인터넷 문화와 교회의 선교

The Internet Culture and the Church's

The internet is "an information flea market" in which people can easily access online magazines, world information and discussion groups. Electronic mail is fast becoming an essential tool for communication. However, it does not only deal with information and communication. A new vocabulary is showing up, such as, the world of cyberspace "and electronic community" which indicate the occurrence of a new type of life and perception called, the virtual world. Virtual means "almost as good as real" or even better than real. Virtual reality creates an electronic environment-cyberspace that engages the senses so vividly that it feels real." Many people in the coming age will live in this space. This cyberspace is different from mass communication in that "it allows one the opportunity to speak as though to one person, yet reach millions." Any person then comes to experience the global world in his or her private room. The new bottom-up information infrastructure challenges the top-gown, hierarchical structure of society. The Internet global mesh connects people in the whole area of this earth, transforming enterprises, institutions and traditional professions. In this new world open collaboration and development become essential. However, this convenience produces many negative fruits as well, such as virtual sex and violence. Subsequent to this change, a new concept and field of mission is at hand. For persons immersed in this new world of network, called netiaens, a new approach in mission is needed. The netizen is losing the sharing of humanity while considering information as most important. Individualism is deepened, leading to human alienation. However, human beings naturally search for meaning in their lives, human relationships, and with God. Therefore, the church has a new mission field. Our task is to communicate the gospel through the new method in the changing context. Without creative web-sites, it would not be easy to approach the ned of netizens. Nowadays, a new type of missionary work is being developed. These missionaries do evangelism and disciple-making through the Internet instead of going abroad for mission. New missionary training programs for the world of Internet are needed. Furthermore, in this virtual world Christianity should make efforts to build sound cyber communities and netizen ethics. For this, individual as well as organizational efforts are important for the new electronic environments of cooperation and communication.