Jesus told his followers to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15), but what happens when the world moves onto the Internet?
We have entered the digital age, and are spending more of our time online for nearly all facets of life, from banking and bills to work and video calls, and especially for breaking news and many of our social connections. Most recent reports indicate we spend an average of seven hours a day on our screens, phones and digital media.
Not all ways we can use this new technology are good or beneficial for human flourishing. Yet from the Roman roads to the printing press to radio and television and now the Internet, Christians have always leveraged communication tools to take the Good News of Jesus to those who need it. With each new tool, we need to learn how to use it most effectively. Let’s consider some ideas of where to start with the digital tools we have today.
- Display the fruit of the Spirit. We all have likely seen some uncomfortable posts from Christians online trying to share their faith or views but sounding more like a clashing cymbal than a loving voice. When we post online, above all else we need to consider how to do so with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Perhaps the last one is the most critical to mention. Sometimes the way to share our faith online is simply to demonstrate the restraint so many others seem to lack.
- Remember: digital first, not digital only. We can use online platforms like Facebook or Instagram to connect with people, but it’s better to move into more personal ways to continue building trust and relationship. I’ve tried posting an invitation like, “Drop by Starbucks Monday from 8–10 a.m. I’ll be there and I’d love to see you!” I bring my laptop to do work between visits, but I often find people are so hungry for connection that my time is filled with conversations and opportunities to pray with people. Many are looking to turn their online chats into in-person connection if given the invitation, and sometimes a casual opportunity like this is less intimidating than setting up a formal one-on-one conversation.
- Join neighbourhood forums. We can use apps like Nextdoor or Facebook to join or start a neighbourhood group to connect with those around us. It’s amazing how quickly that leads to opportunities to meet our neighbours’ needs and to see what concerns them most—and to share laughs, find out about local events and build trust that enables more meaningful conversation.
- Consider chat rooms versus street corners. Some of the bravest among us may have tried door-to-door evangelism or street evangelism. Increasingly, people do not trust strangers on the street, but they are more open to having conversations with strangers online. Some of the most effective evangelists I know are seeing great fruit in chat rooms like JesusCares.com or ChatAboutJesus.com, where people are having real conversations, asking questions and accepting Christ. This could be a great way to offer your time each week to those seeking truth.
- Start a YouTube channel. YouTube, which is owned by Google, is the second largest search engine in the world. People wanting to know how to roast a chicken, the history of electric vehicles, or whether the Bible is trustworthy are going to YouTube by the billions. A friend of mine who was a devout atheist began to explore Christian claims on YouTube, and actually gave their life to Jesus this year because of the platform. If you want to share your faith and enjoy talking to the camera (or are willing to learn how to), there is a huge strategic opportunity to answer questions, share your life, and interact in the comments with real people on this platform. Grab a friend and do it together!
- Be your real self. My last encouragement is for us to be our true and authentic selves online when we post on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or TikTok. We may start out by copying the voices of our most admired Christian leaders, but the best way to connect with an audience is for each of us to find our own voice—not just sharing the shiny parts of our experiences, but offering some of our real-life struggles and unpolished life with kids, work and messy homes. That builds trust, and it’s more sustainable if we don’t put on a persona. We can share Jesus by sharing ourselves.
Let’s be courageous! The online world is a new one to navigate, but if people loved by God are there, the people of God should also be there, demonstrating God’s love. He has planted us in this unique time in history to prayerfully leverage all the tools available to us to offer hope and life to a world struggling with loneliness, confusion, mental health challenges and unclear identity.
Jesus is not just good news, but the best news in the world. So let’s become the best communicators of that message as we practice and live out our lives online and in person.
