You may be wondering how to evaluate your progress with the people you minister to online. No one is out there grading your ministry, there’s no report card or meeting to discuss your progress. Often you don’t receive feedback on whether you have had an impact in someone’s life, so how do you know if you’re succeeding?  Here are some suggestions and questions to help you review your efforts in your online ministry role.

The greatest mentor and counselor was and is Jesus Christ and you can look to Him as your role-model. Allow Him to change your character and skills so that you become a Christ-like minister to those whose lives you touch.   Make sure that you are spending time with Him every day.  Our ability to minister comes out of our own relationship with Christ.  The more you grow spiritually, the closer you get to Christ, the better you will be able to minister to others.

What should be your goal in online ministry? The goal is to help facilitate people's spiritual growth and development.  We want to see this growth greatly impact all aspects of their personal and interpersonal life.  Our aim is to move individuals towards dependence on Christ and interdependence on the body of Christ.  Remember that success in witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.

Here are some scriptures that build a foundation for your online ministry.  Why not print these out and keep one or two by your computer? Have them handy so that you can be encouraged while you are ministering.

• Eph 4:11,14    “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure   of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants.”
• Rom. 12:15   “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
•  Col3:16   “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and   admonish one   another with all wisdom."
• I Thess. 5: 14    “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage  the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
• Heb 3:13   “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so   that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.”
• Gal 6:2   “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

What does a Christ-like mentor look like?

• Showscompassion ...by providing empathy, concern and support. When necessary provides referral for emotional, spiritual, physical, relational and financial needs.
• Impacts people for Jesus Christ...by leading people to salvation and/or assurance of their salvation.
• Intervenes skillfully  ..To assist people to identify their problems, evaluate options, resources, and ideas.  Helps them develop a plan of action to solve their problems within a biblical framework.
• Trains people in biblical skills for living  ...by confronting sinful behavior, helping people repent and walk in obedience to God's Word in fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
• Restores people to lives of effective worship & service ....by guiding people into a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, encouraging fellowship, and preparing him or her for personal ministry.

When you are responding to people challenge yourself with the following questions:

1. Am I demonstrating concern to the people I dialogue with?

2. Am I expressing the gospel effectively with those who are not saved or may be seeking?

3. Am I sharing options and resources which will help meet this person’s most critical concerns?

4. Am I speaking the truth in love when someone writes that he or she is living a sinful life regarding issues of: abortion, sexual immorality, homosexuality, substance abuse, lying, cheating, gambling, gossiping, etc.?

5. Am I motivating Christians and non-Christians to surrender their lives fully to Christ and get involved in a solid Christian church for fellowship and service?

Your online ministry will be blessed as you follow in the foot-steps of Christ challenging people with biblical truth:

John 8:31 Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”
John 10:7 Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.”
John 21:16 Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 

~ Lynette J. Hoy, NCC, LCPC is a marriage and family counselor and the Director of LifeCARE Ministries at Calvary Memorial Church. She is the co-author of What’s Good About Anger? Read more about her work and ministry at: What's good about Anger and Counsel Care Connection