Of course ministry is more effective in person ,It's better to hear someone screeam into a microphone ,and slap oil on your head ,and hit you so hard you'll buckle to your knees ,so that you'll begin to call on The Name Of Lord.

:lol

What if you can't GET to that person one on one? What do you do? Nothing? Or do you use what is available? Should we never minister by any other means than a face to face meeting just because that might be the best?

No, but they did write letters. Paul WOULD have loved to come in person but was unable to...so he did the next best thing and wrote letters. So did Luke.

Anyone can be as prolific and even more than Paul or even less. That does not mean that when we are not there in person we should not use other means.

Several points:

Paul said this to the Colossians.

5: For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. Col. 2:5

Though he was not there in flesh he had a strong presence with them.

Some said this about Paul.

10: For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 2 Cor. 10:10

For some Pauls letters held more power than seeing him in person.

Sure its best to be face to face. But awesome ministry can come by way of the Internet also. Like Prax said, use whats available.

Amen.

The written word is a POWERFUL communication tool!
 

Just as the written Word of God - the Logos - communicates LIFE and TRUTH to us so can words written in a post or a PM or an email by an individual who is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost also minister life and truth providing encouragement, edification, direction, hope, comfort and inspiration to the one who is reading.

Likewise ... words can twist, tear, stab, wound and cause pain, sorrow, and embarrassment when written from a bitter well or from other carnal motivation.

Words are powerful!

The written word is a powerful tool and is a means of expressing and revealing what is in the mind, soul, spirit and heart of a person. Because this is true, "online" communication can definitely be regarded as a means of ministry to people. Absolutely!

I agree with you, Felicity. Good post!

interesting thread.... I think that face-2-face communication would be more effective....