| Online Christian services touch a global community. Should those services be left to the neighborhood church?
I believe that evangelizing online and Bible studies programs are beneficial and put to use one more avenue that we didn't have some years ago--the Net. Even those require detailed preparation depending on the people being reached and discerning if God has drawn and prepared them for what they will receive. Likewise, we need to be prepared for reaching people "where they are." (individually)Absolutely no offense intended and I presume you mean well and feel led to provide these services however...Some of the services you mention are very personal and involve more than one person and require a bit more "personal touch" even to get to know people. As for marriage: How do you determine online how those people interact with each other? We can pray and trust God but He also gave us common sense to be used.It is beyond my comprehension how you can perform marriages online without meeting with the couple for counseling and instruction prior to the event; same with baptisms and confirmations how do you know that people are truly understanding what is going on?Definitely understand that you want to be obedient to "touch" people but reaching them requires more than a "touch" and "go" process. Missions/evangelism involves nurturing to a point of maturity. Tending to a flock requires feeding them a well balanced diet. On the net, how do you determine that they are "getting" what is important to get? I am referring to understanding in order to mature as faithful and believing Chirstians as oppose to those who "know who God and Jesus are" ??? What about assembling with other believers which is important and commanded?I'm a lay pastor and have been in this neighborhood several years. It is a somewhat depressed area of a medium/small sized-town--elderly--disabled--low income housing area; also drug activity, a bit of prostitution, alcoholism--always and homelessness usually touch this area because it's located near the expressway--easy for transients and a couple of downtown churches offer free lunch to the needy. I have had a lot of interaction with the lost and falling away. Some have settled in the area in local homeless shelter. Even with that personal interaction on a regular basis, I find that some are "fragile" and it takes some time to build trust. This is why I ask so many questions because I'm active in outreach and I understand that it's not always "easy" even having one-on-one or face-to-face contact on a regular basis. I try to be available (out) at least two to three days and one or two evenings a week._____"4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee." [Proverbs 4:4-6]_____Of course, I know that if you've been instructed by God to do what you are doing, it's a given you don't need to consider my comments. God gives us what we need to do what He has purposed us to do. However, when we step out on our own, that is where we are: on our own in our own plan and our own understanding. God bless you.x
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06-30-2008, 01:32 AM
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