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Rethinking Evangelism
by Commissioner Joe
Noland
Re-inventing Evangelism - A Cyberspace Street
Corner
I
was recently asked the question, “What do you think the
difference is between SAVN.tv (Salvation Army Vision Network)
and other Salvation Army online ministries? Here is my
expanded response to that question.
A lot of thought, discussion and feedback
has gone into determining the mission, purpose and direction
of SAVN.tv. From one leaning, the pressure came to make it
traditional, internal and culturally relevant for the “select”
few - playing to the troops.
Many, however, favored an external,
evangelical approach, insisting that the nomenclature and look
be open, appealing and nonthreatening, especially to both the
seeking believer and nonbeliever. A kind of 21st Century,
contemporary Cyberspace street corner presentation designed to
“Get their attention,” as William Booth so aptly framed it. He
invented the army’s unique way of evangelizing; SAVN is
reinventing it.
Whilst this was in our thinking from the
beginning, we were also cautioned from many sides to use
terminology and visuals that would appeal and attract, not
repel. Whilst the terms “corps,” “citadel” and “fire-a-volley”
are comfortable and understood by the initiated, they are
foreign and uncomfortable to the outsider, those whom we are
attempting to engage.
Further, it was determined that one of our
important audiences would be Generation Y, also known as the
Millennial Generation - the future. This emerging generation
is cause (mission) oriented, according to a recent Pew
Research Study. If a church does not involve them in a cause,
they will go elsewhere (And they are going elsewhere!). The
genius of the Army is that, historically, it has been social
action (cause) oriented, that’s what sets us apart.
Thus, social action causes become the
first-look “hook” that attracts and engages. Once hooked, the
viewer digs deeper (follows them into the Army meeting) where
the Gospel message is presented visually, creatively and
interactively.
Godshot:
http://www.savn.tv/campaign/view/609
Response:
http://www.savn.tv/campaign/view/610
SAVN.tv is meant to be, in part, the aegis (umbrella) site and
Cyberspace channel for a multiplicity of social media
congregations (Corps), or our preferred terminology, “Mission
Stations.” The strategy is two-fold:
Content and Delivery (Distribution).
“CONTENT IS KING”
SAVN is committed to the creation of
professional, attractive content, appealing to the audiences
we are attempting to reach - CAUSE oriented. Whilst there are
exceptions, for the most part, as research suggests, content
will be served up in short 1-5 minute “story” segments,
designed for a fast-paced, tech savvy generation with “a sense
of immediacy as they are on a faster journey and their
expectations of services or relationships are higher,”
according to Anni Macbeth, trend forecaster.
“DISTRIBUTION IS QUEEN”
SAVN is committed to a personalized,
interactive content delivery system - a continuing “work in
progress,” video driven website, always changing
experientially as new ideas and innovations surface. It is
collaborative, partnering with Odyssey, Back to the Bible, the
Billy Graham Association, the Jesus Film, YouVersion, Mary
Rice-Hopkins, “Not Today” movie, “Mac Lucado’s Christmas
Candle,” and more. Cyberspace street corners GALORE!
Social Media Soldiers are being recruited
and trained, partnering with www.groundwire.net, a
collaborative coaching, live chat ministry customized for
SAVN. In development is an interactive, small group channel
(Bible Study, Recovery, etc.) where those so motivated can
start their own social media groups (Mission Stations),
thereby distributing the Gospel exponentially far and wide. To
become a SMSoldier, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/search/620178944676031/members
Our goal: Create quality content and design
delivery systems, easily accessible and available to all.
Become the resource and aegis (umbrella) site for a host of
online customized causes, corps, congregations, recovery
groups, mission stations ad infinitum. THEREIN LIES THE
DIFFERENCE.
If you have read this far, you are
obviously not of the Millennial Generation. They would have
read the first couple of paragraphs and moved on. That’s OK,
they already know the gist of what has been clarified here.
This was written for you, representative of another
generation, and just as vital to the SAVN mission. Join with
us as we change the world one Cyberspace street corner at a
time.
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