Scholars and historians have speculated that one of the reasons why God chose to send His Son to planet earth in Century One is because of the Roman Road. It was through that road that news traveled all across the world rather quickly.
Today’s Roman Road, it seems to me, is the Internet. In particular, Blogs, Twitter, Google+, etc.
Information, knowledge, resources, and ideas spread quickly and widely via these modes. And sometimes they can have a viral effect, reaching thousands, even millions of people.
Yet . . . scores of Christians do not use these tools.
To my mind, every follower of Jesus should seriously consider getting on the Roman Road and use it to share what they are learning about the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s purpose, and what He’s doing.
Personally, I believe blogs are the most effective means for this. Especially for those who are motivated to see change in the Body of Christ. Of course, the new Roman Road is also useful to share Christ with those who do not know Him and are seeking to find Him (whether they realize it or not).
For more on this, check out The Buzz Seminar Master Class. It will teach you how to make an enormous impact as a blogger.
First Chapters
Good post – Thanks, Frank. I use Facebook for posting and have mostly used Twitter as a way to follow others & news events. But, YES, I sometimes “share” YOUR comments! As a writer with my first book published early this year, I have somewhat reluctantly started a blog (http://bit.ly/f6s6aM) but haven’t yet figured out a way to generate good traffic. I want to do more.
I would love to get on the Road. I don’t know how to use the technology. How do you start a blog or a twitter? How do folks find you?
Challenges me to be more strategic in my use of twitter, fb and blog. Cheers
Great post Frank. Last Sunday I encourgaed those we share together with your exact sentiments. At least one of our women who is a Bible class teacher has responded by saying “yes”, she is willing to start the blogging journey. We have a single mother who is doing an excellent job raising 4 children who can share how the Lord has been faithful to her in His provisions for her. I am sure there are other mothers who can be encouraged by her, and who knows what doors of help the Lord will open to her for His life to touch others. Hopefully more will say “yes” to blogging, twitting, youtubing, etc..
Thanks frank,
God moved me through your post. I will learn to be faithful in being a channel to others.
Visit my blog when you have the time 🙂 Its also on the blog lists on your page
http://pastorkid.wordpress.com/
I have a website, blog, twitter, facebook and friendfeed. I use them all differently, but the aim si to reach people for Christ and/or encourage them in their faith. I just see them as so vital in todays world. As you say they are today’s Roman Roads.
Frank: So how do we get those you referenced out of the boat and onto the streets?
Gordon: Don’t know how to get such folks on the Roman Road, except to share the value of it as I’ve done in this post. Perhaps if everyone who reads the post “shares” it with others via the Internet, it may go viral. And perhaps the Lord will use it to inspire many to get on the Road.
There are plenty of Christians on that Roman Road, but unfortunately the bulk of them are just talking to their travelling companions, sparing little time for strangers in strange lands. Mostly its inhouse Christian conversations. I rarely hear the gospel amongst socially networked Christians. I think something more is required than simply being on the road.
Matt: Thanks for the comment; I believe you. In my world, I know a boatload who have a great deal to share with the Body of Christ for it’s equipping and upbuilding and perfecting as well as with seekers . . . but they aren’t using the road at all. I’m speaking of believers who aren’t just repeating the status quo, pop, traditional Christian culture. Yes, those are in abundance on the Internet. Tru dat.
Thanks for this, Frank. Thinking about what you write this afternoon, it occured to me that there were an order, a progression of communication, with a common thread.
First, sea-travel, roads, printing, radio, television, post, telephone, faxes, email, internet – all getting faster…..as if creation is moving toward a climactic event. I wonder what that might be?!
People like you and me can put something on the net now, and within minutes, seconds even, with the right infrastructure, millions can read it. We need to make sure, doubly sure, it’s right!
On my friend Nick Runyon’s recommendation, I came to visit. I’m glad I did. Just moments ago, I was praying about next steps with some of the very things mentioned in your well-written post.
I have a blog, Christian Media 2.0. The tag line is, “For the first time in history we have the technology to reach the world with the gospel.” I’m on board with your premise. The blog is a flagship where I produce content to serve individuals and organizations using media and technology for the gospel. Twitter and Facebook are supporting affiliate channels, creating a loop effect and synergy between the three mediums.
Along with Nick, I’m also an online missionary with Global Media Outreach. With their tools,
we’re able to provide new believers, and seekers too, with care, connection, community and access to quality Christian resources online, such as http://www.FollowingthePath.com and .
When I’m done here, there’s an email waiting from M.P in Macau China, who has written to say she’s recommitted her life to Christ. Would you pray for her today?
We live in amazing point in history Frank. God has created the network and we have a responsibility to use it for His purposes and glory, to the end of the age. How we do so is one of the great challenges facing the Church today.
May God help us all to determine how to faithfully use the resources He’s entrusted us, and give us the wisdome to find new ways of working together to complete the mission.
Great to be on the Roman Road with you and the others here.
Hi Frank – my gift flows as wise counsel, and so I’ve picked a couple of online forums where men post to talk through ideas and issues, and actively seek counsel for areas where they’re stuck or hurting. It’s been really fruitful. I can hit the couple of forums in the early morning at home, and lunch-breaks or downtimes at work.
But I’ve resisted facebook, twitter, blogging etc; bcs I have a large family with young children, and every second of home-life is alive with face-to-face engagement with them; plus the time needed for church-life, etc. Just adding this bcs on the negative side, I’ve been tempted and also seen many men use media as an escape from up-close-and-personal responsibilities; and so boundaries & priorities are wise to have in place.
Tribe: Yep. One must pick and choose which venues to use and how.
Frank, I love your encouragement to use Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, etc. to share Jesus. I couldn’t agree more! The great thing about the Internet is that people searching for Jesus are coming in search for Jesus now. Somewhere around 2 Million people search for answers about God on the Internet everyday. People are traveling today’s Roman Road looking for truth. The body of Christ should have a clear voice proclaiming the truth about Jesus to those looking online, and Facebook and blogs are a great way to meet them with truth. Check out http://www.GreatCommission2020.com and be encouraged. I work with Global Media Outreach and we’re currently seeing more than 6,000 people a day asking to know more about Jesus. If you can email, and want to share Jesus, visit (Sorry to sound like a pitch. I get pretty excited about internet evangelism) God bless!
I really like the Roman Road analogy I have been trying to convince my friends to engage the technology for some time to fill between the times that we gather. I don’t know why they seem to be reluctant. I however have started a blog and use FB. The blog is only a week old hoping for more comments I guess it will take some time. Looking forward to Frank sharing his blog experiences tomorrow.
@Dan: That’s true, but “misinformation” can be spread through any means of communication. We just notice it so easily with the Internet because it’s so immediate and widespread. But then again, isn’t that what makes it a great tool, too? I believe part of the key to harnessing the “good stuff” out there is by sticking with communities, like this one, and start your searching by using trusted links from others in the faith.
Guess the opposite problem is that there is alot of bad information out there under the guise of Christian teaching. But generally the internet is a great medium to spread and represent the Gospel.
Dan: You are correct, and add to that, some people use the Internet to malign and trash other people and spread misinformation or things that hurt others. So these tools can be used for good or for evil. I feel the weight of this responsibility myself as someone who blogs, and so I’m quite careful what I post. I seek to use the venue to glorify the Lord and edify His people.
Yep, that is great encouragment! I’ve been pursuing this line of outreach for a while on facebook and more recently by blogging, and I often feel “in over my head.” If and when friends comment in disagreement, it can be a downer for me. But it has been an excercise of my faith to keep my head up, learn from my mistakes, and keep keep pumping out replies prayerfully and lovingly.
http://esztertun.wordpress.com
Great analogy. My hope is that just as the invention of the printing press ended widespread ignorance and the stranglehold of Roman Catholic false teaching and helped start the reformation, that the internet will help start a new reformation in the body of Christ.
Wow, that is a great comparison/picture…makes me look at those resources in a whole new light!
I normally use my Facebook status to post things I am learning about Christ and the eternal purpose, but it has been a while since I have blogged about any of it. I’ve been meaning to get back to it…I think the reason I haven’t is because I am such a perfectionist in the flesh. I feel like when I blog, it has to be something spectacularly well-written. It’s something I need to get over, for certain. This may be the encouragement I need…thanks!
Ah, Frank, you’ve hit on a subject (as usual) near and dear to my heart. I’m on Facebook and a blogger as well. My blog is linked to your site and vice versa (easy to do). I also have a prayer chain web site complete with a message board. I say all this not to be braggadocios, but to encourage others that, if I can do it at my age and with my health, you can too.
I look at blogging like journaling. Especially my experiences in my walk with the Lord. My grown children read my blog and, I hope, one day my grandchildren will as well. I believe we all have a story to tell, an experience to share to encourage others. We can do this so easily now and you’ve hit the nail on the head. For Christians, it’s not the ‘information super highway’….it’s another road aptly called The New Roman Road.
This is a fantastic post, Frank. I’m going to have to retweet and reblog this one. I’ve worked with a lot of ministries and individuals and the general stance with regard to the Internet and especially social media is one of using them as a business card and informational brochure.
But instead, we should see these things as interactive tools that can be used to truly make an impact across the Internet. I appreciate your thoughts and visionary outlook!
I did not realize the ministry opportunity when I started blogging a little over a year ago, but now coming up to nearly 5000 hits on my blog, I am very well aware of the opportunity that has been given me to minister and spread the Gospel, and to be an encourager to a world-wide audience. The outreach potential for Facebook, Twitter and a host of other social networking sites is also huge! Thanks Frank for encouraging us to use this new “Roman Road” and use it to God’s Glory!
Blessings,
Lynn
http://lynndove.wordpress.com/