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You
may be wondering how to evaluate your
progress with the people you minister
to online. No one is out there grading
your ministry, there's no report card
or meeting to discuss your progress.
Often you don't receive feedback on
whether you have had an impact in someone's
life, so how do you know if you're succeeding?
Here are some suggestions and questions
to help you review your efforts in your
online ministry role.
The
greatest mentor and counselor was and
is Jesus Christ and you can look to
Him as your role-model. Allow Him to
change your character and skills so
that you become a Christ-like minister
to those whose lives you touch. Make
sure that you are spending time with
Him every day. Our ability to minister
comes out of our own relationship with
Christ. The more you grow spiritually,
the closer you get to Christ, the better
you will be able to minister to others.
What
should be your goal in online ministry?
The goal is to help facilitate people's
spiritual growth and development. We
want to see this growth greatly impact
all aspects of their personal and interpersonal
life. Our aim is to move individuals
towards dependence on Christ and interdependence
on the body of Christ. Remember that
success in witnessing is simply taking
the initiative to share Christ in the
power of the Holy Spirit and leaving
the results to God.
Here
are some scriptures that build a foundation
for your online ministry. Why not print
these out and keep one or two by your
computer? Have them handy so that you
can be encouraged while you are ministering.
- Eph
4:11,14 "It was he who gave some
to be apostles, some to be prophets,
some to be evangelists, and some to
be pastors and teachers, to prepare
God's people for works of service,
so that the body of Christ may be
built up until we all reach unity
in the faith and in the knowledge
of the Son of God and become mature,
attaining to the whole measure of
the fullness of Christ. Then we will
no longer be infants."
- Rom.
12:15 "Rejoice with those who
rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
- Col
3:16 "Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly as you teach and
admonish one another with all wisdom."
- I
Thess. 5: 14 "And we urge you,
brothers, warn those who are idle,
encourage the timid, help the weak,
be patient with everyone."
- Heb
3:13 "But encourage one another
daily, as long as it is called today,
so that none of you may be hardened
by sin's deceitfulness."
- Gal
6:2 "Carry each other's burdens,
and in this way you will fulfill the
law of Christ."
What
does a Christ-like mentor look like?
- Shows
compassion ...by providing empathy,
concern and support. When necessary
provides referral for emotional, spiritual,
physical, relational and financial
needs.
" Impacts people for Jesus Christ...by
leading people to salvation and/or
assurance of their salvation.
- Intervenes
skillfully ..To assist people to identify
their problems, evaluate options,
resources, and ideas. Helps them develop
a plan of action to solve their problems
within a biblical framework.
- Trains
people in biblical skills for living
...by confronting sinful behavior,
helping people repent and walk in
obedience to God's Word in fellowship
with the Holy Spirit.
- Restores
people to lives of effective worship
& service ....by guiding people
into a more intimate relationship
with Jesus Christ, encouraging fellowship,
and preparing him or her for personal
ministry.
When
you are responding to people challenge
yourself with the following questions:
1.
Am I demonstrating concern to the people
I dialogue with?
2. Am I expressing the gospel effectively
with those who are not saved or may
be seeking?
3. Am I sharing options and resources
which will help meet this person's most
critical concerns?
4. Am I speaking the truth in love when
someone writes that he or she is living
a sinful life regarding issues of: abortion,
sexual immorality, homosexuality, substance
abuse, lying, cheating, gambling, gossiping,
etc.?
5. Am I motivating Christians and non-Christians
to surrender their lives fully to Christ
and get involved in a solid Christian
church for fellowship and service?
Your
online ministry will be blessed as you
follow in the foot-steps of Christ challenging
people with biblical truth:
- John
8:31 Jesus said, "If you hold
to my teaching, you are really my
disciples."
- John
10:7 Jesus said again, "I tell
you the truth, I am the gate for the
sheep."
- John
21:16 Jesus said, "Take care
of my sheep."
 ~
Lynette J. Hoy, NCC, LCPC is a marriage
and family counselor and the Director
of LifeCARE Ministries at Calvary Memorial
Church. She is the co-author of What's
Good About Anger? Read more about her
work and ministry at: What's
Good About Anger and Counsel
Care Connection
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