Oct. 7, 2008
blogging and facebook- a ministry
One of my new favorite books-- Walk Across the Room by Pastor Bill Hybels
The Bible teaches us that we are to spread the light of Jesus. Through our words, our actions, our thoughts, and our decisions, we should be spreading the love of Jesus. St. Francis of Assisi said, "By all means preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If necessary, use words." For me, words is my most powerful choice of ministry, which I shall explain.
The premise of the book Walk Across the Room is that you can use any room, place, etc, to be a minister, by just making a friend and acting as you are. Becoming friends with people, getting to know them, spending time with them, even in their element and not yours, is the way we lead them to Jesus. We don't need to preach the Word by using Religious jargon, but put simply, our lifestyle, and their knowledge of our relationship with Jesus, can allow for open doors of communication.
However, I found myself in a predicament. I had difficulty identifying a "room" I should walk across. I am a homeschool mom, home the majority of the time, and when I wasn't at home (or the grocery store), I was at church. So, the people that I hang out with, most of them are Christians. Even my immediate neighbors are Christians.
After much prayer, it occurred to me that every time I go online and leave a tag on my Facebook heading, I'm walking across the room. It occurred to me that every time I blog, the words that I say could have a lasting impact on one who would read it. You can't hide very much from Facebook. Everyone sees what you have written to everyone, whether you want them to see it or not. My blog spans the world wide web, so anyone who may happen to spot any entry I may write, will indeed be influenced by the words I choose.
My walk across the room, though it may be a bit impersonal, is more like a surf across the net. But, if I want to minister to modern day people, I need to be where they are... using modern day technology.
The Bible teaches us that we are to spread the light of Jesus. Through our words, our actions, our thoughts, and our decisions, we should be spreading the love of Jesus. St. Francis of Assisi said, "By all means preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If necessary, use words." For me, words is my most powerful choice of ministry, which I shall explain.
The premise of the book Walk Across the Room is that you can use any room, place, etc, to be a minister, by just making a friend and acting as you are. Becoming friends with people, getting to know them, spending time with them, even in their element and not yours, is the way we lead them to Jesus. We don't need to preach the Word by using Religious jargon, but put simply, our lifestyle, and their knowledge of our relationship with Jesus, can allow for open doors of communication.
However, I found myself in a predicament. I had difficulty identifying a "room" I should walk across. I am a homeschool mom, home the majority of the time, and when I wasn't at home (or the grocery store), I was at church. So, the people that I hang out with, most of them are Christians. Even my immediate neighbors are Christians.
After much prayer, it occurred to me that every time I go online and leave a tag on my Facebook heading, I'm walking across the room. It occurred to me that every time I blog, the words that I say could have a lasting impact on one who would read it. You can't hide very much from Facebook. Everyone sees what you have written to everyone, whether you want them to see it or not. My blog spans the world wide web, so anyone who may happen to spot any entry I may write, will indeed be influenced by the words I choose.
My walk across the room, though it may be a bit impersonal, is more like a surf across the net. But, if I want to minister to modern day people, I need to be where they are... using modern day technology.
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Posted by Anonymous
Comments
Nov. 10, 2008 - Across the room
Posted by Anonymous Just as the church is not merely a structure of brick and mortar...
So a room is more than drywall and paint.
Room is a space we have in our hearts. Its a space somewhere in the tangled mass of our brain.
Room is something we give others when they need space to expand....just like sharing the gospel ....it too is something we give others so they can expand in the knowlegde of grace and mercy...and in the hope of our returning Messiah.
Keep typing on your computer.
Keep ministering in your home and neighborhood, the grocery store, library and post office.
Keep sharing across the room in the sanctuary. You never will know how many professing Christians are still lost without a personal relationship with Jesus. You may be the one who GOD gives just the right thing to say to a hurting person to completely turn their flickering flame into a full blaze of His glory!
You are an encouragement to others as you follow Him in obedience. You do make a difference in this world...far more than you will ever know! To God be the glory and praise! I thank Him often for enriching my life by putting you in it!
So a room is more than drywall and paint.
Room is a space we have in our hearts. Its a space somewhere in the tangled mass of our brain.
Room is something we give others when they need space to expand....just like sharing the gospel ....it too is something we give others so they can expand in the knowlegde of grace and mercy...and in the hope of our returning Messiah.
Keep typing on your computer.
Keep ministering in your home and neighborhood, the grocery store, library and post office.
Keep sharing across the room in the sanctuary. You never will know how many professing Christians are still lost without a personal relationship with Jesus. You may be the one who GOD gives just the right thing to say to a hurting person to completely turn their flickering flame into a full blaze of His glory!
You are an encouragement to others as you follow Him in obedience. You do make a difference in this world...far more than you will ever know! To God be the glory and praise! I thank Him often for enriching my life by putting you in it!