Technology in Ministry - Are You In?

I’d like to introduce you to the 3rd largest country in the world – Facebook. In population, Facebook has officially just passed up the USA. While this may seem irrelevant, the truth is that much of the world has become an internet-dwelling people. An evolution has occurred in the way people communicate and how they spend their time. While it used to be extremely effective to advertize a gospel-meeting at your local congregation, people today what to know upfront what's in it for them – why should they pencil such a meeting into their busy schedule?

The reality is, if they are looking for the information, it is at their fingertips. They don't have to suffer any of the discomforts of a new environment full of new faces – they can Google anything they desire to know from the comfort of their own home. As of September 2009, worldwide internet users reached over 1.7 billion people. The statistics on which age groups use it the most probably won't surprise you; the newest generation has not even needed to learn the art of using the internet – it's their first language. So how are we as ministers of the gospel going to respond to these changes?

This is the focus of our Ministry Technology class. Our first assignment was to add 100 friends to our Facebook accounts by the end of the quarter. Why? Not because they need to know that I've just finished brushing my teeth. But because Bible verses in status updates are seen by literally hundreds of Christians and non-believers alike. Because people are coming to Christ by seeing the way Christians interact with each other simply by observing them online. Does Satan use the internet? Certainly. But that is all the more reason to understand how we can use it for God's glory. People have set up barriers that simply didn't exist 50 years ago. Front porches no longer exist in some areas; people pull into their garage and we don't see them again. We need to know how we are going to get behind those barriers and reach people, get them to our website, and teach them the gospel!

Our next assignment is to begin blogs with a spiritual, encouraging focus to our writing. Please take some time to check our posts and maybe follow us on Twitter. If you're not our friend on Facebook, please look us up! Suggest us to others. Meet some of our friends. It's all about spreading the gospel, and the more lives you encounter, the more you can touch. If you have questions about how to do this effectively, send us an email at DavidAndKeeley@Live.com. See you online.

David's blog: SpiritualPreparedness.wordpress.com
Keeley's blog: WifeofaPreacher.wordpress.com

MALAWI UPDATE

We now have approximate dates!
We will be leaving on Wednesday, June 30th to arrive in Malawi on Friday, July 2nd. It is not certain yet whether we will fly to London then getting a connection Malawi or if there will be a straight flight from Atlanta, as there sometimes are. For our return trip, we will be home on Tuesday, July 27th since Wayne has shortened his trip to 3 weeks. Generally, each class goes for one month, but since Wayne is doing something special it will not require the full four weeks.

More updates to come!! - Keeley