Transcript Evangelism in a Post

Evangelism in a PostLiterate Culture
Defining “Post-literate
Culture”
• In the developing world illiteracy is a
huge problem.
– Up to 70% of the world’s population is
functionally illiterate.
– Successful outreach must include non-print
media to reach those who cannot read the
printed word, or live in oral cultures.
Defining “Post-literate
Culture”
• In the developed world “post-literacy” is the
growing trend
– Increasing dependence on non-printed
communication
• 74% of adults carry cell phones (up 24% from
2000)
• 90% of Americans carry some form of wireless
communication (pagers, phones, PDA’s, etc)
• 85% of Americans have a computer and 67%
have Internet access from home
Defining “Post-literate
Culture”
• Increasing dependence on non-printed
communication
– 75% of Americans subscribe to cable or
satellite TV.
– The average American watches 45 movies
per year, mostly in their homes.
• However, “movies on the go” is a growing
phenomenon through pod-casts, laptops, etc.
Defining “Post-literate
Culture”
• We have become a “sound bite” society.
– News channels and programs are the fastest
growing form of video “entertainment”
– We now watch events unfold in real time
– We demand instantaneous information in
short bursts.
•
•
•
•
in the 1800’s news took days to travel.
In the 1940’s news took hours to travel
In the 1960’s news took minutes to travel
Today, we watch it in real time
Defining “Post-literate
Culture”
A post-literate society is a culture that
depends primarily on non-print and nontraditional means of communication for
the exchange of information related to
commerce, politics, religion, news, etc.
Post-literacy is an issue the Church
must respond to in order to be seen
as relevant.
The Emergence of the
Internet as an Outreach Tool
• Early to mid-90’s – Internet becomes
mainstream to culture
– Use in Commerce
– Use in Communication
– Use in information exchange
– Use in spirituality
The Emergence of the
Internet as an Outreach Tool
• Church slow to respond in viewing the
Internet as an opportunity
– Many Christians see the “evil” in the Internet
– Many Christian ministries prohibit use of the
Internet by staff
– Internet vastly viewed as the new “Tower of
Babel”
The Emergence of the
Internet as an Outreach Tool
• 1990’s - Some ministries grasp the vision
of the Internet as a credible outreach tool
– Emergence of Gospel Communication
• A vast ministry alliance for outreach resources
– Emergence of Crosswalk.com
• A leading leadership and discipleship oriented
site
– Emergence of IBS.org
• A comprehensive site for Scripture resources
The Emergence of the
Internet as an Outreach Tool
• The ministry community and churches
begin to catch up
– Para-Church ministries begin to catch the
vision for the power of Internet in:
•
•
•
•
Communication of their vision
Fulfillment of their mission
Acquisition of donors
In commerce where appropriate
The Emergence of the
Internet as an Outreach Tool
• The ministry community and churches
begin to catch up
– Churches begin to catch the vision for the
power of Internet in ministry to their
congregations and communities.
• Communication of community outreach
• Online sermons and resources
• Ministry involvement
Online Spirituality
• 1 billion people globally now online (1 in
six people worldwide have Internet
access)
– Research indicates that 23% of Internet
users are will likely or definitely use the
Internet to express or shape their spirituality*
* Source – George Barna Research
Online Spirituality
– The Internet has become a “spiritual buffet.”
• Truth is a relative term based on user definition.
• Definition of truth – from the Internet:
– Conformity to fact or actuality.
– A statement proven to be or accepted as true.
– Sincerity; integrity.
– Fidelity to a standard [regardless of the source of the
standard]
– Truth is a comprehensive term that in all of its nuances
implies accuracy and honesty.
Online Spirituality
• What about truth?
– The word “truth” brings up more than
300,000,000 items when you Google it!
– It involves more than just a definition
• Philosophical problems
– Who decides?
– How do they know?
• Truth theories
– Is something true because it’s true or just because
we’ve decided to agree on it?
– Is it really just semantics?
Online Spirituality
• Types of truth
– Subjective vs. Objective
– Relative vs. Absolute
» Want to go nuts? Do a study on truth using the
Internet!
– If Biblical truth is the real deal, what are we
going to do about it?
Online Spirituality
• So how do we respond?
– Flood cyberspace with biblical truth
• www.WhosJesus.com
• www.BibleGateway.com
• www.IBS.org
– Point others to that truth
• Email distribution—It’s fast and effective
• Website referral for those struggling with issues
Online Spirituality
• So how do we respond?
– Create your own websites, chats, blogs,
forums, online studies, etc. (The Net has no
borders)
– Create church websites and radio stations
• www.nwrnetwork.com
– Use the Net and non-print resources in
reaching out, teaching and discipling
Online Spirituality
• So how do we respond?
• Finally – Pray for those who are seeking
truth online.
– Parts of the Internet are a bastion of truth
– Parts of the Internet are open deception
We must pray that ultimately God leads them
to His truth
Jesus answered, “I am the
way and the truth and the
life. No one comes to the
Father except through me.”
John 14:6