How can we use the internet for evangelism? Putting up a Church website is certainly a start, but how do you make the web site an effective witness? You can and should add social networking, where people can both witness and minister to others. Sharing a witness in a very public arena like the internet can be a little daunting. You will want to make sure that you do the following:

• Focus on Jesus Christ, not personal glory
• Limit personally identifiable information, such as addresses and phone numbers
• Identify scripture passages used and which translation – e.g. NIV

By bearing witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, you extend the power of evangelism to the web. That doesn’t mean we have to pursue God.tv, but it does mean we use the communication channels available to spread the Gospel.

How does your Church process contributions? A bunch of men may do it in a back room. Or a staff person may be charged with the task on Monday morning. Either way, the process needs to be accurate and financially accountable. But how efficient is it?

One approach would be to automate the processing cycle. Checks could be entered into a system that knows your congregation, recognizing the frequent givers. Records could then be automatically posted to their accounts. Thank yous would be generated for new givers. And the deposit slip would be printed up, ready to take to the bank. This can be done, and it is more efficient. But you always need checks and balances when it comes to handling money. Good stewardship needs to be recognized and supported with financial integrity and certainty. If someone adds a memo line to a check for the youth summer event, then that money needs to go to the youth department for supporting that event. There is always a chance of making mistakes, but you need to find ways to catch those mistakes before the processing is done. What is your experience?