Internet, Mission and Ecumenism

Exploring the possibilities in IndiaBy Rev Dr Joshva Raja

United Theological college, Banaglore

Mission and Ecumenism

Plurality of Mission

PropheticLiberative

Nourishes

Culture

Building Communities Witness

Development-oriented

Participatory

Media, Mission and Ecumenism

Instrumental Perspective

Godchurch

Pocketpc.ico

Media People

Effect Centered Perspective

Media

Effect

Church

Types of Communication

Inter-personal Communication

Intra-personalCommunication

Extra-personalCommunication

Group Communication

Mass Communication Folk

Communication

Technological Communication

Community Communication

(Indian theories)

(Gesture, dialogue)

(Interactivity, virtual body of Christ)

(Mediated, public sphere, opinion shaping)

(leadership, youth, fellowship)

(Eco-concerns)

(Grassroots, developmental)

(traditional, alternative)

Jesus’ Mission and Communication

Jesus’ Mission and Communication

He went to the place where they are. He accepted them as they are. He started his communication by listening to his audience.He held dialogue with his opponents. He engaged in the listeners’ communication process. He participated in the public communication using the familiar Parabolic and story formats.

The Internet AdvantageThe Internet AdvantageThe Internet reaches:The Internet reaches:• Many people – about 1 Many people – about 1

billion!billion!• In many nations – In many nations –

simultaneously – simultaneously – International in CharacterInternational in Character

• And can build community And can build community and nourish a culture of and nourish a culture of communicationcommunication

• Reach a mass audience – Reach a mass audience – Virtual International Virtual International audienceaudience

• Or communicate just one-to-Or communicate just one-to-one securely – Interpersonal, one securely – Interpersonal, group and mass group and mass communication also possiblecommunication also possible

• Using text, graphics, ebooks, Using text, graphics, ebooks, audio, video, email, audio, video, email, conferencing, VOIP, forums, conferencing, VOIP, forums, web pages, blogs….web pages, blogs….

In a wide variety of In a wide variety of languages -Convergentlanguages -ConvergentAnd can be regionally or And can be regionally or culturally targeted.culturally targeted.

Seekers Use The InternetSeekers Use The Internet

• People use the Internet to do private People use the Internet to do private searching for information.searching for information.

• Whether it be conspiracy theories or Whether it be conspiracy theories or health information people go online to health information people go online to find what they are afraid to ask out find what they are afraid to ask out aloud publicly.aloud publicly.

• People considering adopting the People considering adopting the Christian faith also use the Internet to Christian faith also use the Internet to find out information and to talk with find out information and to talk with Christians.Christians.

• ““Religion seekers” are a major Religion seekers” are a major Internet phenomenon with 40% of Internet phenomenon with 40% of Internet users regularly searching for Internet users regularly searching for religious information online.religious information online.

• That is 400 million people seeking That is 400 million people seeking religious information. These are the religious information. These are the people you want to contact!people you want to contact!

More Advantages…More Advantages…

No airfares neededNo airfares needed No visas requiredNo visas required Less health problemsLess health problems Greater personal safetyGreater personal safety Enters “closed” countriesEnters “closed” countries Reaches community leadersReaches community leaders Works even when you are Works even when you are

asleepasleep Very cost effectiveVery cost effective Ideal for retired missionariesIdeal for retired missionaries

India – Internet Scenario

We are in serious danger of becoming a nation where cable and optics fibre will reach most urban homes long before potable water and drainage, and where children in remote areas will have easier access to movies than to schooling. – The Hindu NP

4 Million Net Users in India

15 Million temp Users

Users are Churches, Missionary organizations, Institutions, Individuals in mission

Possible Uses for missionPossible Uses for mission

Constructing Christian Websites – Interactive-Dialogic – Constructing Christian Websites – Interactive-Dialogic – Online counseling – Online prayers – information Online counseling – Online prayers – information servicesservicesCreating e-groups or Online communities – sharing – Creating e-groups or Online communities – sharing – participating – discussing – particular interests – bible participating – discussing – particular interests – bible study groups study groups Virtual church – online clips audio and video- recording Virtual church – online clips audio and video- recording the worship services and sermons – online radio and tvthe worship services and sermons – online radio and tvEngaging with others – collecting and placing together Engaging with others – collecting and placing together the useful websites and other information material the useful websites and other information material Developmental orientation – information resources Developmental orientation – information resources Dialogical collectionDialogical collection

Theology of Communication

Theology - Theos - LogosWord - Code - Sign - Communication In the beginning was CommunicationGod is God of Communication and

Dialogue - Let us create - Trinity Incarnational Model - Reconciliation Model

Development Model - Cultural Model

To Communicate What? To Communicate What? Gospel?Gospel?

• Communicate Christian Faith? Doctrines?• Communicate Values? Gospel Values?• Communicating towards Liberation? Or

Humanization?• Communicating for building Communities?• Communicating Culture? Awareness?• Communicating Prophetically?/Critically?• Communicating towards development?

The Church of South India’s website - http://www.cnisynod.org/National Council of Churches in India - http://www.nccindia.org/memberchurches.htmOrthodox Churches - http://www.otsindia.orgThe United Evangelical Lutheran Church - http://www.uelci.org/Marthoma Church http://www.marthomachurch.com/Heritage-Mission/15thcentury-story.htmThe Assemblies of God church - http://business.vsnl.com/zion/Indian Pentecostal church - http://www.angelfire.com/al3/ipcpallipad/ipc.htmlIndependent Baptist Churches’ directory - http://www.baptistinfo.com/States/INDIA/INDIA.HTM

Church Net

UTC’s comp lab

High Speed

Interactivity

Convergence Hypertext

Searching self

God & Other

Powerpoint presentationExcel programme for the accounts and other information about the membersWord and pictures Webcasting, podcastingYahoogroups, sms-net, chat mails, bloggingHypertext, website, dtp, cds, audio-video mixing

Net and Mission – Possibilities in India and elsewhere

Butterfly Model

Sharing

Interacting

Serving Training

EcunetNetworking

Banking

Preserving

E-m

issi

on

DevelopmentAlternative

Spiritual GrowthSupport for the Ministry of the church sermon collections, sermon clipsFamily counseling and issues such as drug addictions and pornsSociety – issues in general – religious problems and caste issues and so onFun and EntertainmentCommunity support, participation

Mission in an ICE Age

Information Communication Entertainment age - use - values - engage

Media and Society - influence of the media on society, Society’s influence on the media, interdependent or autonomous

Television, Radio, IT, News Paper - CultureOral- Written - Print - Aural -Visual - Digital -

Culture

Virtual church onlineVirtual community onlineVirtual mission and ministryVirtual counseling and Bible studyVirtual Health centre Virtual Bible gamesVirtual gospel preaching or sermons

Indonesia – Test Case WACC

Bangladesh – Second Test Case

Bangladesh -Contd

Doing mission in the Schools through discussion groups

Alternative media characteristics

Dialogic, democratic, communitarian, local, participation

Voice of voiceless, minorities and others

Cheap, easy access, non-profit, simple, non-professional

Towards Social change, human dignity and development

Intercultural in nature, culturally rooted, folk culture, updated interactive technology

Alternative perspectives and practices

Space for disabled, HIV/AIDs infected, refugees, Eunuchs, and less privileged people

Promote a culture of peace and harmony

Dialogue through the Art and Net!

Rev Solomon Raj’s Art

Jyothi Sahi’s art

Church build like a Mosque and Temple in Dornakal

Dialogue in NepalPrograms in Nepal, Bangladesh, Indoensia and in India –IR Communicating Networks between NGOs and Different Religions

Examples of Alternative Methods Street Theatre Programmes for HIV/AIDs Awareness

Puppet shows for intercultural dialogue

HIV/AIDs Posters

Jesus accepted his listeners ‘as they were’ (Jeeva)Jesus often listens to his audiences and even to his opponents (Jnana)Jesus Engaged in others’ search for meanings of Eternal Life… (Bhakti)Jesus touch the lepers, healed the sick and fed the hungry crowd (Karma)

•1/3 of Indian population below poverty line•UN explanation on – poverty line•Millions of Indian families live on pavements•Child Labour – ¼ of Indian labour force of small scale industries are children•Public Distribution System – Kerosene, oil, sugar & rice•Middle men exploitation