Page 64 - Digital Church in a Lonely World
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C OMMUNIC A TION LINES
FOR P AS T ORS
Online ministry has proven itself as an incredible tool for preaching, worship, discipleship and
evangelism. It works. And we have only just begun! Imagine another 10 years of innovation in this
space.
We have got to show people the components of biblical community they are missing out on in the
online-only church experience. If our narrative to church folks is, make sure you are “in the room” this
Sunday for such and such preacher, or for the worship experience, remember—they can all get first-class
content online. They know it. You know it. We all know it! We can no longer compel people to come to
church for content alone (though, hopefully, the content is compelling and high-quality).
We have to show people that attending in-person church in some form is the keystone habit that helps
build resilient, meaningful, biblical community. And it’s an inconvenience. It’s sacrificial. It takes time.
Yet it is worth it. In fact, it is at the very heart of the Christian faith that we would form and build
community.
Here are some examples of communication phrases that pastors can use within their church:
• We want people in our church (who are able) to aspire to be a part of in-person connection.
We believe that is where you will grow most in your faith. This could be through a small group,
weekend service or other form of social gathering.
• Our goal as a church is biblical community. We believe that is best achieved when we aspire to
make the time to come and meet together every week in-person.
• We are going to boldly embrace online tools. These enhance (not replace) who we are as a
community.
• Church is not just content delivery—a sermon, some songs, some encouragement. We are an
interdependent community where we encourage each other in Jesus.
• We are spending more time on screens than ever before, and yet we also have a loneliness
epidemic. God’s solution for this is real-life community, and that’s why building community
matters!
• Online ministry can help us reach more people and disciple people in their faith. However, we
have found that community is best built when we inconvenience our lifestyles and gather and
meet at some point throughout the week.
• It’s a new world, and our online ministry can help you grow in your faith. Let’s keep dreaming
about reaching more people online and, at the same time, let’s keep aspiring to value real-life, in-
person community.
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