On ICT Facilities and its Challenges to Christian in the 21st Century
ICT FACILITIES AND ITS CHALLENGES TO CHRISTIAN IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Introduction:
Information technology
has been a worldwide means of disseminating information in this 21st
century. It has become a tool in Christian ministry to reach out to the globe
in terms of gospel. Various devices and applications (Apps) are used for the
betterment, easy access and smooth interaction with the society.
This paper discusses the various ICT facilities and
their challenges to Christian in this (21st) century.
What is an ICT?
The acronym ICT means Information and Communication
Technology.
Technology is the process of using electronic or scientific
devices and human resources to meet the needs of humans.
Information is processed
data that are useful for human life.
Information Technology is the use of information to meet the needs of
human and purposes through scientific devices.
The meaning of ICT is the use of Technological devices to communicate
information to meet human needs.
ICT in Christian ministry is the spreading of the gospel, communicating
the gospel to the whole world through the means of technological devices and
modern applications.
Some of ICT
facilities:
Some of the devices
of ICT that are useful in Christian ministry are Laptops, I-pad, I-phones,
Android phones, Windows Phones, PDA, Tablets, MP4, Projector (including wireless
type), video mixers, audio mixer, WiFi, Video-camera and lots of others.
Some Apps that
are useful for communicating information in Christian Ministry: these are
social networks – Instagram, Facebook, websites (including video streaming),
twitter, google+ and others. Also, we have social groups which are useful in
Christian ministry, they are: WhatsApp, Telegram, Mi-chat, FB group, Duo and
lots more.
ICT in Christian Ministry:
Few of these media will be selected
for explanation.
Website: It is an online domain where collections of relevant information are stored and shared
worldwide. It contains video streaming where the message can be shared live and
direct; the audio message can be stored, bible verses can be set to pop-up daily
and various useful spiritual information can be shared.
Facebook: Facebook is a social network service
website launched on February 4, 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg. The following is a
list of software and technology features that can be found on the Facebook
website and mobile apps are available to the users of the social media site.
News Feed:
Friends,
Wall,
Timeline,
Likes and Reactions,
Comments,
Messages and inbox, Notifications, Groups. Applications: Events, Marketplace, Notes, Places, Platform, Facebook Questions, Photos, Videos, Live streaming, Controversial use, Facebook Paper, Facebook Mentions, Facebook Moments, Facebook Gaming.
General features: Facebook dynamic text/type, Credits, Feature phones, Graph Search, IPv6, Listen with Friends, Mood faces, Phone, Poke and Greetings, Smartphone integration, Fundraising, Status updates, Subscribe, Ticker, URL shortener, Verified accounts, Hash-tagging support, Impressum, Tor hidden service, Say Thanks", Call-to-Action button, Snooze, "Did You Know?" social
questionnaires, Sound Collection music archive, Off-Facebook Activity
and Security.
Some of these features are
used by Christians to convey messages in order to reach the ‘unreached”
(unbelievers). Also,, they help to disciple people, fellowship together even when
they are not known. Photo apps, Videos apps and many more as listed above are
useful tools to convey information to people throughout the globe. Facebook
allows one to have access to those who are not added as a friend by paying token to
Facebook online through using ‘boost’.
WhatsApp: This App is a Social group in which information
is limited to a specific group in it. It is also a useful tool in Christian
ministry to share resources, communicate information and interact without
limit. It has many features like – document sharing, Contact sharing, videos,
music, audio, and video calls, group calls, group chats and lots more. It is
used over the internet.
These mediums and
more are used to create new communities, maintain fellowship with existing group
and share the gospel worldwide.
Projector: Another ICT gadget that is
useful in ministry is a projector which is a powerful tool to project
audio-visual for the crusade, revivals and especially in rural communities. It
attracts the majority of rural environs to listen and watch.
Challenges to Christian in 21st Century:
As good as the ICT facilities may be,
it has its own challenges which in a way limits its uses and bring negative
effect on some occasions. Some of these challenges are explained below.
1. Lack
of fund: These medium listed above, need serious funding. The use of data
subscription whether monthly or annually, the ministry must be stable to sustain
this. Also, the cost of maintaining a website – a secured website with large
bandwidth and database to accommodate the intending data is high. Cost of
backend users and frontend users as staff, for daily posting and constant
posting of information of the church or ministry, is another thing. Even if a
church member is dedicated to it, he or she must be motivated.
2. Time
Consuming: It is a serious challenge, as a pastor, to prepare messages for weekly
and Sunday programs, activities in the church, mission work, visitation, and
others, there may not be much time to prepare information to give the
administrative panel (admins) to post online regularly. Also, there may not be
much time to attend to physical engagements or physical engagement may hinder
the online ministry.
3. Cybercrime:
The challenges of invaders who hack into the information online in this time of
growing cyber threat is an issue. They tamper with the original information,
post nude and pornographic videos into Christian sites especially those sites
that are not well secured due to lack of funds or poor internet knowledge. They
also hack the contact information and use it negatively against the site owner.
This is a serious threat that if urgent action is not taken, it may damage the
relationship one has built over time among the online disciples.
4. Negative
effect on the part of the family – Family may suffer a lot because much
attention is dedicated to online exercise in winning souls.
5. Few
are benefitted: In case of sending a message on WhatsApp, and sharing video
information online, only church members and disciples who are online users and
those who have useful devices will be benefited.
6. Exposure
to Pornography and wrong information: it
creates communication barriers on the part of online fellow shippers and
disciples. Also on the part of the pastors who minister.
7. Internet
failure: It is common in our country that the internet connectivity is not reliable.
This may pose a problem to a program/teaching schedule for a specific time online
while disciples are waiting to connect.
8. Few
Laborer: Even pastors who are called by God, how many are computer literate?
How many of them are ready to take up this responsibility? How many are ready
to do online ministry and follow up action in this time that men of God are
hunting shadow (looking for greener pastures)? It is better not to start what
one cannot complete or follow up. This is another serious challenge.
9. Lack
of Innovation: Some pastors are not innovative. They do not know how to
improvise. To be innovative means to capture different age group with what they
like or wants and use it to engrave ‘word of life’ into their heart.
Conclusion: It is possible
to implement all this and reduce challenges therein. If the world system could
use ICT facilities to pull the crowd to hell; with passion and unity, it is
possible to witness using these ICT gadgets with fewer challenges. Even if there
is, the bible says we shall see tribulations but be of good cheers, He has
overcome the world. Ministers of the gospel should take the bull by the horn in
the warfront of ministry.
REFERENCES
Internet sources:
3.
www.christianitytoday.com
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