|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Technology can Help Spread the Gospel: Part 2 |
|
| |
On a previous blog I talked about how I grew up during the Atari age and how at the time it was cutting edge technology. I pointed out that over the years our world has made many technological advances since then, and for the church to be relevant, it would need to upgrade from an Atari to a Play Station 3.
To be sure, many people that may be reading this blog may be in different stages of the technological revolution. Some may be new to the game and are on the level of say a Play Station 1. Others like me, who did not grow up in the technological or cyberspace age, but have attempted to keep up somewhat regarding technology, may find themselves on a Play Station 2 level. Still others are on a Play Station 3 level, while a few have the technological savvy of a Play Station 4 that has yet to appear on the market. Nonetheless, we all, to some extent, have utilized technology to further the Gospel.
The technological revolution is here and it is imperative that the Church respond appropriately in order to use this advancement for the glory of God. Undeniably, there are many positives impacts of technology that have been made. In particular, there has been the impact of computers. Here are a few examples to consider.
- People within the Church around the world will find it easier to keep-in-touch.
- The free flow of information may bring about the destruction of closed societies such as those supported by Islam.
- Electronic publishing will make it easier and cheaper for the Church to communicate with an audience of hundreds of millions.
- Computer-assisted translation will bring the Gospel and Christian teaching to a worldwide audience.
- Data banks containing the world’s knowledge base may facilitate a review of the history of the Church and encourage Christians to think more deeply about their beliefs.
- Computer-Aided Instruction will help the Church reach both those within and without the Church with high quality courseware.
Computers, however, are not the only technological advancement that has made a significant impact for God’s Kingdom. Here are a few examples that George Barna gives regarding the impact of some of the other uses of technology.
- More than two-thirds of the born again public - and well over 90% of evangelicals - have exposure to Christian media each month. Nearly half of all non-born again adults use Christian media during a typical month. Even a significant share of the unchurched market - more than one-third - utilizes these resources.
- Christian radio also reaches many adults who do not attend church. One-quarter of all unchurched Americans (23%) listen to Christian radio in a typical month. That represents a nationwide audience of 17 million adults who do not attend a church.
- The percentage of adults who watch Christian television programming has remained unchanged since 1992, with an estimated 45% tuning in to a Christian program during a typical month.
- A decade ago, faith-related websites were not on the radar screen of Americans. That is changing in hurry, however. Today, one out of every six adults (16%) spends some time visiting faith-oriented websites during a typical month. This is especially common among evangelicals: 41% visit such sites, compared to 18% of all other born again Christians and 10% of non-born again Americans.
What I would like to do is start a dialogue on how technology can be used to further the Gospel. I would like the focus to be on how it can make an impact beyond the church service. One of the great aspects of the My Church community is the opportunity to share knowledge and learn from one another. Maybe someone may be able to help me upgrade to a Play Station 3. |
|
| To leave a comment or start your own blog: |
 |
or |
 |
Already a member? Login |
|
|
|
|
Hello Tim
This site in itself is a wonderful example of how technology can be utilized for people to communicate, encourage and get to know each other. Less than a month ago and I now have at least 8 new friends from different parts of the world that I could not possibly have met any other way. Absolutely agreed, modern technology (Internet) is a marvellous medium for both growth and communication. |
|
|
Denise |
 |
August 31, 2007 at 4:39am |
|
| I agree too Pastor Tim and with Beverley as well, this site in itself is wonderful. So much support from special friends everywhere, and ways tell of our own experiences and maybe help someone else through a rough time. Technology, thought ovewhelming to me at times is wonderful. |
|
|
GERVIS |
|
August 31, 2007 at 6:21am |
|
3:3 A time to put to death and a time to make well; a time for pulling down and a time for building up;
We all need to be builders of people!We need to build each other up,and never put each other down. |
|
|
Pastor Tim I stand in agreement with your message, because I know we are not of this world but we live in it, and I belive our God put technology and every means of communicate here on earth at this time for us sanits the church to use to glorfiy his name and to spread the gospel of Jesus to lead people to christ. Pastor Tim when I was a child they did not have all this technology or when my children either but my Grands are on level 4. God is never late always on time and the time is now |
|
|
Pastor Tim,
Get ready, your playstation 3 is closer than you think. I'm a talker, writing is challenging for me, because my mind runs faster than my fingers. Allow me to explain: like Denise and Beverly already expressed, just the mere fact that we are communicating says it all, as it relates to technology. I believe God, he created everything, yes even technology. Therefore as one of His children, I have the obligation to use whatever is available to me to spread the Good News.
I grew up and still live in the urban jungle, NYC. If ever there was a need to reach out and "grab" it is here. We have "churches" on every block, mega, large, medium and storefront, yet we have too much isolation and not nearly enough fellowship among each other, caught up in "denom-inations." Many of our young people today are not finding the church today revelant and as far as I'm concerned, while too many of us are seeking "prosperity" we have allowed our children to be sacraficed to Baal. "Our children" are taken captive by technology, while most of the people in my world are clueless.
So my husband and I are teaching, in several areas. We are encouraging the adults to use their computers; i.e., my mom who is 65+ now knows how to check her computer, read her email and get her "word". Btw, she just called me wanting to know where is today's message. Praise God!
We now have people bringing their laptops to bible study. We are teaching them how to use the study tools available on the internet. Our bible study is at 7:30am each Saturday. I believe that more people would study the bible if they are taught how to study and how to understand it.
Then there is our "E-Telecast" that we started in January of this year. Who knew? The Lord gave me the vision and I stepped out on faith. We started with an email list of 20 people, sending them a daily video and within 2 months, our email list grew to more than 500, all because of technology. I had no choice but to put up a website: word4utvdotcom.
The first week of June, I received 3 emails asking why were'nt we podcasting? I didn't know what podcasting was. I didn't know what an ipod was, seriously. June 1st was my birthday, and guess what hubbie gave me, an ipod. Well, that was proof enough for me....
We started podcasting the last week in June of this year, and it is now the last day of August, and we have received more than 4,000 episodes requests. Who they are, where they are, I don't have a clue, but somebody, somewhere is listening.
Pastor Tim, God is up to something!
If you or anyone is interested in the "how-to's" just send me an email.
Oh one more thing..... I've never had any training or classes in any of this tech stuff, the Holy Spirit is an awesome teacher!
Pastor Aminata
|
|
|
| A well thought out and well researched blog. Praise God! |
|
|
| The LORD really is using cybersapce in communicating the gospel. I appreciate the fact that you mentioned radio and TV. Recently Godtv has come to my attention, and it seems God is reaching people in Asia with this medium. Closed countries all over the world are opening up through these sources of media. Jesus said that the gospel will be preached in every nation (did he mean among every people group?), and then the end will come. With all these advances with Technology, and the utilization of these resources to promote the gospel, I think we are much hastening the time of our Lord's return, and the consummation of his will. And never before until now have all the end-time prophecies been able to be fulfilled. These are most certainly exciting times, as we desperately await the coming of our King and our Savior! Amen. Come Lord Jesus. |
|
|
1. Website technology makes the Gospel available to non-believers in a relevant, accessible format around the world. Here is a website called "EveryStudent.com", sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ. It has articles about campus life, VIDEO testimonies from other students, answers to common questions and objections about Christianity, and links to similar evangelistically-oriented sites in 19 different languages. many people have put together such sites, with varying formats, to bring the Gospel into the modern Mars Hill of ideas. Here is a GREAT website called "Jesus: Fact or Fiction", with video testimonies covering almost every possible objection imaginable, with commentary from experts on history, archaeology, and Biblical translation. The entire collection is available on a DVD of the same name, that includes the entire 'Jesus" movie.
2. The Internet makes resources available to draw seekers and encourage believers. Here is a link to "Christian Internet TV", a website based in a local church in Florida that includes links to online Christian music stations and music content, live and archived video feeds for Christian events, sermons, and study resources.
3. The Internet makes a wide variety of resources available to Christians for serious study and growth. Bible gateway is a wonderful site, offering the complete Bible in 21 different English versions, 31 other modern languages, plus the original Greek and Hebrew, all in searchable formats. If you need to check something online, compare translations, or link to a Bible passage or whole chapter in the translation of your choice, this website makes it possible. Also, the Internet Christian Library has made available online the complete writings of most of the early church fathers since 1993. You can access and download free of charge texts of the writings of the Who's-Who in early Christianity: Origin, Tertullian, Augustine, all the early creeds, and even Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica. The same group has compiled a list of links to other resources and Christian books available online for serious Bible and historical study.
4. Technology makes available research and answers for common questions and objections to Christianity. Ever have a friend at school, a co-worker at the office, or a total stranger online challenge your faith and not have an answer for them? The Web makes available a ton of resources for answering common objections - everything from the historicity of Jesus and the accuracy of the Bible, to those lists of supposed Bible contradictions. The Internet has become 'apologetic heaven' for making available resources and links to answer skeptics' tough questions, or just building us up as we review the assurdness of our foundation. Here is a link to questions and answers to common questions from Josh McDowell's website. Here is a link to Lee Strobel's website (author of "The Case for Christ", "The Case for a Creator", "The Case for Easter", "The Case for Faith", etc.), and a large selection of video excerpts answering apologetic questions.
5. The Internet makes possible instant communications for prayer and praise. My blog here on MyChurch included a prayer request in the live-updates I posted for our church's missions trip to New Orleans. Because of an outreach we had planned, we needed good weather - but it had started to rain. I sent voice_in_DC (my husband) the prayer request by text on my cell phone. Fifteen minutes later he added our prayer request to the blog. Fifteen minutes after that, it stopped raining in New Orleans. I am sure hundreds of people reading this right now were praying for the safe release of the Korean missionaries who had been captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Because the news was made available to us, we could pray, and God answered those prayers - all the remaining hostages were released.
6. The Internet brings us into contact with people we might never otherwise meet. I can pray for you, and you can pray for me. We can interact with tens of thousands of people on other forums as well. We can encourage each other, pray for each other, testify to each other, build each other up in faith.
7. Computer technology is aiding Bible Translation around the world. Soiftware for translation is increasiong the rate at which new Bible translations may be developed for indigenous people groups.
8. Technology is making the Gospel available to tribal peoples with no written language. In places with no written scriptures translated and printed yet, and areas with high illiteracy, Wycliffe and other groups are recording messages from Pastors in the native tribal dialects, and distributing cassettes and hand-wound cassette players (no batteries) to make Gospel teachings available. Radio is doing the same work in many areas closed to traditional missionaries, or other areas with high illiteracy rates.
9. Instant communication makes possible a new level of awareness and united action. When a new series of books for teens came out that was blasphemous, many of us were warned by reading reviews online. We can communicate with each other about proposed bills (like possible legalization of slots in Maryland) and take united action against it. We can alert each other about prayer gatherings, Christian rallies (like Jesus Revolution Now or The Call), and other events which are often only advertised by word of mouth and online. |
|
|
We should have no excuse! It's right in front of us, What will we do with it? Hmmm....
Great Blog! |
|
|
Thanks Pastor Tim for the insight on this amazing tool God has placed before us. I have realized how powerful this tool really is with my Daily Fortunes of Favor. The impact it has had on hundreds is amazing. When I noticed that in a matter of hours these blogs were being read by hundreds, I was astounded. Let's go global and shake the nations of the world, together.
Shalom, ~DR |
|
|
Thank you Dr. Thomas. I am too amazed at how much technology can impact God's Church as well as the advancement of God's Kingdom. It is truly amazing.
I also wanted you to know that I read your blogs and am blessed by them. Keep using your gift for God's Kingdom!
Pastor Tim |
|
|
| check out xxxchurch.com now that's using technology to help people find freedom through Jesus. |
|
|
Pastor Tim, Thankyou for posting a second blog on this subject. This is the most interesting blog I've encountered on myChurch to date. You mention other outreaches TV, radio, etc. however, I really see these as becoming more and more encompassed by the internet or even by the internet in combo with cellphones. For instance, look at the iphone. And what may rapidly outpace it in price and abilities the upcoming Gphone or Google phone. I see everything we have online as moving in the near future to the cellphone at a "reasonable" price. Right now these phones are aggravating to me, in that they see the net as an add-on. However, with Google entering the market there is a real possibility that the prices will drop drastically. Anyway, I think the key will be feedback loops such as you have on the internet. I know that the gospel overseas is still basically a push via TV into forbidden countries, oh, and radio. And, radio is an exception with the advent of the loop via talk radio. However, in time, I think the forbidden countries will also desire the feedback loops that the internet provides and ultimately technologies like Skype, GizmoProject, new forms of podcasting, etc. will prevail. I see basically TV and radio as encompassed by them and the web or, in the future, the web via cell phones/podcast technologies as the center of communications. Anyway, it is an exciting time to be alive. |
|
|
OMGosh, this is sooo on target AGAIN, Pastor Tim!!!
Btw, that triple x church is something else, in a GOD sorta way that is!! Isn't it ran by Hookers 4 Jesus? Well, that's a whole other topic....but still, it's taking the comfort & strength that you yourself have received from the Holy Spirit & giving it back to those from whom you came. PTL!!
Sorry, guilty of going off tangent....AGAIN!! lol
Marian
PS Hey speaking of friends....anyone wanna be mine??? ;) |
|
|
Brad, great site. Agree with Bill Hybels words regarding the site when he said, "These guys get it! They talk about pornography in a way people can relate to, get these guys to come to your church.”".
Recon, very good input. You are on a Play Station 4 level. I can learn a lot from you!
Chef, thanks for the complement. You are right about technology being a way to be used by the Holy Spirit. |
|
|
| I understand the jest of this I think. Obviously I read a lot of BLOGs on thes web site. I just hope this doesn't ultimately hurt church atendance. Awsome BLOG and awsome comments. |
|
|
Nothing will ever substitute for local "live" relationships and friendships which take time to develop and maintain. Nothing will ever substitute for one-on-one evangelism, real praise and worship services with spirit-led, insightful preaching and the joy of finding Christians who will truly care because you belong to their church family and have fellowshipped with them for years. It is sad to say that I have struck up wonderful friendships on the internet only to have them fade away into nothingness. There is a lack of commitment and shallowness to relationships through the internet, but for knowledge and sharing ideas it is as good as the telephone. My heart longs to utitlize all aspects of technology for the gospel in all the latest ways that were mentioned by people commenting...but it takes money for software and a good computer and I would really need to pay someone to get me set up and give me instruction on "How To". I may need to find Christians savvy in animation and computer programming and hire them to work with me to develop my ideas and "run with the ball." It is totally overwhelming to me, not that I'm using that as an excuse. You can get familiar with anything if you take it one step at a time. It is too vital an avenue for ministry not to go down it. And I have creative evangelistic ideas galore that I'd love to develop. So I'm waiting on the Lord to open the door of opportunity (which He's shown signs of happening)...and I will be faithful to go in when he does. One step at a time. Meanwhile, I'm working more hard than smart...but some of that research can be used later to more effect with technology, so it's not a wase of time. I 'm beginning to see the possiblities for God that He has opened up through the TECHNOLOGY EXPLOSION..." In the last days knowledge shall increase". I know where we will be looking to send our love gifts and offerings to...the people who are using technology in His Name and reaching MILLIONS that have never heard or cared before. Praise God! <:))))>< Connie Radomski |
|
|
| Connie, I undertsand your point and you are exatly right - nothing can substitute face to face relationships. However, people are online a lot and get a lot of their info that way. By utilizing technology one can engage in pre-evangelism and possibly eliminate some of the hindrances that person has regarding receiving Christ. Quite possibly the next person you or I win to Christ may have had their hearts transformed into furtile soil by someone else's podcast. |
|
|
Permit me to share a little something on how I have used the Internet (technology if you will) in my Small Group ladies bible study, & I didn't have to have a puter on hand to do so either. Well, initially I did (& still do, obviously! LOL). We've been going through Elizabeth George's study book on Proverbs 31, when we came across 2 different things that not many of us knew much about in this 21st century of life. The colors "purple" & "scarlet", and the word "distaff". I mean how many times have we blown right past those words not really knowing what in the world they truly meant, esp DISTAFF?!! So I quick went to work & researched them on the Net & came up with a couple of report folders on each topic complete w/downloaded printed off pics from the Net. (Each of them was about 5-8 pages long.) I was then able to share those folders with the ladies & we all got a clearer view on how hard this (Prov 31) woman worked. It encouraged & inspired us to say the least.
Like I said I didn't have the puter on hand at the time of the study, but I had used it PRIOR to it, & came bearing the "fruits of my labor".
Hope that puts some more "flesh" on the topic,
Marian |
|
|
| Well, I actually can't play video games at all, LOL. |
|
|
| OK I've seen some awsome edifying BLOGS... |
|
|
MaKelly |
|
September 02, 2007 at 10:53am |
|
I was truly impressed by the technology Pastor Ken is using on his site, so much so I ask him how does he do it, Now I know you seen it so Pastor Tim this is a great way to get Gods message across for our mychurch.org with your message. I have another one for you know I don't know how it's down but, Bishop Gaspar can Satlite in on his other churchdes, I belive this we be good Asset to your church as well great techuology for the church you can Satalite on other sister church and have cnferences Bible study, you do have other Pastor friends on this site so talk to somebody who know more than me and you so I can see your message on this site.
When I think of something else I will let you know. |
|
|
Are we not doin that this minute? 150:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 150:2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 150:3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 150:4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 150:5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
|
|
|
More Posts from Pastor Tim
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscribe to this blog
back to top
