Is "Cyber" a type of ministry??

[Nik P.]

As I was listing the types of ministry that we could endorse, something led me to add "cyber" to the list of: chaplain, retreat / camp facillitator, evangelist, military, etc.

Is this a type of mission? I've heard of an on-line group of cyber-evangelists who surf for athiests in order to witness to them. Is there a cyber-community of "simple church" practitioners who only meet on-line?

[Rick Knock]

Hi Nik,

I don't know about "only meeting online," but there is much web-based Christian outreach. My question would be whether they're looking for outside endorsement, though if your org becomes a sort of "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" I could see them desiring it in much the same way online sellers like the Paypal seal, etc. A lot of websites seem to like seals of approval.

God Bless!

Rick

[JaJireh]

I agree with Rick in that there is much by way of web-based Christian outreach, and I agree with you that this is a mission.

I'll add that I do not find it odd, nor disconcerting since the Body of Christ is a spiritual Body. We now literally span the globe, and the tools of communication have expanded to include the internet. I do know of literal Bible study groups/fellowships who participate in online gatherings, in real-time. However, this gathering together via a communication tool does not keep individuals from meeting the needs of their brothers and sisters in Biblical physical fashion.

I believe we will be seeing more and more of this type of fellowship become the norm, as the Lord continues to bring others out of the denominational/sectarian bondages.

[JaJireh]

Rick Knock said:

Hi Nik,

My question would be whether they're looking for outside endorsement, though if your org becomes a sort of "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" I could see them desiring it in much the same way online sellers like the Paypal seal, etc. A lot of websites seem to like seals of approval.

God Bless!

Rick

Having just read 3 John this morning from my son's Bible, I find the content of your statement to be very fitting in relation to this book. Here is a portion, read in the NLT version:

Caring for the Lord’s Workers

Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.

I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.

Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.

Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.
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I am of the opinion that the 'seal of approval' comes diretly from the Lord ~ and is visible among the Body by an individuals' actions or good works.

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. 2 Corinthians 10:18

If I were on online 'host' as it were, I'd allow the Lord to place His mark upon the cyber portal that His ministry is generated through.

[Nik P.]

What I am hearing is 1) that this is a ministry; 2) God's seal upon it will be visible to the Body; 3 ) cyber-ministries don't seem to have any hoops to jump for the world (endorsement) in order to practice their ministry. So, their motives are questionable if they want endorsement.

[Rick Knock]

Chaplain Nik said:

What I am hearing is 1) that this is a ministry; 2) God's seal upon it will be visible to the Body; 3 ) cyber-ministries don't seem to have any hoops to jump for the world (endorsement) in order to practice their ministry. So, their motives are questionable if they want endorsement.

Hi Nik,

Let me see if I can take the simple and make it complicated. :)

On #1, yes.

On #2, yes, but it often takes time to investigate an online ministry before this seal can be discerned. If they are not already known one can look at their statement of faith, vision statement, etc. but still not know if these statements match their practice.

On #3, I'm not so sure. I think many people are more apt to trust a site that is recommended by someone they know and trust. At first glance many sites claiming to be "Christian" may look alike, difficult for a mature believer to discern and near impossible for a new believer or a seeker. Many of us came to this site and/or healingcommunities because someone we trust invited us. I don't tend to see ill motives if a web ministry wants an endorsement from a trusted friend or ministry.

Anyway, those are my thoughts for now. I may change my mind in 5 minutes. :)

God Bless!

Rick

[Nik P.]

2nd reply to THIS THREAD starts a talk about Cyber church.

[Stephanie]

I think cyber ministries exist and many of them have something to sell you. You have to be careful. It is nice to know when someone you trust has a relationship with them that is genuine.

The thread talked about church on-line and I think that is good for shut-ins. It's better than TV church where they just watch. Internet church allows interaction.