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MEDIA BYTES

By Rev. Marty Levesque

Over the years I have written many columns on technology and ministry, best practices, and how to lever social media and technology for the building of the kingdom of God and evangelism.

Recently though, Rev Dan Bowyer, Associate of All Saints Waterloo for Pastoral Care and Outreach Ministries asked ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence computer program, “What is a good evangelism strategy for Anglican Christians in Canada.” What follows is the AI’s response:

1) Building relationships: Establishing genuine relationships with non-Christians is often a crucial first step in evangelism. This can be done through volunteering in the community, participating in neighbourhood events, or simply getting to know people through everyday interactions.

2) Meeting people where they are: It’s important to understand the cultural and spiritual context of the people you are trying to reach, and to speak to them in a way that is relevant and meaningful to them.

3) Being a good listener: Being a good listener is one of the best ways to build trust and credibility with people. It helps people feel heard, valued, and respected.

4) Using social media: Social media is a powerful tool for sharing the Gospel with a wide audience. Anglican churches can use social media to share sermons, Bible studies, and other resources that help people grow in faith.

5) Living a consistent Christian life: Evangelism is not just about words, but about actions too. People will be more likely to be interested in the message of Christianity if they see it lived out in the lives of those who follow it.

6) Partnering with other organizations: Partnering with other organizations, such as local charities or service groups, can help to build relationships and bridge gaps with people who might be difficult to reach otherwise.

It’s important to remember that effective evangelism is a process, and that it may take time to see results.

The most important thing is to be faithful and consistent in your efforts, and to trust that God is at work in the hearts of those you are trying to reach.

I am not sure I could have said any better than the AI. You can learn more about ChatGPT here: https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/

Rev. Marty Levesque is the diocesan social media officer and rector of All Saints’ in Waterloo. martylevesque@diohuron.org