I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9:22-23)

Overheard:
Molly: "I LOVE our new church web site! It's better than our church!"
Mike: "Now Honey, I wouldn't go THAT far."

The famous passage from 1 Corinthians (above) gives us a window into the heart of the apostle Paul. Love will use every legitimate means to bring the gospel to people for their salvation. When Paul says, "I have become all things to all people" he's not referring to compromise. Rather, it's a great reminder of how Jesus became man, in the incarnation, for the sake of our salvation. Christians creatively use neutral tools to bring the gospel into the space being occupied by real people.

In the first century, the vast network of Roman roads facilitated the spread of the gospel. So did the language of "common Greek" which was used in the New Testament. In 1454 the Bible was printed on the Gutenberg press, just in time for the Reformation. Tom Skinner, the famous African American evangelist, came to faith by listening to a radio sermon. The film Jesus has reached people around the world, many of whom had never seen a movie. Third Millenium, an Orlando-based ministry begun by Richard Pratt, uses the worldwide web to offer free on-line seminary courses for pastors in the developing world.

In God's providence, we have new opportunities to reach out through digital media. While this tool will never replace relationships as the primary means of outreach, it can be used as a bridge to real people. God has brought Dan Whaite and others along to help us engage the digital horizon for the gospel. Today, let's pray for these efforts.

Thank God for our new web site, launched Aug 23. It's a great internal communication tool, as well as the face of LBC to those searching for a church through the web. Pray that it will become a powerful tool to enhance communication within our LBC family, and to attract people who are searching for a church. You can check out the new site and all it offers at: www.lakebaldwinchurch.com. As you "walk" through the site, remember to pray for the people and ministries of LBC on the site.
Pray for Dan Whaite and Matt Brubaker, who have started Digital Acts, in an effort to help churches attract new visitors through digital media. Pray for them as they assist Lake Baldwin Church (and other churches) to more effectively tell our story and the story of the gospel. You can check out their vision at www.digitalacts.org.
Pray for emerging initiatives to reach out as digital media replaces direct mail as a way of creating awareness and interest.
Pray for John Boggs, who will be producing a welcome video for our web site.
Thank God for Don Dearing, who was in London this summer guiding a mission project using media. Over 5000 packets with Bibles and the Jesus film were given out. Pray for Don, as well as Doug and Denise Anderson, working with creative media around the world.
Pray for Matt Watts, who is assisting people around the world through the use of digital media.
Pray for Bart and Judy Johnson as they work to offer faith-based classical Christian education across China through Veritas Press.
In all things, pray that the love of Christ would compel us as we build common ground relationships, and as we communicate through common ground media. Pray that the Word of God will spread, even as it did through the Roman road, the Gutenberg press, and other means throughout history.