Page 45 - Digital Church in a Lonely World

Heartfelt, meaningful and in-person community is the first practice of true community today. The sec-
ond practice is bold digital innovation to reach and disciple people.

THE FOUR TH INDUS TRIAL REV OL UTION

Technology has become ubiquitous. It pervades almost every interaction we have on any given day. The
Fourth Industrial Revolution is marked by technology, such as:

• Advanced robotics • Cloud and quantum computing
• Cryptocurrencies • 3D printing
• “Internet of things” • Augmented reality
• Artificial intelligence • Space travel

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is not coming. It is here. Giant tech companies, including the likes of
Google, Amazon and Facebook (or rather, Meta), have disrupted entire industries.

Local churches exist within a culture, a time in history and a geographical space. We are shaped by the
era in which we live.

This is not a statement in favor of relativism or compromise in church or giving in to the times.
Consider that the Church we read about in the Book of Acts didn’t have parking lots, pews, crosses
adorning beautifully designed facilities or even baptism tanks. I’m not sure we would call any of those
things compromises; they are advancements that have come with modern society.

The point is this: We are not immune to the digital era. If we fight it, we will lose.

At the same time, if we act like a leaf tossed into a stream and simply abandon biblical convictions, we
will drift from our central purpose.

“Technology is a useful servant
but a dangerous master.”

— CHRISTIAN LOUS LANGE, IN HIS
NOBEL LECTURE IN 1921

DIGITAL CHURCH IN A LONELY WORLD 45