Study Guide
THE CYBER-MINISTRY
1,239 words, about 6 min read
Bible Teachers International is one church with many different locations. The same will become even more so with the launching of our cyber-space campaigns to bring Christ to the nations of the world. We have had participation in the online church for several years now. Our Pastor Starr Groff has done a magnificent work in developing some of the elements of a prototype that can be used more extensively in our quest to evangelize the globe.
It is important that we structure our campaigns wisely and efficiently. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we make ourselves available during the times when those abiding in other nations are available. Therefore, we will study the different time zones and develop our programs, meetings and broadcasts around them. These time zones will become our territorial spheres of influence.
Each territory must be approached as a potential church or school. Thus, all the elements used in the development of a ground location should be employed in developing our cyber-churches and schools.
I. THE CYBER-CHURCH
The Cyber-Church is a body of believers who are brought together by a particular time zone. Keep in mind that a time zone could span across several states, parishes or provinces. Therefore, it is possible that the original people attending a Cyber Church may live hundreds of miles apart. However, the continued diligence of such a church could begin to identify those who live within a reasonable proximity of one another. Wherever possible, it is always the goal of the ministry to set up ground locations.
Starting the Church
Starting a church in cyberspace is not much different from starting one in a ground location. Many of the same requirements are necessary; however, the costs are astoundingly different. The Web Conferencing Program will provide a facility for 100 or more churches. Each room in this program becomes the sanctuary and each sanctuary is capable of additional rooms for multiple meetings.
It would be a good and wise move for us to consider that there are thousands of people within our own location cities, and towns who do not attend our churches.
Is it not practical for us to reach out to them as well? Many would attend an Internet meeting in which they are not in the least bit intimidated as they do not have to disclose their true identity.
Many types of media could be utilized to inform locals of the online assembly.
Flyers: Thousands of postcard size flyers will be manufactured at the Global Training Center. (This can be done for a fraction of what it would cost outside the ministry.) These flyers are to be distributed to homes, apartments, stores, beauty parlors, barber shops, gas stations restaurants and any other place that will allow such. Each location is to submit their orders to the GTC for printing in a timely manner that will give an adequate turn-around time. However, the composition or content for flyers are the responsibility of the local assembly. A media bank will be provided in which graphics may be acquired.
The Communications Department will work with designated personnel in the acquisition of clean lists.
MBM Global must expand its duties to include the functions of an Events Committee. This committee is a group of volunteers who will keep track of all apostolic functions and all the particulars associated with said functions. This information must be passed along to the affected departments including an Advertising Committee.
It is most important that we maintain the same growth path online as we do in ground locations.
A. Apostolic Influence: It is important that the message is kept at the same level of spirituality as that offered at the GTC. Therefore, only the messages ministered by the apostles and other approved prophetic ministers will be featured during structured services.
B. Discipleship Sessions: It is imperative that these sessions take place. It is a time for the pastor to piece meal the Word into the hearts of the people. These discipleship sessions can be accomplished by a conferencing program the GTC will make available to each Cyber-Pastor. The ministers must make sure the sessions remain on track. Although it is a time of questions and answers, discussions and revelation, it is important that these forums stay true to the subject matter and address the legitimate need of the constituents.
C. Evangelism: A pre-authorized team of evangelists must be trained to go into online chat rooms and discussion forums to introduce this word to others. This must be done in a loving and kind manner, without the air of high-mindedness or competitiveness. These are ready-made audiences. However, the evangelist must be able to develop their own chat rooms and discussions forums, as well. The intent is two-fold. You must endeavor to win souls for the Kingdom as well as direct them to your Cyber-Church or school for further development.
D. Training: Whatever training is offered at the GTC can be made available to any time zone. Pastors must not neglect to point your people to this valuable asset. You must not approach the Cyber-Church as something abstract. It is made up of real people who are just as hungry and thirsty for the Word as you were.
E. Youth Ministry: When we think of the Online Church, we tend to forget about the youth; but they are just as important as the adults. Our ground youth ministries must become more innovative and consider that there are youth around the world who have been introduced to this ministry. Our youth ministry must be more than informative but interactive as well. Youth are easily bored and if they are not taught in a participatory manner, they will soon withdraw.
F. The School: Each member of the Cyber-Church should be encouraged to take these classes. They are the training tools utilized by the ministry. Courses are now available through the MBGTC.
G. Administration: Each Cyber-Church is required to have a church administrator. The responsibilities are outlined in the administration manual. However, there are other areas of administration that may become necessary to install.
II. The MBGTC: Only authorized courses are to be taught in the Mary Banks Ministries Global Training Center Online Division. School personnel will schedule Fast Track Training Courses in each of the Time zones requesting such. A staff of teachers will be assigned to each time zone.
III. Personnel: All ministerial personnel are required to submit their ministerial profile to our Human Resources Department. This profile will be e-mailed to you. Please complete it and return it to Human Resources. It will allow Bishop Rolle and I (Dr. Banks) to know what man-power we have and who is available to work certain time zones.
IV. Scheduling: Those who are assigned to a time zone other than their own will utilize the websites, www.timeanddate.com and www.timeanddate.com/worldclock for scheduling. Bishop Dexter Rolle is the overseer of the Online Church and will be responsible for maintaining a campaign chart that will show all those who are assigned and the territories to which they are assigned. In addition, each minister will be given a curriculum to guide them in ministry.