UPDATE 12/15/09: Click HERE to Download the .pdf of Church 2.0 – Online Outreach (All Three Parts)
- Does ‘Go ye into all the world,’ include the internet? (Church Outreach 2.0 – 1 of 3)
- The Internet as a Mission Field – Is Anyone Searching for Your Ministry? (Church Outreach 2.0 – 2 of 3)
- Moving from ‘Self Promotion’ to ‘Outreach’ Online (Church Outreach 2.0 – 3 of 3)
The following is part of a series on Web 2.0 for Christians, and Christian Leaders. See Church 2.0 for a list of the posts to-date.
Update 12/13/09: See the response from Dwight Baker, The Mission is for Those That Have Passion
My heart sank yesterday as I received yet another e-mail from yet another Christian friend of mine announcing that he was retreating from the “evils” of the internet. This time, it was a pastor, and this time the “evil” was Google. I don’t know what his specific reasons were – I’m sure they were good ones. Google is, after all, on a mission to commandeer the world’s information. Others I know have simply hired virtual assistants to handle their “internet stuff” for themselves and their churches so they don’t have to “go there,” any more than is absolutely necessary. Many I know refuse to even use the web for anything more than e-mail, explaining that it’s just “too dangerous.”
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. -Mark 16:15-20 (KJV)
Google and every other wildly-successful tech company is operated and financed by raging liberal, humanistic, secular progressives. Am I the only one who finds this odd, considering that most of these tech companies are based in the United States, which is still over 75% Christian? Perhaps it should not be surprising, considering our government, which is ostensibly elected by and for “the people” is also overwhelmingly run by raging liberal, humanistic, secular progressives.
Of course, the web is not an American phenomenon – it’s worldwide. Communist China now has more people using the web than does the United States, and American tech companies are catering to them.
Just as a quick reminder, Communism is not an ideal setting for the lifestyle we’re accustomed to here in the U.S. (see Communist Body Count). So why in the world are we willingly turning over the something like the internet, which impacts nearly every area of our lives – finances, education, government, communication, information archiving, etc. – to people who hate us?
Yes, yes, I know – nearly every church in the U.S. now has a website. That’s awesome. Some have even been sold a so-called “SEO package” by whoever built their website, which does nothing more than promote the name of the pastor and the name of the church online – so all of the members of that church can find their own website – Woo-hoo!
But how many times lately have you gone looking for information you needed on current events, and found a church (or even a Christian-oriented) website on the front page of the search engine results? Go ahead – try it. Search for 2012 on your favorite search engine. Or how about issues involving physical, emotional or mental health? Maybe finances? History? Those of us who attend church know our pastors and church leaders are knowledgeable and care deeply about these issues…but someone browsing the web would NOT know that.
Who’s fault is this? I know a lot of folks would like to blame Google, but I blame Christians and our lazy, wimpy excuses. Of course the web is godless. It’s going to stay that way if all of the people of God continue to effectively boycott it. Technology is a tool. If we don’t use it, someone else is going to – and they are.
Also see: Why Conservatives Need to Geek-Up, Part One, Part Two, Part Three
Welcome to the new Church 2.0 category on Ft. Hard Knox. Here, you will find great resources for any Christian wanting to become more effective in online activism, especially in Church outreach.
If you haven’t already, be sure to download our free .pdf file on Church 2.0.
Finally, if you use a feed reader, you’ll want to add FHK’s Church 2.0 feed to your reading list!
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December 12th, 2009 - 9:30 pm
Chin up troop!
signed,
A Ben Franklin Deist
December 12th, 2009 - 10:27 pm
AMEN – Jenn!
Retreat & lose. NO! Let us yield no ground to Satan and his minions be it on Earth, in Space or in Cyberspace. Arthur Blessed was considered a fanatic for carrying the cross across America and then the world. Why did he do it? Because Christ was a willing to go to that Cross. And before doing so He hung out with those who – sinners. He did not come into the world to save the righteous but the sinner. And hiding behind church wall fails in the command of Christ to go into all the world and to preach (share) the Gospel (good news).
I say if you are a believer, don’t hide the fact (unless you are indeed a hypocrite). Hang it out there and maybe someone might just watch you and ask you where you have your hope and then you can share the good news. Let them judge you and by God’s grace may they see that even with all your failings, you have peace because of the Hope that is in you.
If you are afraid you might suffer because you are identified as a Christian, indeed you will first suffer in fear and eventually in making the choice to to either reject Him who saved you or to proclaim him and indeed join us all in the fate (be it easy or difficult) that He alone has determined for us. Christ promised us tribulation. But he also promised to be with us even until the end of the earth.
I am no self professed saint but I am indeed a saint. Not by works, not by deeds but by the precious blood of Christ that covered my multitude of sins and made me His friend and allowed by Father God to claimed me as his sinless son because my name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Let the Internet ring out with praise to His Holy name.
Jesus Christ – Lord of lords, King of kings.
God bless all fellow believers during this special time of year as we recall God’s Gift to us.
Dr. Bill (Internet name: Ozark Guru)
Heavenly name: [Yet to be revealed by God - but I know when I stand before Him, it will fit me perfectly]
December 13th, 2009 - 4:28 am
Hi Lady. I think the ning is one way to go. We could all use one (each) from there, plus we would have (or could make our own) Twitter thingy (#fhn). They have a running twitter menu (I think). Have a great Sunday!
December 13th, 2009 - 4:34 am
Oh boy, I feel stupid. I was answering your email as to where you think we should take the next step in social programs to get our message(s) out. *blush*
As for the discussion, if there is only group in the swamp, they will thrive. Mother nature (GOD) never meant for us to back away from anything because of its wickedness. Rather, we are mighty warriors! If we don’t lead, if we don’t show by example, if we don’t discuss openly, WHO WILL? The Left? HAHAHA. Good one…God bless everyone, especially our troops and first responders.
December 13th, 2009 - 10:22 am
December 13th, 2009 - 10:24 am
Thank you, Dr. Bill! Great message.
December 13th, 2009 - 10:27 am
Ha ha ha…no problem, Rosemary – we’re getting some great responses to the question on where to host the primary discussion forum from everywhere. A Twitter hashtag is an idea that hasn’t been suggested yet. We do have one that we used a while back – #libhippos (liberal hypocrites)…with limited success. Perhaps we could have one for conservative 2.0 (#con20 or similar). Hmmm…interesting thought.
Good thoughts on leadership, too…thanks!
December 21st, 2009 - 12:18 am
As you know Jenn, you would not want a suggestion for a forum from me. I haven’t a clue. Sometimes I feel going to a separate forum is just one more thing to do. Not to mention that I have to remember to go there, before I can:-) I know, however, that I can rely on you to figure this out.
I do not think Christians should retreat from the Internet. As Dr. Bill said, “yield no ground to Satan.”
I love the idea of your new post series.
December 23rd, 2009 - 8:34 pm
Thanks, Maggie, and of course we want your suggestions! You’re one of the most formidable bloggers on the right!
You have a good point about “one more thing.” That’s been mentioned a few times (in other discussion threads), and we’re definitely taking that into consideration.
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