Evangelism via Tools of Digital Communication The Benefits of Alpha Online Courses

Stefan Seibel

Etd

Evangelism via Tools of Digital Communication The Benefits of Alpha Online Courses

Public Deposited

MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Stefan Seibel . Evangelism Via Tools of Digital Communication The Benefits of Alpha Online Courses. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/f7a4f294-b1c4-4245-a0d4-8bb35895d530.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

S. Seibel. Evangelism via Tools of Digital Communication The Benefits of Alpha Online Courses. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/f7a4f294-b1c4-4245-a0d4-8bb35895d530

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Stefan Seibel . Evangelism Via Tools of Digital Communication The Benefits of Alpha Online Courses. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/f7a4f294-b1c4-4245-a0d4-8bb35895d530.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

Stefan Seibel

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Abstract

This study examines the Alpha Online Course for a local church, examining the process of evangelism through digital communication. During the years of the Corona Virus pandemic, numbers of digitally mediated meetings via Zoom skyrocketed. Likewise, many churches that previously conducted the Alpha Course via the in-person format made a transition to offer the Alpha Online Course. This research project has sought to understand and articulate the spiritual dynamics of an Alpha Online Course with particular attention to people who converted to faith through the online medium. This researcher explored how a local church might spread the gospel and reach people effectively in the digital realm through interactive online meetings, and why it should consider this way of evangelism as a viable means of evangelism. Incorporating evidence from literature, Scripture, participant observation, and twenty qualitative interviews, this study argues that the Alpha Course offered via the Zoom video conference has the potential to create a social space that is equal to if not preferred to in person courses. Alpha Course Online is an effective means of evangelism. It provides the participant(s) as well as the facilitator(s) with a means to balance the degree of closeness and distance. In contrast to in-person Alpha Courses, Alpha Online provides people an opportunity to participate in emotionally and spiritually engaging meetings. This study shows that participants adjust quickly to the digital format and in this setting may engage in discussion, expressing their thoughts clearly and handling their emotions self-responsibly without embarrassment. The Alpha Course Online allows both intimacy and privacy at the same time. It enables people to reach a deeper level of conversation more quickly than expected. Hence, Alpha Online is more than a supplement; it represents a possible solution to overcome reservations of facilitators, as well as participants regarding evangelism.

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