Context of Time ConceptPast, Present, Future and Eternity

Here is your easy way for organizing your blog and/or website

Why This Method?

• New people will encounter your ministry online in the future– weeks– months– years

• Put yourself in their shoes– Help them quickly get up to

speed– Use time as the core

organizing concept

• Make it easy for them to understand – Where you came from– Where you are at now– Where you are headed– How this relates to eternity

• Timeline can be your friend – keeping your online

ministry organized– enrolling prayer support

Context of Time

• Past– What happened

before the current conditions?

• Present– What are the simple

summaries of the current conditions?

• Future– What are the short,

medium and long term possibilities?

• Eternity Does your life and ministry have eternal consequences?

Past

• Background– Your birth

• where • when

– Major life events• awards• graduation• marriage• parenting • ministry experiences

• Testimonies– Salvation– Calling to Ministry– Answered Prayers

• Simple summaries – What brought you to your

current conditions?– How can the data in your

resume be stated in a friendly way?

– How has God been directing your path?

– What do you tell a new friend about your history?

– What is a thumbnail sketch of your spiritual pilgrimage to today?

Present

• Current conditions EXTERNAL – family– residence– employment– education– recreation – ministry – other

• Current conditions INTERNAL – passions– priorities– values – needs– wants– challenges– other

Future

• Hopes• Dreams• Visions• Goals• Objectives• Next Steps

• What do you perceive about the future?

• What is your vision for ministry?

• What are the anticipated transitions that you will face soon?

• If you had “plenty of money” would you serve God differently?

Eternity

• How is Jesus Christ transforming you– to glorify God– to serve people – to increase the Kingdom of God

• Your spiritual growth progress• Prayer & intercession interests• Evangelism directions• Discipleship activities• Church planting & church growth efforts

Why use this view

• Starting– Organizes your thinking– Helps them track with you– Structures Layout/Design

• blog

• website

• ezine

– Suggests Content • headlines

• text summaries

• photos

• Continuing – Take photos habitually – View the past since your

last update– Tell the truth

• current situation

• your emotions

• faith is stretched

• looking to Jesus

• solicit their prayers

– Testify of how God has answered your prayers

Places to Apply this Context of Time

• Blog entries

• Ezine (email newsletter)– weekly– monthly– quarterly

• Podcast

• Vodcast (video podcast)

• Print newsletter (mailed)

Adapt as Needed

• These are general guidelines• They are aids to assist in thought process• This is not a batch of rules• Use this to get your thoughts started• Adapt these as needed for you• Use, revise and refine as you need• Put your personality on display• Use it for a vivid reflection of the real you

Review

• Past– Background– Testimonies

• Salvation• Calling• Answered prayers

• Present– Passions– Priorities– Values – Needs– Wants– Challenges

• Future– Hopes– Dreams– Visions– Goals– Objectives– Next Steps

• Eternity – Spiritual growth– Evangelism– Discipleship– Church planting/growth

Your Next Step

• Revise and fine-tune with– general guidelines– practical applications– valuable links

• Learn more – Learning Online Ministry– www.LearningOnlineMinistry.org