Much of the advice on our chat page also applies to these channels.
However, a key to evangelistic interaction here is relationship
rather than the immediate sharing which can be so successful in chat rooms.
Email
- Write an email 'signature' which appears at the end of every email you send. If you have a web-site of your own, include the URL here. Or choose the URL of another really good evangelistic page such as
Power to Change or
IamNext.com.
Describe the site in an enticing but non-preachy way. Something like "finding hope in a hopeless world" or "real answers to real problems" may encourage more people to visit the site than if you use an obviously Christian preachy description. It can be effective to have some humor in a 'signature'.
- People in chat rooms expect to discuss issues, otherwise they would not be in there. However,
friends and other contacts have not necessarily given you permission to be 'upfront' so soon.
Understand the principles of permission evangelism.
Be sensitive to the nature of the relationship you have with the person. More people become
Christians through the witness of friends that any other way. It is through genuine caring and
friendship that people become open to the Gospel. Preaching at them may scare them away.
- You can visit websites on subjects that interest you (maybe you have a site on the same subject) and see if the webmaster is open to discussion.
- Do not even think about using bulkmail to send out a Gospel message. Yes, businesses often
buy huge lists of email addresses, or harvest them from webpages using software. Spam email
is the curse of the Internet and people hate it. If you wish to email someone you do not know, send an
individual personalized message which is appropriate to that person.
- Many large outreach websites need counselors to respond to inquirers emails. Expect any
organisation needing help to vet you thoroughly before acceptance, and to require training and
accountability.
Discussion lists and newsgroups
- There are many 2-way email discussion lists to join. However, it is important that any
contribution you make to the list is broadly within the topic of the list. Off-subject postings
will not be appreciated, and members will tell you so strongly. Therefore, email comments with a
Christian comment may be more appropriate as personal replies to individual members of the list,
rather than to everyone.
- 'Newsgroups' are similar discussion forums, except that you read them and contribute using the 'newsreader' capability of your browser instead of by email.
Message boards
There are many online message boards, (also called bulletin boards or forums) offering discussion on many subjects. You add a contribution using a form on their web-page. It is important to stick to the subject of the board.
Spurious introduction of Christian things will not be appreciated! Rob Williams, a sensitive evangelist writes:
"For me, I've found a great way is to interact in discussion boards that I'm genuinely interested
in. For instance, I participate in a sports discussion board for my alma mater. I participate
occasionally but don't try to 'trick' anyone into 'bait and switch' postings. I give my opinion,
share thoughts, talk sports, etc. I just have my personal website in my profile (occasionally I
chime in with spiritual comment, usually to someone's request). Turns out, according to my
latest webstats, that the discussion board is now the top referring site to my website that isn't a
search engine!"
Instant messaging
There are a range of messaging systems such as ICQ which give you the option of real-time two-way chat (sometimes even speech) with someone else online using the same program. It's an extra channel for quick two-way interchange, and if you
are online frequently, you can offer instant messager feedback from a website. Software is now available which operates all the
main messager systems from a single interface such as
Trillian |
Jabber Central |
PraiseIM.
Penfriends
There are many people online looking for penfriends, particularly those in the non-Western world.
Of course you should be careful that requests are genuine, and not merely veiled attempts to get
money, husbands/wives, or visas. It is wisest to correspond with someone of the same gender.
There are also opportunities for snail-mail witness! For instance
Christian Penpals need more
Christians to correspond with US prisoners, mostly new Christians who need encouragement and
discipling.
