This document discusses using the internet for mission and ecumenism in India. It explores how the internet can reach many people internationally and build community through various forms of communication. Some key points discussed are that seekers use the internet to privately research religions, 400 million people search for religious information online, and the internet allows low-cost communication without needing to travel. The document also examines various church websites in India and potential uses of the internet for mission work, such as creating websites, online groups, broadcasting services, and sharing resources. It emphasizes communicating the gospel, values, liberation, community-building and development through digital media.

1. Internet, Mission and Ecumenism
Exploring the possibilities in India
By Rev Dr Joshva Raja
United Theological college,
Banaglore

2. Mission and Ecumenism
Plurality of Mission
Prophetic
Liberative
Nourishes
Culture
Building
Communities Witness
Development-
oriented
Participatory

3. Media, Mission and Ecumenism
Instrumental Perspective
God
church
Pocketpc.ico
Media
People

4. Effect Centered Perspective
Media
Effect
Church

5. Types of
Communication
Inter-personal Communication
Intra-personal
Communicatio
n
Extra-personal
Communication
Group
Communicatio
n
Mass
Communication
Folk
Communicatio
n
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)

6. 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.

7. The Internet AdvantageThe Internet Advantage
The Internet reaches:The Internet reaches:
• Many people – about 1 billion!Many people – about 1 billion!
• In many nations – simultaneouslyIn many nations – simultaneously
– International in Character– International in Character
• And can build community andAnd can build community and
nourish a culture ofnourish a culture of
communicationcommunication
• Reach a mass audience – VirtualReach a mass audience – Virtual
International audienceInternational audience
• Or communicate just one-to-oneOr communicate just one-to-one
securely – Interpersonal, groupsecurely – Interpersonal, group
and mass communication alsoand mass communication also
possiblepossible
• Using text, graphics, ebooks,Using text, graphics, ebooks,
audio, video, email, conferencing,audio, video, email, conferencing,
VOIP, forums, web pages,VOIP, forums, web pages,
blogs….blogs….
In a wide variety ofIn a wide variety of
languages -Convergentlanguages -Convergent
And can be regionally orAnd can be regionally or
culturally targeted.culturally targeted.

8. Seekers Use The InternetSeekers Use The Internet
• People use the Internet to do privatePeople use the Internet to do private
searching for information.searching for information.
• Whether it be conspiracy theories or healthWhether it be conspiracy theories or health
information people go online to find whatinformation people go online to find what
they are afraid to ask out aloud publicly.they are afraid to ask out aloud publicly.
• People considering adopting the ChristianPeople considering adopting the Christian
faith also use the Internet to find outfaith also use the Internet to find out
information and to talk with Christians.information and to talk with Christians.
• ““Religion seekers” are a major InternetReligion seekers” are a major Internet
phenomenon with 40% of Internet usersphenomenon with 40% of Internet users
regularly searching for religious informationregularly searching for religious information
online.online.
• That is 400 million people seeking religiousThat is 400 million people seeking religious
information. These are the people you wantinformation. These are the people you want
to contact!to contact!

9. 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 areWorks even when you are
asleepasleep
 Very cost effectiveVery cost effective
 Ideal for retired missionariesIdeal for retired missionaries

10. 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
4 Million Net Users in India
15 Million temp Users
Users are Churches,
Missionary organizations,
Institutions, Individuals in

11. Possible Uses for missionPossible Uses for mission
Constructing Christian Websites – Interactive-Dialogic –Constructing Christian Websites – Interactive-Dialogic –
Online counseling – Online prayers – informationOnline counseling – Online prayers – information
servicesservices
Creating e-groups or Online communities – sharing –Creating e-groups or Online communities – sharing –
participating – discussing – particular interests – bibleparticipating – discussing – particular interests – bible
study groupsstudy groups
Virtual church – online clips audio and video- recordingVirtual church – online clips audio and video- recording
the worship services and sermons – online radio and tvthe worship services and sermons – online radio and tv
Engaging with others – collecting and placing togetherEngaging with others – collecting and placing together
the useful websites and other information materialthe useful websites and other information material
Developmental orientation – information resourcesDevelopmental orientation – information resources
Dialogical collectionDialogical collection

12. Theology of Communication
Theology - Theos - Logos
Word - Code - Sign - Communication
In the beginning was Communication
God is God of Communication and
Dialogue - Let us create - Trinity
Incarnational Model - Reconciliation Model
Development Model - Cultural Model

13. 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?

14. The Church of South India’s website -
http://www.cnisynod.org/
National Council of Churches in India -
http://www.nccindia.org/memberchurches.htm
Orthodox Churches - http://www.otsindia.org
The United Evangelical Lutheran Church -
http://www.uelci.org/
Marthoma Church
http://www.marthomachurch.com/Heritage-
Mission/15thcentury-story.htm
The Assemblies of God church -
http://business.vsnl.com/zion/
Indian Pentecostal church -
http://www.angelfire.com/al3/ipcpallipad/ipc.html
Church
Net

16. UTC’s comp lab
High Speed
Interactivity
Convergence
Hypertext
Searching
self
God &
Other

17. Powerpoint presentation
Excel programme for the accounts
and other information about the
members
Word and pictures
Webcasting, podcasting
Yahoogroups, sms-net, chat mails,
blogging
Hypertext, website, dtp, cds, audio-
video mixing

18. Net and Mission – Possibilities in
India and elsewhere
Butterfly Model
Sharing
Interacting
ServingTraining
Ecunet
Networking
Banking
Preserving
E-mission
Development
Alternative

19. Spiritual Growth
Support for the Ministry of the church
sermon collections, sermon clips
Family counseling and issues such as
drug addictions and porns
Society – issues in general – religious
problems and caste issues and so on
Fun and Entertainment
Community support, participation

20. 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 -
Culture
Oral- Written - Print - Aural -Visual -
Digital - Culture

21. Virtual church online
Virtual community online
Virtual mission and ministry
Virtual counseling and Bible study
Virtual Health centre
Virtual Bible games
Virtual gospel preaching or
sermons

23. Indonesia – Test Case WACC

24. Bangladesh – Second Test Case

25. Bangladesh
-Contd

26. Doing mission in the
Schools through discussion
groups

27. 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

28. 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 Nepal
Programs in Nepal, Bangladesh, Indoensia and in India –IR Communicating
Networks between NGOs and Different Religions

29. Examples of Alternative Methods
Street Theatre Programmes
for HIV/AIDs Awareness
Puppet shows for intercultural
dialogue
HIV/AIDs Posters

30. 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)

31. •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