Page 56 - Digital Church in a Lonely World

OPPOR TUNITIES FOR

DIGIT AL INNO V A TION

It is possible that digital solutions in the future can provide for biblical community in ways that we
cannot presently foresee. Already, the offline and online worlds are blurring in remarkable ways. Think
3-D printing and augmented reality.

Instead of seeing technology as a threat or a negative disruption to ministry, imagine what could
happen over the next 10 years if we embraced it and dared to conceive bold dreams!

Digital ministry reaches people in hospitals, prisons and regions where large in-person gatherings may
not be accessible. It reaches unchurched people with the gospel.

When we are developing a digital strategy amidst disruption, we need to do the following: 26

1 . Reimagine
2 . Reevaluate
3 . Reconnect
4 . Rebuild

Imagine the innovation that can come from boldly exploring the following needs through the lens of
the above four Rs:

Mission

How can we reach missionary areas? Can we become hyperlocal with online tools to target unreached
people groups?

Social Justice

Get your passion message out. Raise funds. Generate a groundswell of volunteer involvement. Partner
with other like-minded organizations. Move rapidly toward alleviating pain and meeting needs.

Pastoral Care

Imagine local church pastors being able to provide care and prayer over Zoom and having the ability to
seamlessly connect people with online tools and platforms to help them get expert help.

Evangelism

How can we dynamically reach new generations with the gospel? How can we find people in real time
who are hurting, in pain, in transition and searching for hope?

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