Internet Ministry: Global Connection
In my two previous posts concerning internet ministry (“What is it?” and “Evangelism and Discipleship“), I defined internet ministry as “the use of online services, apps, functions, and technologies in order to serve people with the intention of helping those people grow in maturity towards Christ” and concluded that even if we pursue evangelism online, our ultimate goal should be discipleship – that is, not simply making converts, but helping people maturing in their walk with Jesus Christ.
In this post, I am will discuss one of the major benefits of serving people using online resources, and I will show how this benefit can also be a disadvantage.
Of course, the benefit that I’m talking about (as indicated in the title of this post) is the global connection, meaning that by using online resources we are able to connect to people all around the world. Until very recently (less than 100 years), if I wanted to communicate with someone in another country, it would take days, weeks, even months or more. Today, I can talk with people from every country on the planet in seconds.
In previous generations, the only people who could carry on conversations with people of different religions were those who traveled to different countries, or those with neighbors who were part of different religions. Today, anyone with a computer or cell phone with an internet connection can communicate and interact with people from any number of belief systems.
Internet Ministry: Evangelism and Discipleship
In my previous post, “Internet Ministry: What is it?,” I defined “internet ministry” as follows:
“Internet ministry” is the use of online services, apps, functions, and technologies in order to serve people with the intention of helping those people grow in maturity towards Christ.
What what kind of service can be included in “internet ministry”? Is this evangelism or discipleship?
The short answer is, “Yes.”
First, in Scripture, evangelism is part of discipleship. “Discipleship” is simply the process of helping someone live in a manner that honors Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. “Discipleship” is helping someone else mature in Christ.
Expositional Preaching and the Calendar
Expositional series tend to be longer than 4-6 weeks, so how do you work with the calendar? There’s no easy answer, but here are 3 things I do every time I’m planning a longer expositional teaching series:
1. Pick my start date - Pick a good start that date that will naturally draw people to come out. February, Easter, Mother’s Day, 2 weeks after Labor Day are all good Sundays to kick off an expositional series with momentum.
2. Know how long the series is going to be – Plan out your messages in advance. I spent 8 months teaching Revelation, but I know what was going to be taught each week of the series. This helps you know if you need to break from the series to do a holiday message and when you need to start prepping for your next series of messages.
Internet Ministry: What is it?
By Alan Knox
A couple of months ago, I was asked to wrote a post about internet ministry. Since I was preparing to leave for Ethiopia, I said that I would write the post after I returned. As I was studying and thinking about the topic, my post turned into a series of posts.
In this first post, I want to define what I mean by the term “internet ministry.” Now, to be completely honest, this is my definition. While my definition may be similar to others, I wanted to define the phrase in a way that express what I think about ministry itself. So, I’ll begin my definition with the term “ministry.”
As many, many scholars have pointed out, the English term “ministry” comes from the same Greek term as the English term “service.” “Ministry” is “service” and “service” is “ministry.” In the New Testament, there is not difference. So, in my definition there is no difference either. “Internet ministry” is “internet service.”
But, serving whom? In Scripture, service is also directed toward other people.While it may be beneficial to do something that benefits only yourself, this is not service. For example, if I write a book, but do not show it to anyone, it is not an act of service. It only because a possible act of service when I then share that book with others. So, “ministry” or “service” is directed toward others and interact with others in some way.
Thus, “internet ministry” is “internet service directed toward and interacting with other people.”
Christian Leadership: 10 Qualities Of A Potential Leader
- Positiveness: The ability to work with and see people and situations in a positive way.
- Servanthood: The willingness to submit, play team ball and follow the leader.
- Growth Potential: A hunger for personal growth and development; the ability to keep growing as the job expands.
- Follow-Through: The determination to get the job done completely and with consistency.
- Loyalty: The willingness to always put the leader and the organization above personal desires.
- Resiliency: The ability to bounce back when problems arise.
- Integrity: Trustworthiness and solid character; consistent words and walk.
- "Big Picture" Mind Set: The ability to see the whole organization and all of its needs.
- Discipline: The willingness to do what is required regardless of personal mood.
- Gratitude: An attitude of thankfulness that becomes a way of life.
Blueprint for Success: Blogging Steps
Blueprint for Success: Blogging Steps
By Suzanne Lieurance Build Your Business Write
http://www.
Follow these steps to create a fun and productive blog to promote your writing and your freelance writing business.
Step 1. Determine a concept for your blog. What are you blogging about?
Step 2. Decide if you are blogging for profit or for fun. If you’re blogging for profit, how? Affiliate income? AdSense? Are you marketing your own products? Determine this before you get started.
How to Stop Putting it Off – Say Goodbye to Procrastination For Good
How to Stop Putting it Off – Say Goodbye to Procrastination For Good
By Isi Dixon
Procrastination – probably the number one cause for people to be disorganized, for not achieving what they want, for not being the best they could be. What people don’t realize, however, is you only need the right tools to conquer it.
Let’s brush away the reasons why you might be procrastinating and we will basically leave you with no excuse to simply get on with it.
"I haven’t got the time right now."
This is the most popular excuse for procrastinators. The thing is you are probably right. You have not got the whole block of time it takes to tackle the spare room, or the whole of the ironing pile, or the complete reorganization of the kitchen. But you have got 10 minutes, or maybe even 20 or 30. And that is all it takes to make a start. Start by sorting through one box, ironing 10 or 20 items, tackling one single drawer. And if you do that every day, you will realize that you are making slow but steady progress.
If you find yourself still procrastinating, then there must be other, deeper rooted reasons behind that. These possible other reasons fall into two categories, ones concerning the project itself, the others your personality style.
Barna Studys’ Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity
(I saw this post about some recent research by Barna on the Charismatic movement. Being a seasoned tongue talker, I could not resist posting it for your reflection and enjoyment. You can go to Barna’s site a get the complete report.
In Him,
JMb <><
Bishop James I Feel God Brown)
Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity
New survey results from Barna Research show that a quarter of American Christians identify themselves as charismatic or Pentecostal. Those fitting Pentecostal/charismatic criteria stated that they considered themselves to “have been filled with the Holy Spirit,” and that God has given them at least one of the charismatic gifts, such as tongues, prophecy or healing. Overall, that group represents 21 percent of all American adults and 25 percent of those who describe themselves as Christian.
Baby Busters (ages 26 to 44) were the generation of self-identified Christians most likely to claim a charismatic or Pentecostal connection (29%), slightly higher than the 26 percent among the Mosaics (ages 18 to 25) and the 25 percent among the eldest of Americans (25% among those 64 and older). Surprisingly, the generation that introduced America to “Jesus freaks” and other marks of spiritual intensity — i.e., Baby Boomers (now 45 to 63) — is the generation currently least likely to identify as charismatic or Pentecostal (20%).
Americans Struggle to Feed Their Families, Know Others Who Needed Donated Food, According to The 2009 Hormel Hunger Survey
Americans Struggle to Feed Their Families, Know Others Who Needed Donated Food, According to The 2009 Hormel Hunger Survey
Hormel
Christian Leadership: How to Strengthen the Church One Believer At A Time!
As I was scanning the internet, I came across this article “How to Strengthen the Church One Believer At A Time!” on Mike Shroades Ministry Blog at http://mikeshroades.blogspot.com. I thought his 6 pillars were a good foundational start. Nonetheless, I am sure we can come up with some more. Leave your comments and suggestions below.
How to Strengthen the Church One Believer At A Time!
Whether you have been serving Jesus for decades, or if you find yourself new to the faith you can help strengthen the church as a whole. Over the years I have realized there are some common threads that runs through vibrant, healthy, growing churches.
And, I believe if the individual believer can implement these five pillars they will strengthen themselves…thus strengthening the local church…which strengthens the body of Christ.
There are Five Pillars of Strength every beliver should practice, and every local should offer to those involved. Teach these principles and watch what happens!
PILLAR I: Prayer! Prayer is where we tap into the power of God. Act 2 the disciples gathered in the Upper Room…the power of God falls…thousands come to Christ! Prayer brings power!
PILLAR II: Worship! Worship is the time we most often encounter Gods presence. Scripture declares that God lives in the praises of His people. Worship helps develop intimacy with God.
