Kevin Bussey, pastor and blogger wrote yesterday on his blog Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee:

But Jesus was different than other religious leaders of His day. He met people on their turf. He met people where they were. That is why I go to places like Starbucks and Gold’s Gym and such–so I can rub shoulders with lost people. If we get stuck in our “safe” Christian environments we don’t interact with people who need our touch! Jesus “had” to go to Samaria–Where is it he wants you to “have” to go to reach people for Him?

In my opinion, this is one of the major ways new technologies like blogs can be used effectively for ministry. Online communities are everywhere and it takes a participation and interaction in those communities online to have a ministry. Or at least that’s one way. Leaving comments on blogs and discussion boards, participating and adding value to the community — this is the stuff of ministry. If people are online in communities, should we not go?