Internet outreach of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its supporting ministries will be coordinated by a new Global Internet Evangelism Committee, church leaders have voted.
Internet outreach of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its supporting ministries will be coordinated by a new Global Internet Evangelism Committee, church leaders have voted. The initiative was recommended by the Council on Evangelism and Witness of the world church and established by the Online Committee at the world church headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.
“The Adventist Church has always embraced new technology to share the gospel message,” says Ray Dabrowski, communication director for the church. “We are witnessing today a proliferation of initiatives, many of which are at the heart of evangelism. This coordinating [group] will facilitate [efforts so] that the online presence of Adventism is intentional, credible and authentic.”
The establishment of the new committee follows an Internet forum that drew lay members involved in Internet evangelism and church communication and technology leaders to Las Vegas, Nevada. (See “Lay Members, Church Leaders Discuss Internet Evangelism,” Adventist News Network, April 8, 2003, http://www.adventist.org/news/data/2003/03/1049806327/index.html.en)
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The new panel’s membership will draw heavily from church laity and supporting ministries, and have the support of various officials as well as resources from within the world headquarters. By emphasizing lay involvement, the church hopes to help energize individual efforts at online outreach, while making sure such efforts are coordinated.
“The Internet is a place where millions of people meet. Bad people put bad content on the Internet. It’s up to Christians to bring the good news to cyberspace. That’s where the church must meet its reality and become relevant with its message,” Dabrowski adds.
A technical working group has also been established to address technology issues and concerns among the various Internet outreaches. Elimination of duplication of efforts by individuals and church mission entities, as well as intentional approach to connect together the varied delivery systems, such as satellite TV, radio, print and the Internet, will top the agenda for the new committee.