What are the seminars all about? What will we learn? I've made a basic synopsis of the major topics covered in the seminar, here, to help you in your decision whether to book a seminar in your town or church. Also take a look at the link to Advantages to Local Church at right.
Surrender
We can't give what we don't have, so in order to be an effective internet missionary, and bring others to Christ, we must first HAVE Christ in our hearts, and be fully surrendered to Him, and allow Him to work through us!
Power of Prayer
When I was first ministering, one blessing that God gave me was a friend that would stop what he was doing, anytime I asked, and pray for whoever I asked, without question. The importance of prayer, in ministry, cannot be overstated. Personal prayer, and back-up prayer ministry is vital. If you're too shy to get out and talk to people, you can be a powerful force in internet ministry by being a prayer partner with someone who does go out.
Dependence on Christ for Words
All the human wisdom in the world cannot read the hearts or personalities or characters of those to whom we minister. We cannot truly know a person as God can. Part of our surrender, in a ministry setting, to be effective, requires asking Him to speak through us. He has promised to give us the words to speak: "Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit." Mark 13:11 God has promised to give us the words to speak, when we need them. He will certainly guide us in His commissioned outreach!
Importance of Personal Bible Study
Again, we can't give what we don't have. The Holy Spirit has been promised to remind us of the things we have learned: "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26 But He has not been promised to bring things to us that we have never learned! Time in the Word and Spirit of Prophecy is a most powerful tool in ministry of any kind! But it's especially helpful in internet ministry, because due to the nature of the ministry, you don't know what subject will come up, or what topic you will be suddenly having a spontaneous bible study on!
Collecting Resources
Because of the nature of this ministry, one has valuable resources at one's fingertips, if one takes the time to prepare. My most useful online tool, in ministry, is a concordance. Often a verse will pop into my head, but I don't know where it's from, so I'll bring up the concordance, and ten seconds later have it copy pasted in the conversation, with verse reference, to encourage or enlighten the person with whom I speak. Also, as you read more of Spirit of Prophecy in your personal study, resources such as online books on the EG White estate can come in handy. In talking with people, and hearing their needs, you may decide that what would help them the most is to read Steps to Christ, or maybe for another person Great Controversy would be an ideal first read. There are entire prophecy seminars online that can be watched together or separately. Many Christian songs can be found on youtube, and the links be sent to encourage someone who's down. These are a few examples...
Building a Ministry Team
Support and backup is important in any ministry. One can DO ministry solo, but it's always more effective in twos, or teams. There's a reason why Christ sent his disciples out in twos. There's a reason why He had a team of disciples, and didn't just go do all His ministry alone. "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Eccl 4:9,10,12 A ministry team is helpful in support as well as safety, which is our next topic.
Safety Plan
The internet is a wonderful source of many good things. It is also a source of unspeakable corruption. The ever-present danger in any kind of outreach is that while reaching out to draw others to Christ, there is the danger of being drawn away. There is also the danger of harm to our persons. There are many horror stories of people unwittingly becoming victims of internet scams or stalking, etc. It's important to know some of the dangers out there, so as to be educated on how to avoid them. It's also important to develop a personal set of rules in order to avoid giving out too much information to strangers who may not have your best interest at heart.
Where to Find People Who are Seeking
The internet is huge. The internet is strange. How does one FIND the people to minister to? I'll address this topic, and give ideas on that.
Internet Etiquette
How to avoid embarassing mistakes when first entering internet society. It is a different culture, and there are things that are useful to know and to avoid. I'll address some of these.
Scam Artists
Do not, under any circumstances, give money to anyone online. This is a good rule for safety. There are people who make a good living passing out sob stories to Christians, and any other kind person they can find. The stories are not true, and the money is not used in charitable ways. Many people have lost thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars by believing stories given to them by strangers on the internet. Be cautious, and if someone starts asking for money, realize that their intentions are likely not good.
Ministry Goes Both Ways
One thing I discovered when I got seriously involved in internet ministry is that ministry always went both ways! I found that by ministering, I was ministered to. God fills us with such blessing when we are willing to be used by Him. As we see how He is using us, and see the blessings that come, we are so enriched. Also, when we are discouraged ourselves, often some of the very persons to whom we have ministered in the past will be our encouragers!