Spreading the Gospel Globally - Six Degrees of Separation
You may have heard of the "Six Degrees of Separation" whereby it is theorized that any two people in the world may be connected by six relationships. You may also be familiar with the less poignant six degrees of Kevin Bacon… but I digress.
The Internet is quite an amazing blessing. Who would have thought even 20 years ago about how the gospel is traveling over the Internet to reach areas where we can’t get the word of God in voice or print?
I thought the concept of “6 degrees” was intriguing, but doubted it worked with everyone. Really, I don’t get around that much and forgot every bit of French I learned in high school (knew I should’ve taken Spanish…) What would be my global impact? I haven’t even met all my neighbors yet 
I was checking out my website server logs and noticed that 70-some-odd countries visit this blog - not because it’s any good, but just because it’s there. While people visit, I hope that it ministers to them even if in a tiny way. I didn’t think about the 6 degrees of separation from something like a blog. I forgot in my provincial way of thinking that while I may only have a person or two from say… India that visits my blog each month, that doesn’t mean that my praise reports only reach two people.
Consider that a visiting blogger may mirror some of that good news to their audience either on or off-line. I forgot that their profile of various nationalities visiting may be distinctly different. A person who does not own a website may remember a story and use it as an example when talking to a friend. Conversely, I read each of the comments and pieces of conversation you all add to the blog. Your opinions on matters, praise reports, and constructive criticism are all a blessing.
The “6 degrees of separation” is very important to remember from an evangelistic perspective, because there are many dissillusioned Christians are hanging onto the tattered ends of Jesus’ cloak - too ashamed to move closer, but fortunately do not let go. Many of these people are on the Internet.
When I first think about evangelism, I remember those in destitute poverty that we see on TV with the flies buzzing around their eyes. What about those in industrial or semi-industrial nations that need the word, but have fallen prey to the enemy convincing them that our minds and wealth are our salvation? What impact could they have for Christ?
Who will reach them? Maybe it will be you. Maybe me. Maybe it will be the 4th, 5th, or 6th person/degree of separation from ourselves. Whatever the way, it can have amazing consequences. Check out this video from our friends, the Babcocks, and how simply inviting a person to church can change the course of history.
Have a blessed day!
Great post. I agree with you - it’s amazing what a “small world” we live in. And the Internet makes it even smaller. I know for me personally, our blog has helped us get in touch with people all over the world. What an amazing time we live in that technology can play an integral role in spreading the Gospel! On a side note, “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” is a great way to waste a couple of hours with your friends.
Apr 6th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
[...] slew of videos where people testify to the power of Jesus Christ in their lives. Building on that “6 degrees” post the other day, now we don’t even have to be a Christian web publishing guru, etablished ministry, or even a web [...]