The disappointing aspect of internet ministry can be that your contacts are often far removed from the local church, so that the online work doesn't always directly bring members to you. This can be helped by choosing chatrooms, etc, that are more localized.
But even with world-wide internet ministry, this kind of work by the members of your church have other wonderful effects! Members who don't have the courage to do outreach and evangelism on a local scale may have the courage to do so online (something about the internet brings even the most shy people out of their shell). The skills and confidence that they gain through this form of ministry become valuable in local outreach as well.
When I began internet ministry, I wasn't doing any local outreach. I didn't have a position in the church, and while I worked at an Adventist academy, I was not active in ministry outside of my work. But as my internet ministry became more active, I began to see lives changed.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit on my heart I began doing more locally. I started teaching a Sabbath School class, and willingly accepted other positions in the church, as well. I began handing out books in the community, as well as fliers for seminars the church was presenting. I also attended a lay training seminar, and got more involved with up-front work in my church, like sermons, children's story, and music.
During this time I began talking to people in person, as well. I never would have had the courage to bring up spiritual matters with people, before. But it began to just spill out, like any other subject, and I was no longer so inhibited. Because Jesus had become such a huge part of my life, and ministry was so exciting to me, it spread out into all areas of my life, so that now, five years later, it's like breathing!
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