The Internet Church
From a Silicon Valley perspective the Internet is changing history through advanced technology, but from author Walter Wilson's perspective, the Internet is an opportunity to change the history of Christianity. As a devout Christian and CEO of Exclaim Technologies, Inc., an Internet applications provider for the business market, Wilson sees the Internet as a "God-given" opportunity for churches around the world. Wilson compares the current "information highway" to the network of military roads that the Romans built almost two millennia ago. Ultimately, Christian missionaries traveled that same network of roads to bring the Gospel to the world. "Here we are 2,000 years later--the business language of the world is English and the online network, originally built by the U.S. is in place," he writes. "Is it a coincidence that this first century theme would present itself?"At first Wilson makes a strong case for why churches must utilize the Internet. From there he offers concrete advice for how churches can take advantage of this vastly expansive missionary opportunity. For example, if a church has its own Web site it can welcome new members, list activities, suggest study tools, and link to other meaningful sites. Part manifesto, part manual,Internet Churchis bound to inspire Christians to jump on the information bandwagon.