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CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
Christianity and Christians Online
As more and more people gain web access and begin using the internet on a regular basis, more people, both Christian and non-Christian, young and old, are using the Internet in their quest for meaning.[1] In a study by the Barna Research group, more than two-thirds of Americans indicated that they were likely to engage in specific types of religious experience via the internet as the current decade progresses.[2] In a 2003 study by the same group, 5% of Americans “said they would definitely use the Internet for personal faith experience and expression, and another 18% indicated they would probably do so.”[3] The development of online communities of Christians has the potential to make the abstract idea of the universal church more real and current to participating believers, transcending the boundaries of time and geography online.[4] Christians, including adolescents, are meeting online in forums such as chat rooms to pray, discuss faith, seek spiritual guidance, and do Bible studies. However, some wonder if this meeting online make their experience less legitimate than an in-the-flesh church building encounter.[5]
For many, the
world of the Internet is as real a meeting place as a church building.[6] Many Christians see the internet as a
gateway to an online Christian community that keeps growing.[7] Thousands of seekers who feel alienated from
traditional churches “are turning elsewhere to find relevance, meaning, and
spiritual connections.”[8] In 2001, less than 1% of all American adults and just 2% of teenagers were
using the Internet as a substitute for a physical-church, but George Barna
hypothesized that in the United States “by the end of the decade we will have
in excess of ten percent of our population who rely upon the Internet for their
entire spiritual experience.”[9] Many teens however, known as the most
adaptable of all believers, are not ready to abandon real church[10]
but instead choose to supplement it with online interactions to strengthen
their offline faith.[11]
Teenagers are pioneering online life, with over 70% of American teens regularly surfing the net.[12] Two-thirds of Canadian tweens (identified as ages 7-14) with computers at home had access to the internet in 2000[13] In fact, the internet has become the primary communication tool for teenagers, surpassing even the telephone among some groups, with 81% of teens using the internet for email, and 70% using it for instant messaging.[14] According to a study by researchers with the National Study of Youth and Religion that surveyed teens and their parents, most American teenagers, ages 13 to 17 years old, have access to the internet and spend an average of nearly 7 hours a week online.[15] However, youth interviewed by author Andrew Careaga spent as much as 20 hours a week online discussing matters of faith, considerably more time than most devout Christians normally spend in traditional church activities.[16] And, 62% of teens feel freer to discuss their faith over the Internet than in face-to-face conversations.[17] According to Careaga, Christian teenagers see the Internet as a viable tool for evangelism, discipleship, and Christian fellowship, and some teens even claim to be more active in church since becoming involved in the Internet.[18]
Christianity has already begun to be shaped by the technology known as the Internet in ways that few in the traditional church would have ever imagined.[19] The Internet houses tens of thousands of online Christian webpages and resources, including various online communities.[20] However, despite encouraging statistics, few Christians recognize the potential of the Internet as a medium that can be used for outreach to those who would never step inside a church, or facilitate dialog between faiths and denominations, or help those in ministry develop a sense of unity within Christianity,[21] but this needs to change as the church needs to decide how to respond to the online mission field in order to have an effective witness there.[22] Two thousand years after the death of Christ, we have a new and powerful medium to share the gospel message.[23]
In order to reach online seekers for God, author Andrew Careaga says there are three things that the traditional church must do:
1. Enter the online world of cyber-seekers, learning about them and from them in order to understand how they respond to the workings of this new medium.
2. Endeavor to understand the Internet as a medium itself and its influence and place in our culture.
3. Consider how we as the church should respond to the Internet’s growing influence in our society.[24]
With the numbers going online today, debating whether or not “an online church is a true church" is not nearly as important as is formulating a response to the sweeping cultural changes that are diminishing the church’s influence. "The real issue for the church as we contemplate the virtual mission field of the Internet is how we will respond. Will the church be there for online seekers with a message of salvation and hope? Or will we choose instead to ignore the impact of this new medium and let other belief systems influence the hearts and minds of Net surfers?"[25] Today it is important to not only understand the Bible and the message it has, but that God has called us to be like the “men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.” (1 Chronicles 12:32).[26]
The Blogosphere
As noted earlier, one of the swiftest growing realms on the internet in the past year or two has been in the area of personal weblogging. In October 2003 it was estimated that there were 4.12 million blogs that had been created on the eight most popular blog service providers[27] by the Perseus Weblog Survey.[28] It was also estimated that by the end of 2003 the number of hosted weblogs would exceed five million, and by the end of 2004 they would exceed ten million.[29]
According to the Perseus Weblog Survey, teenagers lead the weblogging pack. Those under 30 years of age have created 92.4% of all weblogs, 51.5% (2 120 000) of blogs were created by 13 to 19 year olds, and 1.3% (55 500) of blogs were created by 10-12 year olds.[30]
Although the number of blogs may exceed ten million by the end of this year, not all of these weblogs are active. The Perseus Corporation found in it's study that 66% of the blogs it surveyed had not been updated in two months, and 1.09 million blogs overall were one-day wonders.[31] Most weblog providers do not yet delete inactive blogs like email service providers delete inactive accounts. The NITLE Blog Census, an ongoing project that attempts to find as many active weblogs as possible across all languages, had found 1 705 102 sites it thought were likely weblogs as of February 2, 2004.[32] Technorati, a service that tracks who links to whom, also lists a similar number at 1 753 116 weblogs.[33]
The online presence of individual Christians is growing through the continual increasing numbers of webloggers. Currently Blogs4God, "a semi-definitive list of Christian blogs”, has 986 blogs listed. Of course not all Christian bloggers have registered with Blogs4God, however it is the largest Christian bloglist on the internet. [34]
Longing for Community
Being of the postmodern mindset, Generation Xers long for a place to belong and a place to call home, they are looking for community.[35] In light of this, postmodern evangelicalism moves people away from autonomous individualism and instead places individuals in community. This is because God created us to be in relationship with Him and each other.[36] Because we bear the image of God, we long to be placed in community.[37] “Christians should be at the forefront in this postmodern world, demonstrating what a loving community is like to a group of people crying for community.”[38] It is a part of our nature to build community out of the communication and reliance we have with one another, and that can happen both offline and online.[39]
In 1993, Howard Rheingold's landmark book, "The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic Frontier,” brought to light the communities that were forming online and opened the eyes of the world. In 1985 Rheingold had become involved in the WELL[40], one of the earliest Internet communities that formed, a precursor to many of today's internet communities."[41] As an early Internet user, Rheingold was able to see the growth of a full-scale subculture[42] that continues today. In his book, Rheingold stated what many who become involved in internet communities feel: "I care about these people I met through my computer... and I'm not alone in this emotional attachment."[43]
The Internet and the World Wide Web
have created "a global meeting place where 'netizens' create new
communities that are free from the confines of time and space,"[44]
and "new ways to socialize and build communities of interest, independent
of geography."[45] The online community that Rheingold was
involved in was a type of pioneer settlement, and today, blogging is forming a
new kind of community online. This
community is being fed by weblog writers mutually linking to one another[46]
and commenting[47] on each
other's posts and entries.
There is some debate on whether or
not weblogging can indeed be considered community or be building any type of
community. Like others in community
however, webloggers enjoy the healing effect the community they are involved
with provides them.[48]
In response to the weblogging as community debate, one weblog writer wrote the following:
"Can one person's blog be a community? Yes if his readers partake in the
community. For much of my blog, I kept comments off - I didn't want them. I
tried to fight the community which blogs stand for. I tried to keep this a
diary and not a blog. Over time I've come to the conclusion I was missing
something without the community. I would look at all the (0)s and realize I was
writing for myself still."[49]
Another
writer stated "Blogging is also an expression of community,
allowing individuals to communicate, or associations to share news, or families
to swap photos."[50] Some bloggers even claim that the Internet,
and specifically blogging, foster community better than the real world.[51]
The world of weblogging is a large community
full of smaller suburbs, and even smaller tribes.[52] As author and weblog historian
Rebecca Blood notes, it is "fascinating
to see new bloggers position themselves in this community, referencing and
reacting to those blogs they read most, their sidebar an affirmation of the
tribe to which they wish to belong."[53] Frances Cairncross hypothesized in 1997 that
the internet would create new ways of communicating, and these new ways of
communicating would allow a new kind of social life.[54] Weblogging is one of these new ways of
communicating, and a new type of social life that has been created on the
Internet.
Relational and
Incarnational Ministry
Being in
relationship with youth has to be an intentional activity, because adults must
choose to move outside of their normal friend groups in order to establish
relationships with adolescents.
Building relationships with youth involves crossing a natural social
boundary to bring about intentional positive change in the lives of youth.[55]
The term "relational ministry"
is the phrase used to describe the idea "that all matters of faith are, at
their essence, matters of relationship."[56] This includes God the Father's relationship
to the Son, the Son's relationship with us as Christians, our relationships
with each other, and so forth. Because
of the uniqueness of today's postmodern generations' yearning for meaningful
relationships, this relational view of ministry communicates to them in a way
that other more traditional ways of ministry have not done.[57] Many involved in ministry to younger
generations today have realized that long-term influence with lasting outcome
comes from significant relationships and input of and investment of role
models. People, not programs, have
positive, long-lasting influence of the lives of others.[58] Jesus changed peoples' lives through
relationships, and youth today have a need for a friendship with adults, adults
who can help lead them to relationship with Jesus Christ.[59] In relational and incarnational ministry,
relationships are seen as a way by which youth may experience the presence of
Jesus Christ.[60]
Believers who work with youth express
their faith in Christ amongst those they minister to by being with them and
getting involved in their lives.[61] Being with them and being involved in their
lives is also an expression of the gospel.
The youth minister will find that as they spend time those they minister
to, they, as a minister, are a reflection of the love of God in the midst of the
youth. The time spent getting to know
them and the respect that is shown through this is a witness of the presence of
Christ among them. Youth ministers are
a means that Jesus uses to become incarnated among a group of adolescents. An "incarnational" youth minister
is one who lives out a life deeply rooted in the life of Christ, before those
whom they are ministering to. An
incarnational youth minister is an imitator of Christ.[62]
Being incarnational and relational in
ministry does not mean following the crowd.
It does not mean one must be a dynamic speaker, be "cool," or
the like, it means they need to love those whom they are ministering to, and it
means they must being willing to spend time with them… it means they are
willing to lend a listening ear and are willing to get to know those entrusted
to their ministry.[63]
If we as
youth ministers want to have a positive influence on those we minister to, we
must not only build relationships with them, but also live our faith
authentically in front of them. Youth
can see through a façade, they know a genuine relationship when they see
it. Having healthy relationships with
them and with those we work with is of vital importance.[64]
Often, our
largest influence is not in what we teach with words, but is instead through
our actions and through our lifestyle.
Modelling, or leading by example, is important for all who
minister. And, a good relational
minister is aware of the powerful influence they have in modeling their
Christian faith.[65]
Good
relational ministry, and thus good youth ministry, requires nurture. Nurture takes time. Relational ministers must help those they
minister to move from reliance on the minister to dependence on God, but this
does take time. Relational ministry
requires a "sticking with them" attitude that involves a long-term
commitment to helping them grow to where God wants them.[66]
Unconditional love is another important
part of relational ministry. God's love
is unconditional, and when we love unconditionally, we model the love of
God. We must accept that youth will
fail, and when they do, they need encouragement. Showing them the reality of God's grace and love is important for
the solidification of their faith.[67]
Youth need
adults in their lives who are willing to give them significantly of their time
and attention. Relational ministry
requires both quality and quantity time.
Often, the most significant lessons about God will happen outside of a
teaching environment. Quality time
spent often communicates the gospel in a way that a Bible class could not. And, quality time often allows for
conversations that otherwise would have never taken place.[68]
Standing
still and waiting for youth to come to the church is not a particularly
effective ministry strategy, but going out and meeting students on their own
territory can be. Meeting students
where they are at, in their environment, often breaks down the walls that
hinder some from entering the church.
By entering their world, the minister communicate to those whom they are
attempting to ministering to that they are interested in them as persons, not
just as church participants. Very
importantly, the adult lets them know that they actually care. By entering their world, the minister then
can be introduced to others in their world, and friendships often result. By meeting youth where they are at, by
entering their environment and territory, the minister meet youth whom
otherwise they would never have had any contact.[69]
Principles of
Relational Ministry
In their book "Getting
Real: An Interactive Guide to Relational Ministry," Ken Baugh and Rich
Hurst put forward the idea that in relational ministry, there are four
principles that, when applied, "bring an individual and group to
life."[70]
The first principle involves not teaching
people about Christ, but instead discovering Him with people. This involves coming alongside people and
showing them your life and struggles, showing people a common ground and
something they can identify with in your life, this communicates to them the
gospel is authentic.[71]
The second
principle of relational ministry that Baugh and Hurst put forth is that people
naturally support that which they have helped create. Involving people in the process of setting up a ministry makes
them more likely to continue participating in that ministry. Relational ministry encourages group members
to decide their own ministry direction.
Relational ministry involves empowering people to create their own
ministries. The role of a leader in
relational ministry includes encouraging others to pursue the ministries God
has intended for them.[72]
The third
relational ministry principle involves helping people discover their calling,
rather than simply giving them a ministry job.
The role of leaders is not to motivate someone but instead create an
environment where people can discover what God is calling them to do.[73]
The fourth
and final principle of relational ministry is that church community is for
everyone, all of us have an equal need for God. "We are called to community with others seeking a
relationship with Jesus Christ,"[74]
and through this, we are enabled to experience a relationship with God and with
one another.[75] People today do not want to be told how to
live, they want someone to live it with them, they want authenticity.[76]
Conclusion
The internet
is, for many, a daily part of our lives.
Christians, as a whole, if they endeavor to remain relevant, need to
realize the powerful potential of the internet for ministry. With seekers going online for spiritual information,
it is important that Christ is there through Christian content and Christians
online.
Adolescents
are hungry for adults who care. These
same adolescents are online in high numbers, both Christian and
non-Christian. And if they see the
internet as a viable tool for evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship, we as
Christian adults need to take note. It
is important for us to understand the internet as a medium and the influence
and place it has in today's culture.
And lastly,
we need to respond to how the internet is influencing our society. We, as the Church, should not be sitting
back, but instead should be engaging it as a medium and means of ministry. If the internet is where the people are, why
are we not there with a Light?
Weblogging,
as we have seen, is a new and swiftly growing part of the internet, especially
amongst adolescents. Blogging promotes
relationship building. Weblogging
promotes community. Promoting
relational and incarnational ministry is important if Christians are to grasp,
grab a hold, and cling to a vision of ministry via weblogging. Helping people discover their calling in
this area, and involving them in the creation of this ministry are an integral
part of this promotion.
On to the Project Narrative