Page 61 - Digital Church in a Lonely World

KEY IDEAS

1 . We should not allow consumeristic Christian preference to be the value that informs our

models of the future church.
2 . Digital tech should supplement, not replace, in-person community.
3 . We need a biblical framework of church community that goes beyond digital vs. hybrid vs.

in-person.
4 . We should radically innovate in the digital world, within boundaries that reflect our purpose

and mission.
5 . We should harness online tools to extend our reach and deepen our discipleship.
6 . We should identify, and then elevate, the aspects of an in-person church service that cannot be

replaced online.
7 . We should lean into new ways to use our physical spaces to provide relational elements that

people cannot get online.
8 . We should be intentional about value-adds for people when they are already physically on-site,

instead of asking them to come back a second time during the week. Are we able to provide
options for on-site small groups, support and care groups, age-distinctive ministries, deeper
Bible training, and leadership development courses that start before or after the primary
weekend service?
9 . We should rediscover the ancient practices of physicality, such as the laying on of hands with

prayer, communion and baptism—moments where the congregation can sing and feel the
wonder of God at work with his
people in a physical place and
time.
10. We should embrace hospitality
at a higher level—coffee, food,
sitting areas. Foyers and cafés
need to become as important as
auditoriums in our facility design.
11. We should make room for new
and innovative expressions of
church that transcend geography
and use a curated mix of both
online and in-person elements
to build a healthy church that is
global in reach.

DIGITAL CHURCH IN A LONELY WORLD 61