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Unwelcome Ministries
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Posting Information about Ministries in Unfriendly Regions
Many may not realize how dangerous it might be to post information about ministries serving in regions of the world known to be hostile towards Christianity. This page helps give some ideas on how to avoid problems, resist common temptations, and suggestions for working around limitations.The Problem
Well, the main problem is are a large number of countries that have no tolerance of Christianity. Some countries simply tolerate existing Christians but forbid the preaching of the Gospel. Others, have made it against the law to be a Christian at all. In some countries, the government overlooks violence committed against known Christians and their families by vigilante groups. In other countries, the government itself is reponsible for systematically exterminating any pockets of Christianity and Christians in their area. Regardless of which extreme a particular region takes against Christians, underlying issue is that any means of communications that might identify or locate Christians (especially missionaries) could jepordize their safty and others close to them.The Internet
Well, the Internet has opened up a wonderful way to allow folks from all over the world to keep up with each other. Ministries can post webpages, pictures, and other information to keep those back home informed and involved. The problem comes when folks with ill intentions also monitor those webpages, email, and other online communication as a way to find and hunt down the leaders and members of such ministries.The Internet can be a powerful tool to keep the right folks informed, but caution must be used to keep out the spies.
Good Practices In Online Posting
Each ministry will have to assess the need for certain precautions depending on the overall environment towards Christianity in their particular area. With that said, here are some "common sense" practices that can help keep overseas ministries safe:No Private Information Posted Here
The most obvious pactice is to keep certain, specifics off any page that is publicly accessible. The dark forces lurk online too, so don't post stuff about your exact location, specific names, and specific dates of your events.Nicknames, when you must
Folks back home will want names of specific folks to keep in prayer or updates about them. Use nicknames, perhaps Western-sounding ones, to refer to actual people. Don't use a real nickname that the locals will recongnise. These are just "aliases" for particular people you want lifted up in prayer.Codewords and Phrases
Setup a special system of code phrases, messages, or even entire encode/decoding system that your loved ones back home understand. Stuff that looks like gibberish to the casual eye can be used to communicate between thoses that understand how to "decode" the messages.No Detailed Descriptions
If you need to refer to an area, region, person, or group of people, use generic descriptions. Don't use words or phrases that will make it easy for someone locally to find a person or area you are referring to."Censor" your Pictures
Use the "blur" tool to blur out people's faces you don't want recognized online. You may want to consider not posting pictures at all that have too much detail or information that can be used to figure out who or what is going on.Password Protect Sensitive Information
If you really need to share some specific information with those back home, setup an encrypted (SSL) and password protected webpage/website. This will force your loved ones to login to see your updates, but helps keep out the bad guys. Be cautions, even here -- SSL and passwords aren't perfect and they can be hacked by talented hackers. Some unfriendly countries often support illegal activities (ends justify the means) to gain information about Christians they can attack. With this, you have to weight the potential of leaking out information to the wrong folks verses keeping the prayer warriors informed.Don't Share Via Email
Rule of thumb: If you won't share it online and broadcast it to everyone to everyone that might attack you, don't send it by email. Email is just as insecure as unencrypted, unpassworded webpages. Even better, you usually can't "retract" something once the email is sent out. If your sensitive email happens to get forwarded to a nasty government official or leader of a local vigilante group, that could lead to an unpleasant meeting.Communicate Your Precautions to Others
The chain is only as strong as the weakest link! If you follow your own precautions, but fail to tell the others the same when communicating back to you, they might accidently give away precious specific information to the enemy.Remember: You are at WAR
The enemy will do anything and stop at nothing to destroy you and your ministry. If you don't realize that you are at WAR (spiritual, and sometimes physical), you are nieve and heading for trouble.Pray
Most importantly, pray constantly -- which your probably do regularly if you are in a true "Christian War Zone". Pray about the content you are considering posting. Take these things seriously and proceed with caution attempting to employ powerful communications network like the Internet.
Conclusion
These are just "common sense" suggestions to help ministries out "in the field" and "at War" keep in touch using the Internet. The Internet can be a powerful weapon -- for and against you. Taking steps to help protect your own safty and the safty of others in your ministry is important.You also have to balance the need to be secure with the need of communicating your message, needs, and concerns to your support team back home.
Disclaimer
ChurchServe does not warrant any information on this webpage. The information presented is "as is" and ChurchServe will not be reponsible for any harm, loss of life, or other problems as a result of following the advice presented on this page. Use at your own risk.
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