Want to be an influencer for society? Did you know some of the world's top blogs are reaching tens of millions of people every month? Huffington Post, Business Insider, and LifeHacker to name a few.
These blogs are no longer one person sitting in a home office writing stuff they're passionate about—although it's likely they started that way. For some, blogging has actually become big business, and many bloggers are considered the leading commentators on news and issues in society. But, imagine a Christian blog reaching millions a year for Christ. Doesn't that get you thinking?
It certainly has me thinking and earlier this year I stepped out to join the other million plus blogs on the Internet. It's scary and intimidating, but I see the potential to represent Christ to an audience across the world without barriers of time zones, a physical presence and even language (thanks to Internet translation services).
My blog, www.abrokenmanblog.com, is currently just a small fish in the ocean and I may never hit the big time; but as Christians we need to seize this opportunity. Using the talents and passion God has instilled in me, plus some faith, I'm stepping out to make an impact on the nations, and I'm dreaming big.
Discipleship and the power of the Internet
To speak boldly: I see a future movement of God—with both faith building discipleship and upfront evangelism—reaching beyond any current level of a crusade or discipleship training.
It's not that evangelistic crusades aren't relevant or powerful, nor that personal Christian fellowship can be replaced by web services, because both are important (and the latter essential), but there's more than we've discovered with the power of the Internet.
For every 10 million views on a popular blog or for the millions of blog posts published per day, imagine if the market share of the posts people read were about life and faith from a Christian perspective?
Right now, cyberspace is filled with viral videos of some random person dancing, gossip and entertainment news from Hollywood, or tips and facts for a 'better you'. Sometimes I'll get sucked in by headlines or wowed by incredible acts of humanity, but most of the content on the Internet does not add real value to our lives.
Still, in a society being ruled by technology, we can't turn our eyes away and try to hide. Technology isn't going away. Yes, it can be dangerous for our faith; but what if it became a catalyst for faith or the cause of breakthrough in our lives? What if technology stopped ruling us and we seized control, using this form of media to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth as we have been commanded?
Jesus said, 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit'—Matthew chapter 28, verse 19.
Changing the Internet to change the culture
As younger generations are exposed and educated in technology from a very young age it's highly unlikely the Internet will lose its grip on society. Before we lose future generations to the rubbish on the Internet, let's become influencers and the lead commentators on real and current issues.
The Church has an embarrassing history of trying to reject social trends and technology e.g. musical instruments and the film industry. Hopefully this time we can allow the Lord to guide us forward into a leadership role and bring glory to His name through this new format of expression.
Blogging isn't for everyone (I have to admit it does take a considerable amount of time and effort) but why not use social media as an avenue to spread the good news? Post comments about living out your faith, share blog posts you agree with to your social network; subscribe to newsletters from bloggers/Christian news sites to give you a Christian perspective on issues.
My blog may never reach 10 million people a month (that's up to the Lord) but if 20,000 of us reached 500 people every month with the gospel this could be the start of something. The average number of friends per Facebook page is about 350 so if we post to these friends on a monthly basis and they share some of your content 500 is easily within reach.
The sky's the limit and I've chosen not to let technology rule me, but to allow God to use me.
Tim Wilson is an Australian currently living in Canada with his wife (also a comment writer) and their three children. He is passionate about the Church living according to the Word of God and authors a blog to inspire and challenge men and women of faith.www.abrokenmanblog.com
Tim Wilson's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/tim-wilson.html
