The recent pandemic impacted many stalwarts of society, including churches and people’s perception of ministry.
Living in an image conscious world in which we are constantly comparing ourselves to others, it seems almost impossible to observe others without criticizing or judging them. This is true for churches and ministries all over, especially those who primarily serve others online.
One of the questions I’ve heard come up more frequently than the rest is whether online ministry—specifically online church—is really church or ministry. Perhaps our skepticism is leftover residue hatched from the era when televangelists reigned the late night airwaves. Fair enough.
I don’t recall anyone ever seriously questioning the ministry of the late Billy Graham who revolutionized evangelism and how we think of church through his globally televised crusades.
In talking with various friends, like Troy Depue who leads Knight For God Ministries, there exists a sea of people who will not grace the doors of a traditional church because of the hurt and pain churches have wrought upon them.
Is my Christian blog a legit ministry?
Throughout history, the spreading of the Gospel has employed different methods and platforms as tools for reaching the hearts of many.
In writing his letters, the Apostle Paul, used the technology of his time—papyrus and ink—to reach those far and wide with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
While our modern digital means were beyond the imagination of Paul’s day, the principle remains steadfast. God has given us multiple tools to reach those in need of hearing the Good News surrounding Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
In 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul shares, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” This encapsulates the heart of using all available means for the purpose of ministry. Paul used every tool at his disposal to share the Gospel with all those who needed to hear it. Undoubtedly, if he were living now, Paul would leverage every method and platform available to him.
In the Acts of the Apostles, we see the early church spreading the message through a variety of means, including spoken word, letters, and personal testimony—each according to the situation and audience.
Online ministries, like my blog and other Christian blogs, are close cousins to the letters of Paul. Online platforms transcend geographical barriers, reaching into the homes and lives of those whom we may never get the opportunity to meet in person (this side of Heaven).
As with any tool used to advance the Gospel, it is essential we anchor our online platforms in truth, love, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2.15 (ESV)
We must steward our online platforms, like this blog, with prayer, integrity, and a commitment to accurately and compassionately sharing the teachings of Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, I believe blogs and online platforms can indeed be a legitimate form of Christian ministry, if they are used as a vehicle for sharing the Gospel, edifying believers, and reaching out to those seeking the truth. Obviously, as ambassadors for Christ, we must maintain the core tenets of faith and love as taught by Jesus Christ Himself and through His disciples.
What are your thoughts, dear reader:
Is my Christian blog a legit ministry?
I look forward to hearing what you have to say in the “Comments” down below.
May the Lord, our God, bless you and watch over you today and every day. May God alone guide and direct your path in all that you think, say, and do wherever you find yourself worshiping Him today.
Tell someone about Jesus today!
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
The Devotional Guy™ 
🤠
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Amen 🙏
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Thank you for reading and sharing your insights.
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Yes, it is. 3 points.
1. God’s Word will not return void. If you are putting out the Word of God, the the Lord will use it. It’s HIM who decides if your work is a ministry, no one else.
2. Jesus told the Demoniac to “Go and tell your friends the great things God hath done for you.” That’s ministry. I bet if the demoniac lived today, he would run home and post it on Facebook.
3. Paul in his day, went to the Greek market place where information was passed. That’s where he preached, and discussed. Today, that market place is the internet and social media. It drives me insane when I hear Christians dumping on social media and the internet. God gave us this blessing so we can tell the world about Him.
Thanks for your post. I love it.
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Thank you 🙏 for reading and taking time to comment, Tina. You’re right—it is a matter of how we use the tools the Lord has provided.
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Yes! If we are using our blogs, Facebook pages, IG accounts or any other platform to spread the gospel then I believe all that is considered a ministry.
And even though social media has its drawbacks, if used properly, it can be a very powerful, effective, useful tool to draw others into a personal relationship with Christ Jesus.
Thank you for bringing this topic forward for discussion.
God Bless you. 🙏🏻
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Amen 🙏
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We can’t serve the Lord in isolation. It’s good to break bread together 😀
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Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Brian. Yes, technology is a great tool to enhance our experience—but not something that is a replacement for church. However, like you mentioned, there are those who are physically unable to attend and even those that are not ready to grace the door of a church. Online and technological offerings are viable options—if not vital. Even then, they need the fellowship, care, and love of people to encourage them along their spiritual journey. For example, I know several people conducting an online Bible study who also try to meet in person outside of the Bible study whenever possible.
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I agrée with using technology but not as a replacement for fellowship and communion.
Paul writes:
“Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.” (2 John 1:12, KJV)
There is no substitute for personal interaction. And the word commands
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25, KJV) But for the infirm and sick who cannot attend fellowship, live stream ministry is a real bonus, especially in lockdown as well. And also an opportunity for potential visitors to taste and see before walking through the church doors.
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Craig—thanks for reading and commenting. We are in agreement. Personally, I believe the gathering of the church is incredibly important to our lives as believers.
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Interesting thoughts there. While websites and blogs are a very important tool to both spread the Gospel and edify the body, they are a poorer substitute for normal church life. I don’t believe the Apostle Paul would confuse the two, and neither should we.
Blessings, Craig.
http://www.headcountone.net
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Thank you for your encouraging words. And thanks for subscribing to my blog.
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I believe that you speak from the heart, soul, and mind, and yes, your blog could and should be your own ministry, and one I would love being a part of!
Do you mind if I subscribe to your blog so I can read your upcoming articles?
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That’s an excellent point! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for reading my post.
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Yes, I believe a blog I’d or can be a Ministry. After all, you are still sharing His message. Some people are bed bound or sick or may have other reasons for not attending church. You are giving them other options to continue in their spiritual journey.
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I like that response—it is a good mindset to have as we interact with others in our workplaces and other spheres of influence. We are either pointing people to Jesus or pushing them away. Thanks for taking the time to read my post and share your perspective. Blessings 🙏
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Here’s for reaching the fringes with our messages!
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I believe anything we do to further the Kingdom of Christ is our ministry. I fully believe that my accounting business is a ministry. That is where God has me, and I help folks with more that their taxes and accounting when they step through my door. I’ve listened, prayed and offered encouragement to my folks than I can remember in my office. And yes, my blog and yours and every other Christian blogger reaches farther than our immediate circle of influence, so yes, it is a ministry.
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I agree, Alan. Our blogs do not only have the potential to reach beyond our four walls—they do! I appreciate these insights that you share from your blogging experience. Thank you for reading my post(s) and for taking time to comment from across the pond. Blessings. 🙏
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I admit that I never thought of my blog as a ministry at first; but as time marches on I have become convinced it is indeed a proper God-given ministry. I have been able to share the treasure God shows me in His Word with a wider circle of brethren from many countries, and in return I have been blessed by their posts and interactions. I count myself blessed to have contact with many lovely brothers and sisters in Christ who I could not have known any other way. In recent weeks I have been writing evangelistic posts for those who are not Christians, answering prompts set by WordPress. In my view this is outreach for the 21st Century. Incidentally through this I have seen a large increase in readership from outside Christian circles.
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Honored and humbled my friend.
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Always, brother. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a better Christian blogger because of you, and a few others, who showed me what it’s all about. I was clueless when I started in 2018.
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Thank you, David. I agree, these online platforms are not a replacement, but rather an enhancement or extension of the body of Christ. But, it is also a means of connecting those on the outside looking in and inviting them in. Grateful for your comments and encouraging support.
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I agree, Bridget. We have an embarrassment of riches at our hands and feet ready to go. Thank you for reading and commenting.
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A Christian blog can’t take the place of a ⛪️ church full of flesh-and-blood believers , but it can serve much of the same purpose. My own relationship with Christ has grown through reading and interacting with wonderful Christian bloggers from both sides of the pond. I’m guessing there are also plenty who read who are on the fringes—not yet ready to walk into a church building.
I pray you and Terri have a wonderful Sunday. God Bless, my brother!
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What am amazing gift we have with modern technology, which can spread the Gospel further than we could with our own two feet! 😅
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