Messages From Mars

Ordinarily, a church updating it's website wouldn't be major news. But when Mars Hill does it - it's not to look cool, or get more clicks.

While a few thousand people walk through the doors of Mars Hill ... over 50,000 arrive at our homepage every week ... online ministry is a huge part of what we do.

As explained on their blog post, only 8% of website visitors are from the church's home town of Seattle, and only a quarter from the USA.

Their motivation is to help more people hear about Jesus - and they've been creative in "finding new ways to get the Gospel to you through the internet". It's encouraging to see a church that is fully embracing the 21st century - but also going to great lengths to share the gospel (sermon transcripts are even translated into Spanish).

It kind of shows up the churches who treat the gospel like a ransom hostage - that can only be obtained at the time and place specified by the kidnapper. Instead, Mars Hill wants us to obtain "content about Jesus as quickly and easily as possible". Which approach sounds more biblical?

Here's some help - Jesus's words about hiding a light, and the parable of the talents.