Media Outreach

I recently read some interesting statistics that made me think about the impact that technology is having on the religious experience. According to Outreach Magazine, 35% of people online right now are searching for spiritual answers, and it is now our responsibly to create a place online where people can find those answers in the message of Jesus Christ. It has now become our task to find new ways to present the unchanging message of the Gospel in a way that will be relevant to the unchurched.

According to George Barna, even the “least appealing of the 11 Net-based faith alternatives tested, online worship, would likely attract some 30 to 35 million adults. The most attractive option, listening to religious teaching online, would likely draw more than 100 million adults.” These statistics are staggering and show that these technology-based ministries are not just a fad but the future of the church. A report done by the Barna group suggests that “within this decade as many as 50 million individuals may rely solely upon the Internet to provide all of their faith-based experiences.”

We need to create a website that will give people the relevant graphics to draw seekers into a site, the ease of navigation so they can find the answers to their questions quickly, functionality so that they can do what they want to do on the website, interactivity so they feel a connection to the church, and content that will have an impact on their lives. Be more than a church that meets on Sunday morning. Be more that a church building. Do not be a church that will miss the opportunity to reach these people. Be a church that will start a movement.