| "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and | | | | meetings can be held at your church activity building. |
| preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15. See, | | | | This allows you and other church members in your |
| that didn't take very long did it? Easier said than done, | | | | group to grow great personal friendships with them. It |
| you may say. But God has provided every single | | | | is much easier to ask a friend to church than to ask a |
| Christian a way to bring others to Him. It is so easy | | | | stranger. And you would be having the time of your |
| and so enjoyable that most of us have overlooked this | | | | life. |
| wonderful way to bring others to Christ. | | | | Do you have a professional interest? Invite others to |
| In the opening scripture above, Jesus did not say that | | | | help you explore a relatively new online technology. |
| the whole world should go to church; He said the | | | | Research something specific. Develop an expertise in |
| church should go into the whole world. But the internet | | | | a particular area. This is a wide-open field. The potential |
| provides opportunity to do both -to go into the world | | | | is mind-blowing. |
| and bring them to church. The Internet is the new | | | | If you have come through a difficult personal problem |
| missions field of the 21st century, and we all have the | | | | or illness, you can be sure that is a felt need for millions |
| potential to serve as cyber-evangelists. | | | | of others. |
| Let me introduce you to the "Bridge Strategy". | | | | Here is an example of a bridge site that was |
| Thousands of Christians are discovering "Bridge Sites". | | | | developed by four women in a church that had |
| There are so many great sites that can be linked to | | | | experienced abortions. They had received forgiveness |
| and utilized allowing us to build sites (even if we have | | | | and found victory over their guilt. After their victory the |
| little knowledge and communication skills), to minister to | | | | burden was transformed to a gift from God that |
| the world and also to bring the lost into our churches. | | | | provided them an opportunity to build a bridge to bring |
| The Lord has blessed us with great technology via the | | | | others to their church and to Christ. |
| internet. But the church has failed to grow with time, | | | | Note: They placed this classified in their local |
| content to recruit new members as our great | | | | newspaper each week, "I had an abortion. . . Do you |
| grandfathers did. | | | | need help? shareyourpain.com" |
| The church has lost more members in the last 10 | | | | Following is the introduction on their home page. |
| years than in the rest of the century. The church of | | | | Please Share Your Pain With Me |
| America is not speaking the language of our current | | | | Regardless of what spiritual path you follow - or even |
| generation and is desperately struggling to become | | | | if you are not "spiritual"at all - we want you to know |
| culturally relevant. | | | | that we accept you. Everyone is welcome Although |
| Does this mean that the gospel is to be watered | | | | we may disagree on spiritual issues, we are nothere to |
| down into a comfortable fluffy package that favors | | | | "convert" you. We believe that it is God who changes |
| entertainment? On the contrary, it allows us to take | | | | hearts, not people. |
| the very foundations of our faith and empower the | | | | Our main goal is to love you, accept you and help you |
| church to communicate more efficiently with each | | | | if you are hurting. Wecan't help you if you won't allow |
| other through a means that our generation can and will | | | | us to. We invite you to stay whether or not youagree |
| identify with. God is leading us into the twenty-first | | | | with us spiritually. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, |
| century, and we must learn how to adapt our ministry | | | | we have been hurtby abortion just like you. If that is all |
| to a changing culture. | | | | we have in common, it is enough. |
| Most unchurched people prefer not to be approached | | | | The web site offered links to several professional |
| by Christians that appear to be too preachy or too | | | | counseling sites. Articles ofencouragement were |
| churchy. But we can build bridges that aren't intimidating | | | | posted weekly, and readers were invited to join a |
| to them and will gently bring them into a friendly | | | | supportgroup at their local Church. Comments are |
| relationship with us. Once friendships are made both | | | | posted by members to the site with their own tragic |
| parties feel less pressure. | | | | stories. |
| All online non-Christians are searching for websites on | | | | CAUTION: In-Church "Felt Need Ministries" such as this |
| needs they have, and topics that interest them. | | | | should require mature Christian leadership, professional |
| Therefore to reach non-Christians, we must create | | | | volunteers if possible and Pastor approval. |
| websites around the topics and felt needs that they | | | | Regardless of how we received these gifts from God, |
| have. | | | | we are commanded to use them for God's purpose. |
| God has given all Christians gifts that can be used as | | | | "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and |
| bridges to bring others to church first and then to | | | | preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15. |
| Christ. We receive those gifts in several ways. | | | | Bridge Sites typically bring 50-100 new members to a |
| If you have a hobby or sport, you share that interest | | | | church each year. |
| with millions of others. The unchurched are looking for | | | | Permission to Reprint - You may reprint this article to |
| information for example, gardening, that you can share | | | | provide content to your website, ezine or emails. |
| a common interest with. This provides a way to bring | | | | However you may not change any content, and you |
| them gently to you. And at the local level you can | | | | must keep the author byline and URL intact. |
| organize regular meetings to exchange ideas. These | | | | |