It has been observed that no behavior of any kind occurs unless there are three ingredients:
Means. Motive. Opportunity.
Routinely in the news, we hear about these three aspects of committing a crime.
It is interesting that these same three ingredients are essential to innovation, experimentation and change.
Presently, key factors are aligning and shifting the way technology is used in communicating the gospel.
The Means. There was a time when only a limited number of Christian organizations knew how to leverage technology for outreach. Not anymore.
Everything needed to do successful ministry in the digital world is in place.
Technology. Processes. Systems.
Candidly, a fairly significant number of churches and parachurch ministries have become working laboratories for conducting digital ministry. We have been learning from them for several years. In some cases, their innovative work rivals platforms being deployed in the business world.
Some may not possess the means outright in their organizations, but the assets exist. They can be acquired or partnerships formed with those who have them.
Some may not have the people inside with the skills to manage the IT it takes. There are individuals and organizations nearby willing to share nowledge, experiences and best practices from their various internet projects.
Others may still be warming up to make their first real foray into digital ministry. Low-risk pilot tests or prototypes are very doable. Small projects can help discover what works best in any ministry or business situation.
The means for transforming digital ministry are there. Not only that, God has provided a Helper to get the job done.
The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything. John 14:26
The Motive. Technology has made the world smaller. People with a spiritual hunger in their hearts are roaming the Web in search of a compelling message for facing today’s challenges.
The founder of a leading evangelistic web evangelism ministry told me recently, “It is so easy now, to share the gospel with people online. That motivates me.”
A community of people can be reached and engaged in real and meaningful conversation. Communication can be translated into trust, spiritual growth, and face-to-face contact with local believers. Everywhere I turn these days, I see strong examples of people that are doing the daily work of the gospel online solely as a labor of love.
Those who tell the message about Christ out of love know that God has put us here to defend the Good News. Philippians 1:16
The Opportunity. A fitting definition of opportunity for our purposes: the moment of action when a situation emerges that allows means and motive to join for initiative and execution of leadership behaviors.
Consider this. Facebook’s latest monthly user milestone of 750 million people squashes speculation that its growth is slowing. An average 4 billion items, from videos to news stories and recommendations, are shared on Facebook every day. The amount of content being shared has doubled since this time last year and, predictions are it will double again by this time next year.
Dionne Forster noted, “social networking is showing that persons value trusted sources, authoritative voices, and services that can help them find what is necessary and valuable.” The doors for sharing the gospel online have been blasted open.
Ingredients combining well
Everything is coming together for transforming digital ministry: means, motive, and opportunity. All that remains is for your organization to have a digital champion that unlocks capacity, helps lead, and inspires others to engage people online with the love of Jesus.
Failing to make the necessary shifts for digital outreach is not a crime, of course. But it would be sad to have the means, motive, and opportunity, and still miss out on one of the most important communication (and community forming) technologies of our time.
That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed. Ecclesiastes 10:10