As a mentor or host in a chat room, you may be wondering how to evaluate your progress and work with the people you minister to online. No one is grading your ministry, and many times you don’t receive a response to know whether you have impacted someone’s life. The greatest mentor and counselor was and is Jesus Christ and you can look to Him as your role-model. You can allow Him to change your character and skills so that you become more Christ-like as you continue in your online ministry.

What should be your goal in this ministry? To help facilitate people's spiritual growth and development so that it greatly impacts all aspects of their personal and interpersonal life and to move individuals towards dependence on Christ and interdependence on the body of Christ.

Here are some scriptures that provide the basis for online ministry:

• 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.”
• Col 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and  admonish one  another with all wisdom.”
• 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 role model look like?

• Shows compassion by providing empathy, concern and support and when necessary; provides referral for emotional, spiritual, and relational 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, offer resources and 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 through guiding people into a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, encouraging fellowship, and preparing him/her for personal ministry.

Take a moment for some self evaluation and challenge yourself with the following questions as you respond to online questions and problems:

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/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 to become involved in a solid Christian church for fellowship and service?  

The following are great links to share with those you interact with online:

• Sharing the Gospel  http://www.thelife.com/landing/joj_1.html  or http://www.secretsofsuccess.com/simple/article/secret1.html
• Sharing the Holy Spirit http://www.christianwomentoday.com/growth/spiritfilledlife.html  

Your online ministry will become more fruitful as you follow in the foot-steps of Christ. In John 8:31 Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” May God continue to guide you with His all knowing and all powerful wisdom!

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: www.whatsgoodaboutanger.com and www.counselcareconnection.org  

~  Lynette J. Hoy ,  NCC, LCPC, is a Marriage and Family Counselor and National Certified Counselor, author and speaker. She is the Executive Chair of the Chicagoland CBWC: Connecting Business Women to Christ organization. Lynette is co-founder of CounselCare Connection, P.C. providing online & office counseling for individuals, couples and families. Lynette regularly presents marriage, assertiveness, grief and divorce recovery, anger and stress management seminars.  You can read her story online.

©2004 by Lynette J. Hoy, NCC, LCPC
Read Lynette Hoy’s book, What’s Good About Anger? It can be ordered online at:  www.whatsgoodaboutanger.com or Amazon.com.

Visit Mrs. Hoy’s other sites: www.hoyweb.com ; www.counselcareconnection.org ; www.lifecareweb.com.