I am encouraged by two trends. One is related to world evangelization. The other to how the implementation of New Media is being fit into the picture.

Each was put under a national spotlight recently in Orlando, FL.

Missions & Media

The first positive trend is a renewed focus and passion for the Great Commission.

At their annual meeting June 16-17, the Southern Baptist Convention adopted the recommendations of its Great Commission Resurgence Task Force. The result was a decision to become more aggressive in presenting the gospel to “underserved and unreached people in North America and around the world.”

“We are a Great Commission people,” said Ronnie Floyd, Chairman of the task force.

It’s exciting to see God’s renewing energy at work in America’s largest Protestant denomination. This will be an example to denominations, churches, pastors and Christians everywhere for years to come.

The second trend that excites me is the new focus of national Christian organizations on how to think biblically about New Media and how to use it for advancing the kingdom.

While technology wasn’t featured at the SBC event, as if by design, one day later, it was the focus of the Pre-conference for Ligonier Ministries’ National Conference.

In his talk “The Brave New World Of New Media,” Ed Stetzer said,

For Christians…to not use [New Media] for the agenda that God has for such tools is problematic at best and irresponsible at worst.

The great challenge

There has always been hyperbole associated with the Digital Revolution. But it is no exaggeration to say that technology has been woven into every aspect of our lives.

That is not going to change. It’s roots will grow deeper.

What can and must change is for Christian leaders to come together to prayerfully consider how to respond “to the most fundamental shift in terms of human relatedness since the development of written language and the development of the printing press,” as one speaker put it in Orlando.

• To determine how to bring the Internet and all emerging technologies under the Lordship of Christ.
• To determine how to effectively integrate the most appropriate technologies with existing efforts to reach this and future generations with the gospel. Until the whole world hears.

That is a great challenge facing the church in this time.

God is in the distance closing business

The distance between where the church is in its mission today [the people that remain unreached / least reached by the Gospel], and where it wants to be [all people reached] … 2.74 billion people.

The distance between the two recent conversations in Orlando — one about the possibilities for completing the Great Commission, and one about the possibilities for using New Media to carry out God’s agenda … 8 miles.

Metaphorically speaking for the church at large, my prayer is that by this time next year the 8 mile distance is closed. The vision is to see the two discussions brought together, putting New Media and innovative technology initiatives on the front lines of reaching the unreached.

When I consider the distance closing synergy that God can bring from a Spirit-filled church, purposefully united in using New Media to proclaim the gospel, the finish line to the Great Commission is truly in sight.

Question: What trends do you see for the use of the Internet and technology for evangelism and gut-level personal ministry?

The article was a call for every believer to consider helping respond to the astounding number of people searching for God online, 80 to 90 percent outside the U.S.

Through the power of Internet technology, search-engine optimization techniques, and chiefly, the working of the Holy Spirit, online spiritual seekers are flocking to the ‘electronic’ front door of the church in unprecedented numbers.

25 reasons to help you consider getting involved in online missions

1. Two million people are going online every day to seek help with spiritual issues like loneliness, addictions, suicide, abuse, divorce, hopelessness. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37)

2. God has created a network to reach these searching hearts that are saying, “Please tell me about Jesus.” The Apostle Paul said, “By all possible means (the Internet) I might save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22)

3. Technology has made it possible to travel anywhere in the world without ever leaving home, even to the 64 countries, or about one-third of all nations, with “high or very high restrictions on religion.” (2009 Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life) “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)

4. You have a love for the lost and have always wanted to become more active in personal evangelism.

5. You don’t have to leave your job, take a vacation, go to seminary or raise thousands of dollars to share the Bible, pray, or conduct personal ministry with real people.

6. Any Christian using the Internet can do it — students, teachers, stay at home moms, pastors, business executives, farmers, doctors, soldiers.

7. Training is not difficult and can be done online from home on your own schedule.

8. You don’t have to know who is open to the gospel. Discipleship websites such as LookToJesus and iChristianLife.com and mobile sites share the basics of Christian growth, in multiple languages and then these new believers and seekers come to you ready to take the next step or with questions.

9. The ministry is personal and can go “very deep,” as evidenced by these actual questions and requests received by an online worker:

• “How can I know that God loves us?” M., Philippines
• “My wife was just diagnosed with incurable cancer and has 6 months to live. Please pray for us.” V., Indiana (USA)
• “I need Jesus so desperately. Indian hemp has taken over my life and I don’t know what to do. I believe it is only God that can rescue me from this bondage. I hope to hear some advice from you.” E., Nigeria
• “I’ve done many horrible things that I truly regret. How can I live without remembering them? Please help me. God bless you.” C., Kenya

10. You don’t have to be quick on your feet or be an expert in evangelism. You will have access to outstanding resources to help you respond like The Evangelism Toolbox, 226,018 Bible Questions Answered! and Search the Bible.

11. You will guide new believers into doing online Bible studies individually or encourage them to join a weekly online small group Bible study, and when possible, get them connected to other Christians and the church.

12. You will have the privilege of praying for those who are struggling and others who haven’t yet learned how to pray.

13. In your lifetime you would never be able to physically impact the amount of people you can reach online. (From Amanda Sims, LifeChurch.tv)

14. You will join a community of workers doing online ministry from all over the U.S. and world…exchange online evangelism techniques, share stories of God at work and pray for one another.

15. You will be encouraged by personal testimonies from fellow online workers:

“I’m enjoying being able to serve the Lord in this way. He has blessed me by giving me this and other ministries which I can do despite my erratic, chronic health issues. I am thankful that I usually have part of each day when I can sit at the computer.” Helen

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to be an online missionary. Some of us from our church are praying that we and others can be instrumental in generating much enthusiasm, participation and support, not only at our church but all over our city, the U.S. and even other countries.” Judy

“We see bits and pieces of struggles that people are going through and then think, “Wow this is who God is entrusting to me.” It has really helped me to see a bigger picture in life and do more in other ministries also.” Fred

“I really feel so blessed to have this tool every day. What could I do that’s more important than this? And I do it while eating raspberries in the comfort of my kitchen while a load of laundry is drying. Amazing, so amazing.” Margaret

16. It’s a way to balance out recreational uses of technology with redemptive ones.

17. It’s safe! No one sees your e-mail address and no one can send you spam. It only takes a few minutes a day to respond to an email inquiry.

18. It’s one of the most cost effective evangelism approaches ever developed, enabling you to help churches that have been forced to reduce giving to missions and missionaries due to the current economic crisis. (See the Barna Group report.)

19. You will deepen your own understanding of foundational truths and strengthen your confidence for talking to others about your faith.

20. The world is increasingly online and you believe the future of ministry must include some form of digital missions to stay relevant.

21. You could be the catalyst for getting an online missions program started in your church.

22. Your pulse quickens at the idea of partnering with media ministries using cutting-edge technology to share the gospel worldwide through video, text, and mobile phones, in multiple languages.

23. It concerns you to know that if Christians aren’t online to answer the questions of spiritual seekers and to tell them about Jesus, they are vulnerable to false teachings and other destructive forces.

24. The digital “Roman road” has been built and will soon connect everyone on earth, making it conceivable that you are in the generation that will complete the Great Commission.

25. The first ten individuals to contact Global Media Outreach at (281) 255-4878 to learn more about implementing an online missions program at your church will receive a free copy of NetCasters: Using the Internet to Make Fishers of Men by Craig von Buseck (B&H Publishing Group). A simple “thank you” for taking a serious look at one of the most exciting global outreach opportunities your church will consider this year. Just send me an email once someone from your church has spoken to a representative.

The Great Commission leaves no one out

The Matthew 28 mandate, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,” doesn’t leave anyone out.

All nations must certainly include the nations and people that can be reached online.

If you are a kingdom minded person and can see yourself going online, receiving e-mail and the Holy Spirit of God sending you someone He is already at work in for you to personally minister to, then you have the best reason of all to consider becoming an online missionary.

On May 4, 2010, I became an online missionary with Global Media Outreach. In that short amount of time, it has been my privilege to personally connect with 100 new believers and seekers from 32 countries, 11 identified as “sensitive countries.” I had the awesome and humbling opportunity to answer the questions and requests noted in Reason 9.

Internet evangelism doesn’t replace other methods of sharing the gospel and isn’t for everyone. But, let me assure you of four things as you pray and consider online missions. (1) If you have a heart for the Lord and use the Internet, you can be an online missionary. (2) You will touch real lives. (3) The Spirit will help you respond. (4) God will bless you.

Question: What reason(s) would motivate you or your church to incorporate web evangelism into fulfilling the Great Commission and Great Commandment.

I’ve witnessed the missionary zeal of online ministry enthusiasts for the unsaved and unchurched. There is an awesome power in the shared beliefs of the churches, ministries and individuals engaged in online missions.

Ten Shared Beliefs

1. Above all, people engaged in online missions are passionately committed to the Great Commission Matthew 26:18-20 and the Great Commandment Matthew 22:36-40.

People engaged in online missions also believe:

2. The Digital Revolution represents a global shift (in everything). Every institution is being affected — businesses, the courts, schools, churches. It’s changing how we communicate, how we influence and how we relate. Responding to this massive shift will take changes in organizational structure, operations and tactics. They believe having a cool website isn’t enough.

3. Connecting the entire world online represents a God-given opportunity. 1.8 Billion people are online now, representing 26% of the world’s population. 67% of the world’s population are mobile subscribers. By 2015 there will be WiFi everywhere on the face of the earth. God has brought forth the tools to reach every man, woman and child on earth with the gospel. They believe it is their responsibility to take advantage of the opportunity.

4. Online ministry is a priority. Web and New Media platforms are considered a critical part of ministry activity and the future. They believe good programs may have to be discontinued to free up people and resources for new online initiatives.

5. Millions of people are searching for God online. The data says two million people a day are searching the Internet for answers to spiritual questions. Many are not being reached with the truth about Jesus Christ, leaving seekers vulnerable to other well-organized and well-funded religions also online. They believe spiritual warfare extends to online ministry and are determined to see that no seeker is left in the water unreached.

6. Anyone can go to the online mission field on any day. Witnessing to people in every country on earth no longer requires major fundraising, immunizations, passports or plane trips. Intentional outreach strategies bring people to the front door. They believe God has created a pathway perfectly suited for every believer to share their faith and to get better at it.

7. Technology has made it possible to conduct effective discipleship online. Discipleship websites and mobile sites, homegrown or brought in house through partnerships, help share the basics of Christian growth to new and recommitting believers, in multiple languages. They believe in using these tools to help people grow in their faith and to get them physically connected with a local group of believers.

8. The Internet gives a new way of targeting specific groups on a worldwide basis. From unreached people groups around the world, to teens in the U.S., a large number of them can be reached online. The pull nature of the Web (pulling down the information wanted), allows content to be created that will interest each target group and answer felt needs.  They believe this paves the way for a clear and understandable presentation of the Gospel.

9. Working together and combining resources will accelerate growth of the Church online. There is always the challenge of working through denominational differences, strategy and ministry preferences and personal styles. The rallying cry is, “We can fulfill the Great Commission in our lifetime.” They believe that greater cooperation on evangelism is possible as Christ leads and unifies.

10. The mission of the local church must extend to the world online. They do not believe the mandate to “Go into the whole world and preach the gospel” stops at the digital border.

Those involved in online missions understand that the changes taking place in global communication are going to continue. I would imagine some of them believe the church is at risk for falling further behind without greater engagement.

I can hear a plea for churches, ministries and individuals to pray and to ask God if He’s calling them to engage in online missions.

Review the list again.

It still may be a challenge to take it all in. But there is an awesome power to be found through the shared beliefs of those already engaged in the battle through online missions. Particularly so, when those beliefs originate out of a common Christian heritage and are executed in partnership with the Holy Spirit.

Question: Do you share in any of these beliefs? What other beliefs about online missions could be added to the list?

But, the future of the most influential evangelistic platform the world has ever known is not guaranteed.

This is truly a unique moment.

On the one hand, these are days of unprecedented opportunity for the Church. Tremendous new communication technologies are rapidly moving the entire world toward wireless, “always on” connectivity. God has given His people the media tools to reach every man, woman and child on earth for Jesus Christ, even in countries closed to conventional means of preaching the gospel.

On the other hand, there is fierce opposition. Dr. Frank Wright, President of the National Religious Broadcasters, has said, “The forces arrayed against the proclamation of the gospel seem better organized, more focused, and more determined than at any time in memory.”

Christian warriors

How should Christian media warriors handle this opposition to proclaiming the hope of Christ?

The evangelistic work of the first Christian soldiers was constantly threatened.

“They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and put them in jail.” (Acts 4:2-3)

How did those early Christians respond?

“On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.” (Acts 4:23-24)

They prayed!

The lessons and courage of the first followers of Christ has been an example for believers facing perilous times ever since.

Pastor E.M. Bounds was just beginning his calling as a pastor when the Civil War broke out. He said…

Prayer must diffuse all effort, impregnate all ventures, decide all issues. The Christian soldier must be as intense in his praying as in his fighting, for his victories will depend much more on his praying than on his fighting. E.M. Bounds

Pessimists or optimists

Someone has said that the difference between a pessimist & an optimist is that a pessimist sees a problem in every opportunity. But an optimist sees an opportunity in every problem. Whenever the children of God have faced great adversity in advancing the gospel, they’ve also had great opportunity. None greater than the opportunity to pray.

We are living in another of those crucial spiritual moments.

Sustaining churches and ministries using media for God’s work will take great commitment, great resources and great sacrifice.  It will take innovative ideas, bold strategies and new business models.

It will take leaders following in the footsteps of the “men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.” (1 Chronicles 12:32)

It will take Christians getting out of the pews and into the battle.

It will take Christians everywhere willing to pray with one heart and one mind, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:29)

As it was in the 1st century, so it can be again in the 21st century, when “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

Let this sacred occasion, the 59th Annual National Day of Prayer, be a reminder that the greatest opportunity for doing God’s work is to call on Him together in prayer.

The future of Christian media depends on it.

Question: Will you pray that God will raise up the people and resources needed to fulfill the Great Commission in this generation using radio, television, film, the Internet and all emerging communication technologies?

In my experience, five factors are essential for starting a collaboration. One stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Five essential factors

1. An urgent need, commonly shared. People need a compelling reason to join with others in a grand mission. Working together in some great cause gives the effort meaning and purpose.
2. An understanding of the situation. Solid, reliable information is crucial to developing an effective plan.
3. A willingness to share resources. Sharing knowledge and assets leads to “win-win” strategies.
4. Trust. Everyone has a voice in the process. Competitiveness and personal agendas are set aside. Trust helps build consensus and is essential to maintaing good relationships.
5. Prayer. The Scriptures always portray God’s interaction with His people through prayer in the midst of great endeavors.

The most important factor

My favorite story of people working together in the Bible is the rebuilding of the walls in Jerusalem. It comes from the book of Nehemiah, named after the leader of this massive reconstruction project.

Nehemiah was a Hebrew and royal cupbearer to a foreign king when word comes to him that the wall of Jerusalem is in ruin.

“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 1:4

What was Nehemiah’s first response to this huge challenge? He prays. Gut wrenching prayer that went on for days. It was a prayer of confession. An acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty over the lives of the people and the situation at hand. In his prayer, Nehemiah also asked for the Lord’s help and blessing on the next step. Then, he waited four months for God to open the door.

Prayer made a huge difference in how things went throughout the process. Nehemiah led the people in prayer for creativity, for protection, for perseverance, for courage, for strength, for unity and for faith.

Prioritizing prayer and trusting God gave Nehemiah and the people extraordinary confidence to believe…

The God of heaven will give us success.” (Nehemiah 2:20)

And he did. God helped them rebuild the wall in a record 52 days.

First things

Carrying out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) is the most pressing global challenge facing the Church today.

As discussed in this post, for the first time in history, God has given the Church technologies to complete the mission in our lifetime.

Even so, it will take unprecedented levels of coordination, cooperation and collaboration to take maximum advantage of the tools.

Exploring the collaboration option requires consideration of the many essential factors necessary for successful alliances. Like Nehemiah, seeking the God of all wisdom through prayer should be the top priority. It will be the single greatest contributor to success.

If God has more – 52 day like – record achievements waiting for His people, the process will begin with prayer.

Note: Global Media Outreach is the Internet ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. You can read more about how they integrate prayer with their local church partnership strategy in “Internet Evangelism: The Local Church Solution.”

Question: What other factors should be considered for Great Commission collaboration?