Transforming missions : mission strategy and cyber space. Research on the use of cyber space in transforming the mission of the South Korean church in 21st century

Abstract

The present generation lives in the new information age as a result of rapid computer developments and the accessibility of the internet. Therefore, in the 21st century the world has to come to grips with the cyber space culture. Internet connections in South Korea, as in many countries in the world, make access to the world available in every house. Therefore, it is a necessity to understand the internet culture and internet is becoming part of everyday life. However, at the beginning of the 21st century, the most important attribute of the mission is missio Dei: the mission is God’s mission. God is a missionary God and mission has its origin in God. And finally, God also calls people as missionaries to share his love with the world. According to Bosch (1991:368-372), our daily life has become so fast and constantly changing that we cannot use past methods to be effective today. Therefore we need a paradigm shift in our thinking towards missions today, to become more relevant. There is a need for the church to understand this paradigm shift, and implement it into its thinking and practice of mission. Cyber mission is becoming important in the information age, and there are many advantages and disadvantages to it. These advantages are to be managed carefully. It is the church's responsibility to use cyber space to the advantage of God's Kingdom. The opening up of cyber space may prove to be a gift from God to his church today. Many Christians began to share their faith with others in cyber space through the internet and internet evangelism and cyber missions were born. Today, the internet has become one of the available means of sharing and proclaiming the Gospel. It offers us incredible power to share the Good News. The Christian has the great responsibility to the great commission to deliver the gospel to the end of the earth through the cyber Mission. The South Korean church became a strong Christian church, ranking as the second missionary sending country in the world of today. The South Korean church developed the cyber mission, as they realized the power of the internet. Most of the churches have their own web site and they have already started to use the cyber space for church ministry.