve seen people touched – virtually – but nonetheless spiritually by internet ministry. We have a nearly 13 year track record of ministries with no physical component to their ministry make an enormous impact for Christ online; bringing people into relationship with Jesus and helping to develop that relationship. I’ve personally been involved in ministry over the internet for nearly 10 years. I’ve never met anyone I’ve counseled face-to-face and I don’t intend to. I believe that ministry can happen anywhere – even in cyberspace.
I hope that helps,
-brian
Where do you stand on this issue? Did your organization develop a philosophy on this before (or during) the development of your web presence?
Dear David and Brian,
I really believe that is room and a need for us to be fully accepting of which ever of the forms of ministry are blessing people, leading them to salvation, and magnifing the Gospel of the Kingdom.
I am a local pastor with a congregation, that I love desperately. But I reach far more people, counsel far more people, and pastor far more people online than I could physically reach if I wanted to.
Taking the water to the desert must be included as a central mission of effective Internet Ministry. The p@rmo people don’t insist on sending folks to the peep shows and worse. No, they reach them where they are in the security of their own environments, knowing that if they present enough enticing material the end result will be physical access.
I hate the analogy, but the principal is true. My motive online is to build the Kingdom not populate my fifedom. Much like Paul said one plants, another waters, and God gives the increase.
I have developed a network of websites that feed each other and stretch out to different constituences. http://www.1000churches.org is about church and christian leadership. http://www.ifeelgod.org is a personal blog. http://www.victoryreport.com is our local church site. http://www.poorpreacher.com exists to create and sell material on “How To Do” Internet Ministry. Additionally, we have googlegroups and yahoogroups which provide encouragement, bible study materials, and devotionals.
There is so much more that I could say, but I guess I will have to do it on my blog.
btw, did I mention that our 18000 name email list is populated primarily with African American church leaders?
Thanks again for you insights on this topic.
In Him,
JMb <
Bishop James ‘ I Feel God ‘ Brown
The Internets Favorite Pastor
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