Using the Internet as a Tool of the Gospel Part 2

Using the Internet as a Tool of the Gospel

Part Two:

“Internet Users” is a People Group

 

“Internet Users” Is A People Group

Since the Internet is a mission field then it follows that “Internet Users” is a people group.  The 1982 Lausanne Committee Chicago meeting statement defines a “people group” as:

“A significantly large sociological grouping of individuals who perceive themselves to have a common affinity with one another.  For evangelization purposes, a people group is the largest group within which the gospel can spread as a church-planting movement without encountering barriers of understanding or acceptance.”  Of course, when this statement was written, we were unaware in the general public of the concept of the Internet and of its ability to empower individuals.  But, by using the first sentence in the definition, “Internet Users” is a people group as individuals have a “common affinity with one another.”  The common affinities include using the Internet for many reasons such as business, news, entertainment, and social networking.  On the Internet, you can find like-minded people, do business, find and build relationships, download and upload news and opinions, find entertainment, and learn from others about life, love, and languages.  These reasons are “needs based” as individuals find online what they are seeking.

Another common factor for “Internet Users” is that they go online as individuals who have a choice as to what content they will consume.  They may, or may not, allow that which defines them in real life to impact their online activity.  For example, a Muslim seeking an understanding of who Jesus is, may not feel safe in asking people in his reality but will do so online with the anonymity and security that it affords.  A devout Christian man would never visit a brothel and yet is tempted to delve into the depths of pornography online.   Regardless of what they do, they have a choice and that is a “common affinity.” 

While people make their individual choices to go online and to visit specific websites and online communities, they join others to form groups online.  In fact, there was one group that formed because of their common desire to see their denomination return to its “glory days” that united the group on a Facebook page and then resulted in their annual conference meeting in the real world.

            In one sense, the concept of “people group” has directed missions agencies and missionaries to focus reaching people as groups and losing the fact that we can minister to individuals.  Ministry opportunities online offers believers ministry on an individual basis rather than projecting their evangelistic message to crowds or to train others to minister.  Obviously, we need ministry in all forms and to all people. 

            In the real world, a key fact in the consideration of people groups in language, geography, and tribal affiliation.  The end result is that missionaries will have an idea how best to approach a people group with the intent of creating a “redemptive bridge” between the audience and themselves so that the Gospel can be shared, churches can be planted, and local people can be trained.  This must continue.

            At the same time, the mission field of the Internet has empowered individuals to reach out of the realities of their physical world, go online, and search for answers to their needs, the issues of life that challenge them, trouble them, or addresses their quest for more information.  So, “Internet Users” are individuals who join the Internet community for the same reasons and interact with the same desired outcomes.  The difference between the virtual and real worlds is that online they reach out willingly, share personal details of their lives, actively seek answers to their needs, and desire someone to engage them on a variety of levels.  They are in the Internet marketplace reaching out.  We must use their reaching out as an opportunity to tell them about Jesus.

            As people migrate to other nations, some by necessity and others willingly, and are forced to adapt, the concept of defining them by their languages, tribal affiliation, and geography becomes increasingly difficult.  Also, when they become believers in Christ, their identity in the family of God trumps all other designations.  This task is best left to the missiologists.  However, an increasing number of these same people go online to join the Internet culture and are empowered to express their voice, engage others, and find solutions to their life issues.  Thus, we must add to the conversation about “people groups” the mission field of the Internet and “Internet Users” as a people group.  

            “Internet Users” is a people group that is growing to the point that its members would not enjoy life without it.  As people around the world join together online, “globalism” as a world system has developed and forces us not to be limited by geography or language but to consider how people can interact on a global scale.