HEADING
The Internet and
The Church
By
Ken Lubeck, Senior Business Analyst, New Media
Basically every good, bad, or ugly piece of information is available
online, something also true of print, radio and television. A
key difference between these mediums and Internet, however, is
that via the Internet, information can be found faster and easier.
The challenge is to avoid even the temptation of evil, while using
the Internet to proclaim the Good News and support those who are
working to spread the Gospel.
In the first century many spoke Greek, and Roman roads allowed
unprecedented mobility. A common language and a web of roads allowed
the gospel to spread quickly; the Roman Empire brought a large
part of the world together.
Today a corporate empire is allowing over 90 percent of the computers
in the world to speak a common language. Today that is Microsoft.
In a few years it could be the computer language JAVA or JINI,
but for now it is Windows. More and more people outside the United
States are getting online. Most speak English but with advances
in translation software, web pages and emails can be translated
in a flash.
Right now some 100 million people use the Internet, but Intel
predicts that 1 billion computers will be networked in the world
in less than 10 years.
We are looking at the beginning of a revolution. The Internet
will not only change the way people communicate but also change
education, shopping habits, cultures -- even whole economies.
African nations that were never part of the Industrial Revolution
are beginning to get "Plugged In" to take advantage of e-commerce.
The U.S. Department of Commerce and Jupiter
Communications predict that in 2002 e-commerce transactions
will grow to $300 billion annually.
That is only four years away.
Nielsen Media Research
predicts that in less than two years over 50 percent of North
Americans over the age of 16 will use the Internet. Europe, parts
of Asia, North America, and South America are getting online at
an explosive rate.
I can see several opportunities for the Church in this New World
and New Economy.
Christian Organizations can develop compelling web sites that
draw people and expose them to the gospel. CBNonline, for example, offers
the entire Jesus Film in 15 language on its site, compliments
of Campus Crusade for Christ. Other
Christian Sites offer interesting information on subjects such
as creationism or apologetics.
There are plenty of great ideas yet to be digitized and offered
on the Internet. Online gaming, entertaining WebROMs, and inspirational
music sites are just a few areas where Christians can impact the
world for Christ.
Even now some Christian sites are reporting hundreds of salvations
each month from their web site. I have personally shared the Good
News with people in Israel, Turkey, Finland, Germany, Brazil,
Japan, China and other countries in chat rooms. Some were very
open. I know of people who consider it their ministry to chat
with people who are interested in Jesus.
The Internet is also empowering missionaries and their organizations.
Organizations such as The International Christian
Technologists' Association is using the power of technology
to, as they say, "Network for Global Breakthrough."
I'm sure Satan will continue to use the Internet as he uses print,
radio and television. But Satan is defeated and he can deceive
the nations no longer. Of course, our children should use filtering
software and only use the Internet under supervision, but that
doesn't mean some of us shouldn't aggressively share the Good
News by any means necessary.
So let me encourage you not to focus primarily on the danger
that the Internet poses for the Church. Instead, let us consider
the great opportunities available to us to impact the world for
our Lord.
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world
as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matthew
24:14
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