Online Evangelism?

In the past week and a half I have had two encounters with this concept of online evangelism. The first was a phone call to the church office by a gentleman who described himself as an "old crusader," referring to his involvement in the initial movements of campus crusades, who wanted to recruit me or one of my "tech savvy" youth to post an evangelism video he had created and used to lead thousands to Christ, "to a website and then direct people there through myspace, facebook, chain e-mails" (though not one's with "blessings or curses for those who act or don't act") and so forth.

The second encounter came through my e-mail box in a bulk newsletter sent out by youthministry.com that I peruse every so often. It was promoting a concept called an "online mission trip" where students use the avenues they already plugged into on facebook, myspace, world of warcraft, or wherever, to begin to talk about God and share their faith for two weeks in February. This "mission trip" would be preceded by my training my students to share their faith and how to do it in this medium and then providing new believer follow-up and discipleship in my youth group for those who become Christians.

Truthfully, I am torn over the topic. I am always excited about new ways to help my students learn to share their faith. I also am a big fan of helping them to minister in their current spheres of influence and not have to have an event or youth pastor do it for them. I struggle, however, with the lack of intimacy in the forum. I don't doubt that God can use it, but is it the way he wants us to be salt and light? Will this produce people who come to Christ out of relationship and love, out of being served and experiencing the love of Christ? Or out of a dry conversation? Will these be lasting disciples or flashes in the pan? Is it okay to use a "shallow" method to help people to make the first step toward what might be a lifelong, deep relationship with God and with others? Is it possible to take the concept and make it better? Or should I just go a different route because of my misgivings? Maybe I should even have these misgivings!

Can you see my dilemma? I'd love to hear your thoughts?

It's A Small World - A Disneyland Theology

The family and I went to Disneyland for a little vacation back before Thanksgiving. It was a blast, especially seeing our daughter Peyton enjoy the characters and the magic of it all.

While we were there, the It's A Small World ride reopened after being closed around a year for a full rehab. It was all decked out for the holidays, had brand new boats and dolls and a few new features. What stuck out to me the most was the meaning of the ride which hasn't ever changed.



The message is peace on earth, restoration of human unity and the like, very similar to what the Bible describes. You begin by looking at the many nations desiring this restoration. They are all separated from each other, singing in their own languages and with their own cultures, but their cry is the same, for unity and restoration. In the end you enter a room in which everything is white, everyone is together, cowboy and Indian, American and Russian, you name it and everyone is singing in the same language (English of course!). The only thing that the ride does not explain is how the transition occurred. It seems that the assumption is that by wishful thinking, by the innate power within humanity desiring unity and peace, it will happen. It is at its heart a humanist message. that we can do it through our own strength.

It seems to be the overall message of Disneyland the more I thought about it. If you cover up the dirtiness, cover up the pain, cover up reality, you will have a magic kingdom where everyone can be happy and live together in harmony. It doesn't seem to take into account that our separation from one another is only indicative of our separation from God. And that only reconnection with God can reconnect humanity in peace. This reconnection cannot occur through our own strength or wishful thinking but occurs only because of what Jesus did on the cross. Kind of like my high school football coach always said, you can't keep doing what you've been doing and expect the same results. We can't just keep thinking happy thoughts and singing kumbaya hoping world peace will come, but being the tough work of reconciliation that begins by leaning on the on saving grace of Jesus Christ which constitutes our reconciliation with God.

My blog renewed

It has been over a month since I last posted :-(
It was bound to happen.
I don't doubt that every first time blogger hits some kind of posting slump.
Mine just happen to coincide with the last month of my class for seminary.
Every waking moment not already dedicated to family, work, eating or sleeping has been dedicated to finishing papers.
But now I'm back.

A couple topics I've been hoping to think more about.
"It's A Small World Renewed - A Disneyland Theology"
"Christmas Renewed - Thoughts on Advent Conspiracy"
"Youth Winter Camp Renewed"
"The Eighth and Ninth Months Renewed"