But the sad thing is, relatively few Christian groups are using the Web for real evangelism. There are 40,000+ English-language Christian Web sites, but the overwhelming majority are targeted entirely at Christians. There are more than 150,000 church Web sites, but again, most are written largely for their own members.
Yet the opportunities are vast. There are 100 million Internet users in China. 80 million are online in Japan. India will soon have 60 million, and the Middle East will have 17 million. Throughout the West, the majority of households have access to the Web.
The Internet Evangelism Day is Here!
It seems that many Christians are unaware of this potential, or else are unsure how to use the Web for effective online evangelism. The Internet Evangelism Coalition an umbrella grouping of ministries already involved in Web evangelism, has therefore initiated a worldwide focus day for Christians -- the Internet Evangelism Day.
Their hope is that churches will build a short Web evangelism focus into their activities using ready-made downloadable materials. This might be a 15-minute slot within the morning service; or home-groups could set aside time within that week; or a Web evangelism seminar can be designed.
There are be ready-made materials for churches to download from the IE Day Web site www.InternetEvangelismDay.com including:
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5-minute video
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PowerPoint presentation
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discussion papers
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posters and flyers
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short dramas
Other Christian groups, such as Bible colleges and mission agencies, can also build a an IE Day program appropriate to their own needs. The IE Day site helps Christians to focus on these issues …
Church Growth
Church Web sites can be a vital part of a church’s growth. “Nearly 100% of the people who visit Pinecrest Church these days come as a result of finding us on the Web site. It is by far our most effective ‘advertising' to let people know we exist,” says one pastor. There are some key strategies that can transform a church Web site into an effective outreach tool -- check out the Church Web strategies section on the IE Day Web site.
What About the Dangers?
The Web, as a medium, is neutral. Like other communication methods (TV, video, radio, books and magazines, telephone, even the postal service), it has no intrinsic moral attributes. The Internet can be used for good or bad. In a fallen world, where easy money can be made by exploiting people, we must expect that the Web will often be used for evil purposes.
It is certainly unfortunate that governments have not taken sufficient action to counter wrong uses of the Web. And because the Internet is like an instant worldwide library – giving access to anyone, anything, anywhere, in seconds – the dangers and temptations are real.
There are ways to protect yourself and your family, using filtering products and accountability software. The IE Day site offers advice: http://ied.gospelcom.net/dangers.php
Taking it to the World
These are the issues that Internet Evangelism Day will share with Christians across the world. “Our hope is that Web evangelism will make a quantum leap, as a result of this exposure. We’d love to see many churches using IE Day,” says Day co-ordinator Tony Whittaker. “This focus day has no fund-raising element at all!”
Learn more about Internet Evangelism Day
More from the Internet Evangelism Coalition
Learn how to witness online through our Internet Evangelism Training
More Evangelism Resources on Spiritual Life
More from Spiritual Life
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