How can Christians use this bewildering mix of technologies to share the good news? One place to find answers is Internet Evangelism Day’s website. It provides detailed resources, ideas and strategies to help Christians use what many leaders have called a ‘God-given medium’. These include a self-assessment tool for church websites, enabling them to better reach out into their communities.

Internet Evangelism Day – as the name suggests – is also an annual web-awareness focus day. Churches and other Christian groups can build a short focus spot into their meetings on 26 April, to explain to their members more about the potential for online evangelism, and how anyone can be involved in this rewarding ministry. A customized presentation (anything from 5 minutes to 50) can be easily created using free downloads from IE Day’s website: video clips, Powerpoint, handouts, music and drama.

One surprising fact is that online evangelism is for anyone, not just the technically gifted. “There are many ways to share your faith online, without any technical knowledge at all,” says IE Day Coordinator Tony Whittaker.

Church leaders who have already used these materials are excited.  “This is a huge help for small churches such as ours,” writes a minister from California. “I am glad to commend Internet Evangelism Day,” says elder statesman John Stott.

IE Day’s website is at www.InternetEvangelismDay.com

1. The first step you will want to take is to evaluate your community.  Questions to ask would be: Who do I want to reach?  What is the best way to connect with them?  How am I going to communicate with them once they respond?  If you would like a great overview on different demographic groups check out Chris Forbes (Ministry Marketing Coach) post here, here and here.
2. You will then need to determine how many people it will take to work with the community you’re reaching out to.  You will want to utilize volunteers as much as possible.
3. What online services and approaches are you going to use (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, My Space, personal websites, blogs, church or ministry website).
4. Create messaging and graphics that are consistent.
5. Train all your volunteers how to “minister” to people online.
6. Keep it simple.
7. Think though all the steps that you will want to lead a online contact through.  For example, if you are presenting the Gospel online and someone responds, what will be the next step you will want them to do.
8. Keep records of your work.
9. Try to connect the individual to a local contact, church or ministry for continued interaction.
10. Share your results.

In the next post, I will cover ideas for outreaches online.

“How can we use this new-fangled Internet thing to share the gospel?”  Christians are asking. A worldwide ‘web evangelism focus day’ is helping to provide answers. Sunday, April 27, has been designated as Internet Evangelism Day. Churches can download free materials from the Internet Evangelism Day website. These varied materials make it easy for churches to create a short presentation about online outreach on or near that Sunday. They can choose from a PowerPoint, video clip testimonies, drama scripts, music and handouts to create their own customized program lasting from one minute to 50.

Church leaders who have already used these materials are excited.   “This is a huge help for small churches such as ours,” writes a church leader from California.

The Internet Evangelism Day team emphasizes that web evangelism is for anyone, not just the technically gifted. “There are many ways to share your faith online, without any technical background at all,” says IE Day Coordinator Tony Whittaker.

Christian leaders are also enthusiastic: “I am glad to commend Internet Evangelism Day,” says Dr. John Stott.

Churches still have time to plan a focus spot on or near 27 April, or at any more suitable date during the year. More information is available at:  http://ied.gospelcom.net/index.php

Summary
New online self-assessment tool from the Internet Evangelism Day team enables churches to develop and improve their websites. And this year’s web evangelism focus day is set for 29 April 2007.

“Does your church’s website communicate to outsiders as well as to the members?” asks a new web resource. A church site is the congregation’s ‘shop window’ to its community. To fulfill this function well, it must be enticing, people-centered and easily understood by outsiders. Unfortunately, many churches are unsure how to achieve this vital mix.

So the Internet Evangelism Day team has produced an online self-assessment tool. It leads a church through a series of questions, to highlight areas of their website which may need development:InternetEvangelismDay.com/design

This questionnaire can also be easily added to other webpages using an insertion code.

A church site which has been prioritized for non-Christian visitors can be remarkably effective in reaching the community. “Week in, week out, more visitors turn up at our church on a Sunday because of the website, than anything else,” writes one growing church in London.

The Internet Evangelism Day (‘IE Day’) site also explains other types of online evangelism, such as outreach websites, video clips, blogging and podcasts. There is even a free conversation starter) screen-saver to download.

Holding a focus day The IE Day team also encourages churches and other groups to hold their own ‘web awareness’ focus day on (or near) 29 April 2007. The IE Day site provides downloadable video clips, drama sketches, posters, handouts and a PowerPoint presentation, making it easy for any church to create its own IE Day program. This can as brief as a 2-minute spot within a worship time, or an entire themed church service, seminar, or midweek meeting.

Churches that have already held their own focus day are enthusiastic. “It was a real eye-opener for many,” writes one in Muncie, Indiana. “We held a midweek evening presentation of 90 minutes, for other local churches,” says another from Dawlish UK.

A Canadian church leader comments, “I used a 10-minute presentation that focused on how anyone can get involved in reaching out to the Internet community. I also added a section on using our church website as an evangelism tool, as some of our members have already had great success with it.”

“I pray that Internet Evangelism Day challenges more to become involved for this expanding harvest field,” says Keith Seabourn, Chief Technology Officer for CCCI.

Internet Evangelism Day is an initiative of the Internet Evangelism Coalition, an umbrella group of major interdenominational Christian groups involved in Web ministry, of which CCCI is an executive member, and has a number of teams directly involved in a wide range of web evangelism and discipleship ministries.

www.InternetEvangelismDay.com

Interviews available: InternetEvangelismDay.com/publicity
Photos available: InternetEvangelismDay.com/photos
Recommended photo for this item: InternetEvangelismDay.com/churchphoto
Additional articles – ready-made material and MP3s: InternetEvangelismDay.com/articles
Leaders supporting IE Day: InternetEvangelismDay.com/supporting

“Does your church’s website communicate to outsiders as well as to the members?” asks a new web resource. A church site is the congregation’s ‘shop window’ to its community. To fulfill this function well, it must be enticing, people-centered and easily understood by outsiders. Unfortunately, many churches are unsure how to achieve this vital mix.

So the Internet Evangelism Day team has launched an online self-assessment tool. It leads a church through a series of key questions, to highlight areas of their website which may need development:
InternetEvangelismDay.com/design

“I think it will be very helpful to churches,” comments Gene Anderson of Resurrection Lutheran Church, California.

A church site which has been prioritized for non-Christian visitors can be remarkably effective in reaching the community. “Week in, week out, more visitors turn up at our church on a Sunday because of the website, than anything else,” writes one growing church in London UK that uses these principles.

The Internet Evangelism Day (‘IE Day’) website also explains other types of online evangelism, such as outreach sites, video clips, blogging and podcasts. There is even a free ‘conversation starter’ screen-saver to download.

April Church Focus Day to Increase Awareness
The IE Day team also encourages churches and other groups around the world to hold their own ‘web awareness focus day’ on (or near) 29 April 2007. The IE Day site provides downloadable video clips, drama sketches, posters, handouts and a PowerPoint presentation, making it easy for any church to create its own IE Day program. This can as brief as a 2-minute spot within a worship time, or an entire themed church service, seminar, or midweek meeting.

Churches that have already held their own focus day are enthusiastic. “It was a real eye-opener for many,” writes one in Muncie, Indiana. “We held a midweek evening presentation of 90 minutes, for other local churches,” says another from Dawlish UK.

A Canadian church leader comments, “I used a 10-minute presentation that focused on how anyone can get involved in reaching out to the Internet community. I also added a section on using our church website as an evangelism tool, as some of our members have already had great success with it.”

One surprising aspect that the IE Day team emphasize: web evangelism is for anyone, not just the technically gifted. “There are many ways to share your faith online, without any technical background at all,” says IE Day Coordinator Tony Whittaker.

IE Day is supported by a wide range of Christian leaders. “I am glad to commend Internet Evangelism Day,” says John Stott.

Internet Evangelism Day is an initiative of the Internet Evangelism Coalition, an umbrella group of major interdenominational Christian groups involved in Web ministry, based at the Billy Graham Center, Wheaton. IE Days purpose is to explain to the worldwide church the potential of the Web for effective proclamation of the Christian Good News by:
- a detailed resource website: InternetEvangelismDay.com
- encouraging churches and other groups to hold an annual web awareness focus day

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tony Whittaker is co-ordinator of Internet Evangelism Day and editor of the Web Evangelism Bulletin email newsletter. He is available to consult on any issue relating to online evangelism.

———————————————————————————————————

BlueSky Ministries is a team of visionaries, theologians, technicians, and strategists seeking to engage today’s culture creatively and constructively for Christ through blessing-based approaches in order to implement eternal change in people’s lives.

One of their strategies is Joe Pix

This outreach strategy which mobilizes local Christians (Photo Evangelistst) to bless people with free digital and print photographs. After a subject’s photo has been taken, a unique and secure photo ID card is given to them. The card gives an invitation to come to our event-customized website, enter an 8-digit security code found on the card, and receive their free photo.

When they go to the website to retrieve their photo they will see the “Big Picture” gospel presentation. They can then pass a link to their family and friends to come to the website and view the photo.

Here is how it worked for me. I had heard about blogging and read several blogs for some time. I then took the plunge into blogging after following a blog for sometime. Since then I have told several others about it and they are now blogging.

What’s your story?

1. Keep the design of the website simple but attractive.
2. Use Photos- they convey a message and draw interest.
3. Incorporate a Blog.
4. Build community by connecting to local communities. (i.e. Story Spot)
5. Give them ways to make a difference around them. (i.e. Student2Student)

What are some other ideas you have?

I have been involved with Internet evangelism for a number of years. Here are a few websites that I am involved with. Feel free to link to them if you desire.

JESUS: Fact Or Fiction
Whoisiam.com
Jesusfact.com