Discipleship in a Digital Age
This article introduces Christian Standard’s issue theme, “Discipleship in a Digital Age,” by reflecting on how churches can embrace changing methods while remaining anchored to unchanging biblical principles. It highlights articles addressing AI, digital ministry, online discipleship, livestreaming, communication, global missions, and the effects of technology on children.
- Churches should evaluate new technology through the lens of biblical truth and mission.
- This issue explores ethical and practical uses of AI, digital communication, and online discipleship.
- The methods may change, but the message and person of Jesus Christ remain unchanged.
The late Ben Merold was fond of quoting the adage, “Methods are many. Principles are few. Methods change often. Principles never do.”
Ben’s adherence to this belief was one of the many reasons he was such a successful and respected church leader. Even in his later years, while holding firmly to biblical truth, Ben remained open to new ideas and helpful innovations. His example is worth emulating.
That’s particularly true in our digital age.
I’ll spare you the details, but I’m amazed when I track the advancements in digital technology that have occurred in my lifetime. As a young adult, I would have never imagined I would witness this degree of technological development—most recently, the refinement and popular use of artificial intelligence.
AI is here, and it’s not going anywhere. And, like most significant cultural advancements, it carries potential for both positive and negative impact.
How Should Christians View AI?
So, what does that mean for the church? How should Christians view AI? Should we use it, and if so, how? In a broader sense, how can the church respond to the many advancements we’re witnessing in digital technology in ways that enhance Christ’s work without selling out to the world?
These are a some of the questions we considered as we developed this issue of Christian Standard. Our theme, “Discipleship in a Digital Age,” speaks to this concern. Here are some of the insights you’ll find in this issue.
In “The Transformation of Christian Standard,” publisher Jerry Harris writes about the new vision he has articulated for Christian Standard Media and how it came about. In its transformation, Christian Standard will continue its 160-year ministry of teaching and equipping Restoration Movement churches and church leaders with biblical content and practical ministry help, while providing a Movement-wide platform for “leveraging the power that comes from our unity.”
Using AI and Digital Tools Wisely
Can we justify the use of AI tools in sermon preparation? Reflecting on his years of leadership with First Church, Burlington, Kentucky, Darin Mirante guides us through the ethical use of AI in “Do You Need a Soul to Preach? How to Use AI Ethically in Sermon Preparation.”
In what ways can AI tools help the local church reach its community and beyond? In “How to Use AI to Expand Your Reach—Without Losing What Matters Most,” Wes Woodell, CTO for Christian Standard and founder of Connect My Church, shares best practices for local congregations looking to use AI wisely and efficiently to help them connect with those who need Christ.
In addition to AI, we have at our disposal today many forms of digital technology and social media that can be used effectively to enter regions of the world and impact people who would otherwise be cut off from the gospel. One of the leaders and innovators in this area is the mission organization Team Expansion. In “Creating Online Communities for Discipleship,” TE founder and president Doug Lucas shows us how we can use this technology both to reach people and to foster movements for the gospel.
Good News Productions International is an innovator in the use of technology to spread the gospel around the globe. For over 50 years, this mission organization has been remarkably successful in employing the latest methods to take both the Word of God and the message of the gospel throughout the world. In “Good News Productions International: Sharing the Gospel Through Strategic Communication for Half a Century,” GNPI president Mike Schrage tells us about GNPI’s history, its current initiatives, and its future plans.
Digital Discipleship and Church Communication
Is your congregation reaching more people than you think? A recent study showed that, in larger churches, the number of people who are being ministered to is significantly larger than the number of people who regularly attend. With the popularity of live-streamed worship services, ministry podcasts, and other forms of digital teaching, more people are being exposed to the gospel than ever before. In “Your Congregation Is Larger Than You Think,” Scott Kenworthy of Owensboro (Kentucky) Christian Church helps us consider how we can disciple those who are deeply connected to our churches yet still do not attend regularly.
As digital technology continues to advance, a local church might sense a disconnect among its members. Some will embrace new technology, and some will not. How can church leaders and parachurch ministries communicate both to those who are digitally savvy and those who aren’t? In “Communicating Well in the Digital Age,” Jamie Shafer, Senior Knowledge Solutions Specialist with Compassion International, shows us how to connect effectively with such a broad audience.
And what about our kids? How are the rapid developments of digital technology affecting them? What psychological and spiritual impacts can this have? In “The Search for Calm Waters in a Sea of Technology,” clinical counselor Douglas A. Spears provides churches and parents with helpful guidelines for protecting our children both in the digital world and the real world.
As we look for ways to embrace new technologies while adhering to ancient biblical principles, let’s remember the words of the writer of Hebrews (13:8). The methods we use may change, but “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Author: Shawn McMullen
Shawn McMullen serves as Editor of Christian Standard.
