Internet Evangelism? And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved. Matthew 9:16-18 Internet Evangelism? © 2012, R.J. Krejcir, Ph.D., Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development www.churchleadership.org/ Is Internet Evangelism a proper means of evangelistic outreach? • Consider this, if you want your church, ministry, or even your business to be effective and productive, you must embrace properly the new and emerging communication platforms. • While it is rather unconventional, it need not be scary or foreboding… • This allows anyone to participate and can be an opportune way to communicate your presence, brand, vision and wares. Internet Evangelism? And, most importantly, social media—when used responsibly and prayerfully—can relay and inform so many of the Gospel and the precepts of God’s Word while calling out to all! What is Internet Evangelism? What is Internet Evangelism? Internet Evangelism is basically communicating the most important Message one can ever give—that of the Person, work, love and call of Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior – online! We must develop the skills for this to bring His Message of New Life to as many people as possible. The important question that can be asked for social media and all of life is this: how will you use this for God’s glory? What is Internet Evangelism? Yes, there are abuses; unfortunately, with every new thing, there are abuses. The same printing press can print smut that can print a Bible. It would be naïve to suppose that social media is not rife with abuses; however, the important question that can be asked for social media and all of life is this: ….how will your church or ministry use this for God’s glory? What is Internet Evangelism? Internet Evangelism is “effective evangelism” and this is outreach… This is essentially good communication; good communication in any arena is comprised of a conveyance of integrity, respect, and truth with others in a kind and active listening manner that reflects and glorifies Christ. What is Internet Evangelism? Effective evangelism is the foundation of a healthy church, a great marriage, and in the ministry of outreach by an affirmative friendship. Without good communication, relationships anywhere--in the church, the workplace, marriage-can never effectively work. (Prov. 29:20; Matt. 21:22; Luke 8:18; Rom. 12:10; Eph. 4:15, 25-29; Col. 3:5, 16, 4:6; 1 Tim. 4:12; James 1:19; 1 Peter 3). Imagine what you can do for Christ with Internet Evangelism? Why you need to be using Social Media Why you need to be using Social Media Social media is growing exponentially (Facebook recently passed the 500 million member mark) and marks a new outreach strategy of paramount. Thinking about social media in a different way allows you to see and use Facebook as a platform for your evangelism, outreach, and also customer service and public relations. You can use social media like a kind friend sharing the Gospel to your church or your business ‘receptionist’ and marketing manager to the world. Why you need to be using Social Media You can use social media like a kind friend sharing the Gospel to your church or your business ‘receptionist’ and marketing manager to the world. Why you need to be using Social Media A successfully maintained social media presence can help your ministry or business greatly by: • Increasing overall web presence and potential people and customer access to you. Why you need to be using Social Media A successfully maintained social media presence can help your ministry or business greatly by: • Connecting and engaging more successfully with current church members or clients. • Creating a community around your message, programs, people and brand awareness. Why you need to be using Social Media A successfully maintained social media presence can help your ministry or business greatly by: Promoting and expanding the Kingdom by your people’s expertise and character. Generating leads and presence to your church or business including search engine ranking so people can find you. Why you need to be using Social Media Social media is what your ministry or business needs to stay relevant to enhance its • awareness • relationships • marketing prowess • overall web presence …to expand the Kingdom and give glory to our Lord. How to do Internet Evangelism How to do Internet Evangelism Basically you want to engage in our area of expertise or hobby in online formats and social media like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to share your knowledge and skills.. • • • listen to others help others model the principles of the Gospel and faith It is all about how you treat people, how you talk to people, how you help will paint a picture of our Lord. How to do Internet Evangelism Such as you are a lawyer, you can engage in free law clinics online. You are a teenager and your only expertise is an online game, this can be great too. You play that game with integrity, and engage the forums and help, teach, encourage and be a friend. How to do Internet Evangelism Then when someone has a problem or need they seek you out. Then as opportunities arise, share the Word. See our evangelism page for tips on how to do that. www.intothyword.org/ How to do Internet Evangelism Your goal is to represent the Gospel clearly, so people can understand and make an authentic decision for Christ. Here are some more tips: Pray! Where and how can God use me? Wisdom, discernment, opportunities and contacts, for God to use you and for them to respond. Keep your conversations simple and short. Write in the theme of the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ especially with kindness, with what and how you say things. How to do Internet Evangelism Be straightforward and simple, never condescend or get mad. If they insult you, stay cool and kind… Do not use derogatory or slang terms. Stay away from using Christian ‘jargon’ like ‘are you saved’ or big theological words like ‘sanctification.’ These terms are loaded with misunderstandings and hurt. How to do Internet Evangelism When someone responds to you, try to respond back within a day. And try not to be a know it all, if you can’t answer, let them know you will try to find out and get back to them. Use our sites like www.intothyword.org or www.carm.org. How to do Internet Evangelism Ask them questions too, like form this list, “Twenty Questions” and more helps on our Outreach page. Always be encouraging, plug them into a local church in kindness and timing…. Ask them to take a step of faith like salvation. Point them to Discipleship sites like ours at www.discipleshiptools.org. How to do Internet Evangelism Good evangelistic outreach and internet evangelism in love is a must! Love and kindness is essential to the understanding of one another and to communicate the Love of our Lord. Remember the results are the Lords the obedience is ours. We must seek to do this well in love. It is not a numbers game it is a Gospel proclamation. How to do Internet Evangelism Engage in social media. Facebook and LinkedIn are primary. Twitter be necessary in drawing conventional, while Facebook is your prime tool, ‘friend’ people, talk to them, ‘like’ pages and talk to people on them. How to do Internet Evangelism Use LinkedIn if you are a professional and get involved in a group there with your expertise. Have one or more of your church members become experts for their niche on Answers.com and Yahoo Answers; develop a small curriculum and a few Q&A’s with relevant web links. How to do Internet Evangelism Engage in social media! Share the Lord! Be His ambassador! The goal is creating and maintaining connections. Carefully dispensing information in a kind manner is essential. Additional social marketing media can be engaged, too—think Yelp and Digg where you share your interests and like and dislikes of business, services and products. How to do Internet Evangelism Engage in Forums. Seek out chat rooms and forums that have your interests and where you can contribute positively. Never be negative, argumentative, or hurtful Do not slam Scripture down at people, Be a friend, listen and encourage and offer help. If it is too much, seek help. How to do Internet Evangelism Social Media Strategy – promoting your ministry. Develop a comprehensive social media strategy creation to promote your church or ministry. Have a program, like a parents-night-out, movie night, seminar on budgeting, résumé writing, or marriage help; find a need and fill it. How to do Internet Evangelism Social Media Strategy – promoting your ministry. Remember be careful what you say and how you say it! Never spam, give bad information, give personal or cyber attacks and unwanted content. Also, make sure peoples needs are responded too. Internet Evangelism! Why should we embrace internet evangelism? Because, it is evangelism. Because, He Lives! Because, the Holy Spirit lives and works in us as an enabler to help, guide, and empower us so we can receive, know, and obey God and His decrees! (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:21) Internet Evangelism! The principle of love, which is the essence of the Gospel! Christ, must impact us so we are influenced by His love, that we ponder upon it, … So, become energized by it, and it flows no matter what. We can reach out in His Name for His glory! Internet Evangelism! www.internetevangelismday.com www.globalmediaoutreach.com www.greatcommission2020.com www.churchleadership.org www.itwgroup.org Template Provided By www.animationfactory.com 500,000 Downloadable PowerPoint Templates, Animated Clip Art, Backgrounds and Videos © 2012, R.J. Krejcir, Ph.D., Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development www.churchleadership.org/