How can Storytelling & Digital Evangelism

Grow Your Ministry?

About

This guide is made available to you so that you can have a foundational understanding of online evangelism.

Whether you are building your church’s online presence, you run an independent ministry, or you are an online missionary in your spare time, you can apply these principles to your work.

Be sure to check the other resources made available to you by the Center for Online Evangelism.

By the end of this presentation, you should be able to:

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List List 2 practical ways to implement the pillars in your ministry

Name Name the three important pillars of Digital Evangelism

Explain Explain the link between Storytelling and Digital Evangelism

What is Digital Evangelism?

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The methodical use of online platforms to help individuals online learn more about Jesus Christ.

Websites, blogs, social media sites, podcasts, chatrooms, discussion boards, and video sharing platforms are a few methods used.

Digital Evangelism also boosts the presence of the Seventh-day Adventist church so that seekers will be correctly informed about our faith.

There is a discipleship aspect that focuses on making disciples of followers.

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Most Important Aspects of Digital Evangelism

Storytelling

Building Community

Sharing The Gospel

Pillar 1:Storytelling

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Stories we consume shape us

profoundly. Stories change people’s

beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes

because whatever is happening to

the character is also happening to us.

– Jonathan Gottschall

Why is Storytelling so Powerful?

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Your brain can’t tell the difference between story and real life. Its activity is the same as the character’s.

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When we hear or read a story, the same part of the brain that would physically do something is activated.

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People remember information embedded in a story rather than cold facts.

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What does this have to do with Digital Evangelism?

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The success of your online ministry depends on how well you tell a story.

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Jesus’ Ministry centered on telling heart-transformingstories.

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Jesus Spoke in Parables

• To relate to His listeners

• To help his believers understand

• To conceal the mystery from others

• He created us as storytelling beings

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The Enemy has a counterfeit for everything God created –

even Storytelling.

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3 Ways to Grow Your Ministry Using

Storytelling

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1. Instead of sharing only cold facts and scripture (w/o context), share stories of how the Gospel changes lives.

(Photo credit: Hacksaw Ridge)

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2. Share Your Personal Story

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3. Consider the action you want your audience to take and craft stories showing characters taking that action.

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Common Online Methods You Can Use to Tell a Story

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Blog Podcast

Facebook YouTube

Online small group

Articles

Pillar 2:Community

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Social Media Ministry is NOT Broadcast Media

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Build an Online Community through Your Ministry

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Connecting your online audience with a physical community is important

Connecting

Creating an online mission station or community hub with help people connect

Creating

This video gives an idea of what an online digital

community of faith is like…

How to Build Community in a Digital Environment

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EngageEngage with your audience

StartStart a Facebook Groups

LaunchLaunch online small groups (video)

Create Create an Email list

Why Create a Facebook Group?

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Can start conversations

Page followers become participants

You can learn more about your audience

This increases your reach through Facebook’s algorithm

10 Tips to Maintain a Group

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Welcome people to the group

Create posts that will engage your audience

List rules of engagement

Remember you are a Group Leader as well as a member

Affirm group members when post

10 Tips to Maintain a Group

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RemindRemind group members that it’s ok to disagree, but in a Christlike way

UseUse the mentorship option to pair people in your group

Pray Pray for your group members

Treat Treat your group as a community of faith

EncourageEncourage your group members to visit their local Adventist church

Launch Online Small

Groups

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Your church or ministry can use video

conferencing apps such as Zoom to create

online meetings.

If visitors to your website or social media

page are interested in studying the Bible

or joining a support group, but are not

physically able to attend your church, an

online meeting can help bridge this gap.

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Ideas for Online Video Groups

Bible studySupport group for single moms

Online youth group meeting

Live cooking demos

Vesper worshipOvercoming addictions

Q&A sessions with your pastor

Christian Book Club

Marriage Counseling

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How tolaunch anonline videogroup

Pray for direction and guidance

Download Zoom and create a free account

Plan and Schedule your meetings

Promote your online meeting

Ask those interested to submit their email

Send out invitations via email

Launch your meeting

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Key Points aboutOnline Bible Studies

Be Creative

Use Attractive Slides

Engage Your Contacts

Keep Groups Small

Repurpose Content

Leading an online group has its perks and challenges.

Technology can be tricky, especially when trying to connect with people in different parts of the world.

Consider applying the following tips to ensure your contacts enjoy meeting with you.

Important Points to Remember

• Value your online community as you would a physical church

• Choose the leader of your online groups carefully

• Be consistent with meeting times

• Remember the goal is to connect your followers with a local church

Pillar 3:Sharing the Gospel

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What’s the End Goal?

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Online Ministries are a means to an end; they are not the end.

The end is introducing the online community to Jesus Christ.

Sharing the Gospel

Whatever platform you choose to use or whatever topic forms the basis of your online ministry, ensure that you give your audience a clear opportunity to hear the Gospel.

This might mean, writing the Gospel invitation at the end of your blog or inviting them to have a saving relationship with Jesus at the end of a video.

As the Spirit leads you, you will know the best time and way to extend the invitation.

How can we do this?

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Specific Calls-to-Actions (CTAs)

Clearly presenting the Gospel

Follow up with your audience

Get Free Resources to Strengthen Your Online Ministry

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