Page 50 - Digital Church in a Lonely World

Now that we are able to look ahead, there is space to develop a holistic approach to how we use digital
strategies. Innovation involves time to be creative, freedom to experiment and, most importantly, a
robust framework for what success should be. Innovation aims for a target; it is not random online
expressions.

• Digital tech allows us to tap into the other 166 hours of a person’s week when they’re not in
church.
• Digital tech provides scope for deeper discipleship and content delivery that reaches people
specifically at their point of need.
• Digital tech can scale at such a high level that the caliber of theological content and training will
continue to improve in quality.
• Digital tech supports the mission of the church.
• Digital tech allows mentoring and coaching via Zoom.
• Digital tech allows teams to be built and strengthened.
• Digital tech facilitates community and relationships if done well (but not as well as in person—at
least not yet!).

Substituting digital for in-person gatherings during a pandemic is smart. It is not a full expression of
church community, but it is something. Online ministry should support, not substitute.

Before we adopt a new technology, let’s not ask, “Will people prefer this?” Rather, we should ask
questions such as:

• Is this healthy?
• What are the ramifications of this for the next generation?
• Is this merely convenient or does it make us better?
• Are there hidden costs to this technology?
• How will this technology affect our culture and the people side of our church?
• How effective will this be in terms of ministry to kids, youth and the elderly?

Physical, in-person experiences are not dead. In fact, some of the
leading tech companies are investing strongly in this area.

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