As many of us know, online ministry has become a form of ministry that many churches have begun to explore – whether it be as a part of their overall local church ministry or as a tool used as the main focus of their ministry, such as an online church.
Regardless of your approach, online ministry has become something more and more people are exploring, testing, and using in various ways.
After more than 10 years of doing online ministry, the question I have been asked most often is, “What is the best tool I need to be successful in online ministry?” When people are asking this, they are often referring to tools such as best quality cameras, software, and programs. They often wonder what platform they should be live streaming from or what social media tactics they need to learn. These questions are often focused on the technical side of online ministry.
But I believe that to really thrive in any ministry, including online ministry, we must focus not solely on the technical tools but on the relational tools. Therefore, I believe that the best tool for online ministry is simply this: friendship.
Many local church pastors have come to me asking about tools for online ministry, and the first question I ask in return is, “Have you ever built or maintained a friendship with someone you’ve solely known online?” Nine out of ten times, the answer to that question is no.
In a world where so many people are looking to incorporate online ministry, what I want you to walk away with from this article is understanding that the true impact of online ministry is not about thought-provoking content or high-quality cameras. It’s about first believing that true authentic relationships with people you’ve never met in person are actually possible.
We’ve all seen the pastors get up on stage, welcome the online audience, and encourage them to join the communities online, get plugged in, find community, and form friendships. They often will even describe how life-giving it can be and how they can engage in community even from home. But oftentimes, those are the same pastors who would also say to me that they have never built or maintained an online friendship. Therefore, whether we mean it or not, we are encouraging people to experience something that we’ve never even experienced for ourselves.
In ministry, we are all so passionate about helping people discover the life-changing power of Jesus Christ, but why? To be obedient to the Great Commission? That’s part of it. Is it because we love people? That’s part of it too. But here is another major reason why so many of us dedicate our lives to helping others experience the life-changing power of Jesus: because we know it works. How? Because we’ve experienced Jesus for ourselves.
It is so imperative for us as leaders who are trying to pursue online ministry to first experience it for ourselves to ensure that we believe that it actually works. I’ve spoken with pastors about the topic of online ministry who, on some deep level, are still questioning if relationships can really exist online. Can true life impact happen if it’s not in person? I am absolutely and utterly convinced that it can. However, are you? The purpose of this article is not for me to tell you about how or even why I believe online ministry works. The purpose of this article is to ask those who are pursuing online ministry, do you believe it works? And if you do, why?
When asking the question of why we believe online ministry works, so many of us will point to the large mega churches that have online ministries that seem to be working. We will point to churches that have online ministries with thousands of views. First off, having thousands of views is not a direct metric that measures true impact and life change, but that’s a topic for another day.
The point I am trying to prove is that most people pursuing online ministry will point towards someone else’s experience or success as to why they believe it works. But that is simply second-hand experience, not first-hand experience.
Revelation 12:11 tells us that “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” This verse shows us that there is power in our testimony. However, if our reason for believing online ministry works is only through second-hand experience by seeing other ministries do it, then, in essence, we are trying to pursue online ministry without our own testimony.
Imagine trying to evangelize to a non-believer and they ask you how you knew following Jesus actually works, but your response is simply “Well, it worked for my friend.” I’m assuming they would ask you, “But did it work for you?” and imagine responding that you had never actually experienced it for yourself. This is what many people and churches are doing when launching online ministries.
The importance of having your own testimony of the impact of online ministry cannot be overstated, and I believe the best way to find your testimony is to simply find a friend. Form and maintain a friendship with someone online. Watch as they grow in their relationship with God. Watch as they open up and experience true, authentic community and friendship by sharing their life story with you. Watch the healing that takes place as they step out of isolation and loneliness into friendship and freedom. Watch as your own eyes and mind are opened to the true value and impact of people discovering Jesus in an online environment through friendship.
The best tool for online ministry has nothing to do with technology and everything to do with testimony. If you want to have a powerful online ministry, first form a powerful testimony. One that will move both your heart and the heart of others, and I believe this testimony is found in one simple word: friendship.
This is why some ministries with the most expensive cameras money can buy are seeing little to no life change, all while some ministries with budget webcams are seeing lives transformed for the glory of God. It takes more than funds, it takes friends.
So, before you and your church go out and spend thousands of dollars on technology, first invest time in making a friend. If you want to make an impact online, first, truly believe it works. And when you do, you will be on the right path to see God do amazing things through you and your online ministry.
