The Internet is revolutionizing the way we communicate. It’s given birth to new methods of communication such as email, forums, chat rooms, blogs, and instant messaging. As a result it is changing both who we communicate with and how. When I’m online I’m almost as likely to bump into someone in Cairo, Egypt as Cairo, Illinois. Just as the Roman road system in New Testament times enabled the rapid spread of the Gospel, so also the Internet is becoming an effective worldwide channel for evangelism.
Christians are just beginning to realize the potential of the Internet as a means for communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes, there are already thousands of Christian websites online, but the vast majority of those are written for a Christian audience. The Internet Evangelism Coalition, an umbrella grouping of ministries already involved in web evangelism, has therefore initiated a worldwide focus day for Christians: Internet Evangelism Day (IED), May 7.
To be clear, the goal of IED is not to have one day when Christians share their faith online, but rather one day when Christians educate themselves and strategize within their organizations about how they can better share their faith online throughout the year.
The official IED website lists a number of “Hoped for Outcomes,” but I would summarize the purposes of IED into these four points:
- To increase awareness among Christians about the potential for evangelism online.
- To educate and encourage individual Christians about how they can engage people online in spiritual conversations.
- To encourage Christian churches, ministries, and organizations that already have websites to have planning sessions focused on how they could make their existing websites more welcoming to non-Christians and evangelistic.
- To encourage Christian organizations to plan formal Internet evangelism ministries/strategies.
What can you do?
If you are a pastor, elder, or leader in a Christian ministry, try to schedule an Internet evangelism planning meeting. It would be great if it could be on May 7, but there’s nothing magic about that day, so if need be you can schedule it for some other day. Here are some examples of events done last year.
As an individual, read books or online resources about how to develop friendships and share your faith online in your spare time. Pray and ask God for guidance.
Next week I’m going to recommend specific evangelistic resources for websites and ideas for individual web evangelism that you can discuss in your IED events and use beyond that as you implement an Internet evangelism strategy.
What are your thoughts on Internet Evangelism Day? What will you be doing?
In His Service,
Paul Steinbrueck
OurChurch.Com
Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com
Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization.
An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org.
Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication.
6 Comments
We would like to make our website more welcoming to non-Christians and evangelistic.
https://www.ourchurch.com/member/g/graceindia
It is really neat that you are involved with IEC and IED, and are publicizing both… 🙂
Our website (http://www.GodSci.org) has been involved with sharing evidence for the Existence of God, and for the reality of Christ to internet users…
… and has (by God’s grace) addressed a lot of questions from seekers as well as skeptics (e.g.,
Questions from Teens — http://www.godsci.org/gsi/qa/emq/teens.html;
Questions from Adults — http://www.godsci.org/gsi/qa/emq/adu_lts.html;
Dialog with a Skeptic turned seeker — http://www.godsci.org/gsi/dialog/daniel_00.html
Questions from Skeptics & Seekers on the internet — http://www.godsci.org/gsi/qa/inq/00.html
There is no shortage of opportunity to share Christ on the internet !
May God bless your ministry, and that of the Internet Evangelism Coalition.
In Christ,
John
All true Christians need to Reach out to a world that is dying for hope. Someone reached out to me and now bless His Holy Name; I have come to know, love and serve my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I was lost …but now I am saved…I was empty…but now I am complete in Him. I ran the dusty roads of this world like a wild boro and would not be tamed until one day in a quiet place…I met my Jesus face to face. I now have a new love in my heart. I now know where I am going (eternal life) I now have joy unspeakable and full of glory. I now have peace that passes understanding. Goodness and Mercy follow me everywhere I go. Jesus is the only hope for this world. Blessings to all!!!
Glory to God for His unconditional and everlasting love. I thank God for His lovingkindness. His grace and mercy endureth forever.
This is the best news I have heard in a long time. Communicating and fulfilling God’s great commission through different channels and levels of communication is a great way to achieve this goal. With the world in turmoil, I believe it is important to try and bring as many people as possible to the cross to receive salvation and the gift of eternal life. God’s sovereign power and His amazing grace is something every human being should experience. What a blessing to know that so many people love the Lord, Jesus Christ and as I open my heart to continue to receive knowledge and wisdom of the Lord thy God, I do so with sincerity. As believers, it is imperative that we help to save lives across the globe delighting in the Word of God, rejoicing and singing unto His Holy and Righteous name, songs to glorify Him now and forever.
I will continue on this awesome Spirit led journey to fulfill this great commission. As the Holy Spirit indwells, He guides my footsteps leading me to the heavenly kingdom where God has prepared a place for me to spend eternity with Him. It is my sincere prayer and hope that all mankind will do the same. May God continue to keep everyone covered in His Blanket of Love.
I am so excited about internet evangelism and the possiblities of being able to reach even more people for Christ. I have been seeking ways to provide more information/resources for our website that might be beneficial/user friendly to those that are lost, new believer and those involved in ministry outreach. May God receive the glory as we take the world for him. This is awesome!!!!!!
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