Page 63 - Digital Church in a Lonely World

It leads me to this crucial statement: In the midst of the digital revolution, we should boldly innovate
in all areas, but we should be slow to forever replace in-person community for something on a screen.
Perhaps a new technology will arise that changes that. But, in the meantime, in a culture that is lonely
and isolated, the local church has the opportunity to provide for what is one of the greatest needs, not
only of Millennials and Gen Z but all generations: biblical community.

For pastors, we are entering an exciting era of creativity and change. When assessing new ideas, the
object shouldn’t be to try and make everything look like it did in previous generations. A better guiding
question would be: If we are using an innovative approach, how will we be intensely intentional about
building community that achieves interpersonal responsibility, inconvenient hospitality and institutional
physicality?

My central thesis is that we need a
new approach that embraces in-person
community as the ideal, while boldly
pursuing digital innovation

I’ve heard pastor Rick Warren say that instead of trying to keep up with every new fad, wise leaders
build churches on what doesn’t change. He says, “When you focus on what’s eternal, you are always
relevant.” What timely wisdom for pastors in an age of accelerated disruption!

My central thesis is that we need a new approach that embraces in-person community as the ideal,
while boldly pursuing digital innovation. In-person community is not just limited to looking like a
weekend service. It could be microgatherings, small groups and home meetings. It’s not the form or
model that matters as much as the ethos of what that community values.

DIGITAL CHURCH IN A LONELY WORLD 63