| When you think about all the pros and cons of | | | | was a competitor! He competed for lost souls |
| the internet one topic always seems to | | | | by which he became all things to all men in |
| surface, the fact of community. There are | | | | hopes that he might win some for Christ. |
| both positive and negative aspects to online | | | | (1Cor9:22) He also said he ran this race of |
| community but there is no denying that online | | | | life as to win the prize! (1Cor9:24) |
| communities have formed a spiritual and | | | | Sometimes I wonder if we get more excited |
| relational tidal wave that is sweeping our | | | | about our kids little league soccer |
| world. | | | | competitions, Sunday afternoon football, or |
| | | | climbing up the corporate ladder, than we do |
| The fact is that the internet allows for | | | | the competition for lost souls! |
| community in a unique and powerful way that | | | | |
| has never been possible until this millennia. | | | | Paul was a great winner of souls because he |
| Look at the explosion of sites like MySpace | | | | was available. Simply, he was willing to do |
| or Facebook. Go to any college or high school | | | | God's work in God's way! (K.P. Yohannan) Paul |
| in the U.S. and you will find people who are | | | | didn't limit God's avenues of reaching the |
| living in community on the internet. Now more | | | | lost, he was on the cutting edge. |
| than ever even the older generations are | | | | |
| utilizing the internet to find communities of | | | | It is time as Christians that we make online |
| like-minded people. This networking is | | | | communities a priority! Very simply, we are |
| growing every day and is exciting to some and | | | | losing the race. A whole generation is being |
| very scary to others. | | | | impacted in online communities and we are |
| | | | sitting on the sidelines booing! If we are |
| As Christians we must do more than just | | | | going to bring the transforming love of |
| realizing the fact that online communities | | | | Christ to all nations and fulfill the Great |
| are changing our world. We must actually | | | | Commission (Matt28:19) then we must not |
| begin to embrace this change and use it for | | | | forget about the new nation of "the World |
| God's glory. It is true that the internet's | | | | Wide Web". So far, it is our great omission |
| unique and powerful opportunity for community | | | | within the Great Commission...But I believe |
| comes with some negative repercussions. One, | | | | this is changing... |
| the availability of all kinds of sin and | | | | |
| temptation at your fingertips. Two, the lack | | | | What must we do to continue the change? First |
| of accountability for what is done within | | | | of all, get involved in a Christian online |
| online communities. There are many more, but | | | | community. Use it as a tool to disciple and |
| my focus is not on these negative | | | | edify other like-minded people. For the more |
| repercussions. Rather, on the benefit that we | | | | experienced and those with bedrock integrity, |
| as Christians can bring to God's Kingdom if | | | | get involved in a non-Christian community |
| we will embrace the concept of digital | | | | like Myspace or Facebook and let your light |
| community and use it strategically for His | | | | shine! Further, make your voice heard. |
| purposes. | | | | Support the pioneers who are out there trying |
| | | | to make a dent in the internet for Christ! |
| I believe God frowns when His people are | | | | Encourage your local church to put a budget |
| cynical toward new or progressive concepts | | | | toward online marketing or to partner with an |
| such as online communities. I can just hear | | | | online Christian ministry. Lastly and most |
| God saying, "Why not use that for my glory?" | | | | importantly, support Christian online |
| So why don't we? I mean, why not really use | | | | community! We need more places on the |
| it! Why not get involved in such a way that | | | | internet that are safe. Places where you can |
| we, as Christ followers, become some of the | | | | tell your kids that it's okay to chat, it's |
| forerunners in this digital age instead of | | | | okay to get advice. Support online |
| always the tale sniffers? | | | | communities that you feel are spreading the |
| | | | gospel and if you can't find one start one! |
| When we see something like online communities | | | | Online community is here to stay. Question |
| exploding across the world, most of which | | | | is: in the online arena, are you a contender |
| seem to be ran by people who could care less | | | | or a spectator? Let the Gospel ring loud in |
| about Christ...why as Christians do we not | | | | all our communities! Christ in us, the hope |
| get some unction in our function and start | | | | of glory! |
| figuring out how to compete? The apostle Paul | | | | |