Shows
The Church Digital PodcastEP353 LIVE RECORDING: Jeff & Aaron Thomson talk Discipleship, Innovation and What's NextWhat’s next for digital discipleship and online evangelism? On Tuesday, August 19 at 1pm Eastern, head over to youtube.com/thechurchdigital for a bold and forward-looking livestream conversation hosted by Jeff Reed, founder of theChurch.digital. Jeff will be joined by Aaron Thomson from Jesus Film Project to unpack what’s ahead for NextSteps, one of the most innovative tools available right now for guiding people into deeper relationship with Jesus—right from their phones, laptops, or social feeds.►► Join The Fam! ►►Discord | Youtube | Whatsapp | Web | Instagram
2025-08-201h 07
The Church Digital PodcastEP351 - Jeff & Dr Tim Talk Motivation, Calling, and the Power of TruCenterWhat truly drives your ministry? On Tuesday, August 5 at 1pm Eastern, Jeff Reed will sit down with Dr. Tim Yee to explore this question through the lens of TruCenter— http://trucenter.co - a faith-based, narrative-driven assessment that uncovers the motivations God wired into each of us.Dr. Tim Yee, a seasoned pastor and leadership coach, has a wealth of experience helping individuals and teams discover their unique callings. His work with TruCenter focuses on helping people understand their core motivations, enabling them to serve more effectively in their personal and professional lives.
2025-08-061h 01
The Church Digital PodcastEP349 - Jeff Talks Bi-Vocational Missionary Work from a TeslaWhat if the future of digital missions isn’t about going viral but about going deep? What if ministry could thrive on less money, more risk and bi-vocational calling? Jeff Reed, founder of theChurch.digital, is living that tension.While livestreaming from his Tesla, Jeff shares the raw realities of leading a global digital ministry while stepping back into physical church work. It’s about decentralizing. Moving from being the guy to building the framework. From going solo to inviting a movement.►► Join The Fam! ►►Discord | Youtube | Whatsapp | Web | Instagram
2025-07-3055 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP346 - From App to Impact: Jeff Talks How GodTools Equips Digital MissionariesWhat if your smartphone could become your most powerful evangelism tool? On Tuesday, July 1 at 1pm Eastern, Jeff Reed from theChurch.digital sits down with What if sharing the gospel happened with a tap on your screen? Imagine your next disciple-making conversation happened over a screen share.GodTools equips everyday believers with bite-sized evangelism tools and micro-learning lessons. We’re leaning into the frontiers of digital ministry. ►► Join The Fam! ►►Discord | Youtube | Whatsapp | Web | Instagram
2025-07-0259 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP344 - Alan Hirsch Talks the Role of Digital in Incarnational MinistryJoin Jeff Reed (theChurch.Digital), Jesse Carbo (Digital Missions Project), and missiologist Alan Hirsch (5Q/5G) for a groundbreaking live stream conversation that reimagines incarnational ministry for the digital age. In a world where people grieve on Facebook, wrestle with doubt in Reddit threads, and seek prayer in Instagram DMs, this trio unpacks what it means to “move into the neighborhood” online. They challenge the Church to stop treating platforms like pulpits and start treating them like porches—spaces where relational ministry, not just content, becomes the heartbeat of mission.
2025-06-191h 06
The Church Digital PodcastEP335 - Jeff Talks Fall Conference(s), Ambassadors & Matthew 6The digital mission field is exploding, and The Church Digital is leading the way. In this episode, Jeff Reed shares a personal update before diving into new community breakthroughs on Discord, Twitch, and more. Virtual ministry is not just growing, it is transforming, and you are invited to be part of the movement.Get ready for big news: multiple focused fall conferences, a European digital missions partnership, and the launch of the Digital Missions Ambassador initiative. Fifty leaders rising up through prayer, fasting, and generosity to fuel the future. This is not church as usual. This is a digital...
2025-04-2854 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP 334 - Jeff Talks VR With Mr. PeteWhat happens when an 84-year-old hijacks your digital missionary conference and it turns out to be one of the best moments of the week? In episode 334 of theChurch.digital podcast, Jeff Reed unpacks the Digital Missionary Conference chaos. Bootlegged streams. VR prayer circles. Unexpected partnerships. And a surprise metaverse legend named Mr. Pete.►► Join The Fam! ►►Discord | Youtube | Whatsapp | Web | Instagram
2025-04-211h 00
The Church Digital PodcastEP333 - Jeff Revisits the Digital Missionary ConferenceWhat happens when 1,400 digital missionaries from 85 countries collide? This episode of The Church Digital podcast goes deep behind the scenes of the Digital Missionary Conference. Jeff Reed breaks down the highlights, from VR gatherings and unexpected connections to the raw stories that are pushing digital ministry into new territory. If you’ve ever questioned whether digital discipleship is real, this one’s going to wreck your doubts.►► Join The Fam! ►►Discord | Youtube | Whatsapp | Web | Instagram
2025-04-1453 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP 332 - Questions - Is the Metaverse Dead?Is the metaverse dead? Not even close. In episode 332 of The Church Digital Podcast, Jeff Reed sits down with DJ Soto, Pastor Alina and Pastor Coco to break the mold of traditional ministry. This isn’t about streaming your Sunday service. It’s about global disciple-making movements happening in the heart of virtual spaces like Final Fantasy, Rec Room and VR Chat. These aren’t gimmicks. They’re churches. They’re communities. They’re mission fields. You’ll hear how VRMMO Church is doing what buildings can’t, reaching the unreached and restoring those who’ve been burned by church. This episo...
2025-03-311h 21
The Church Digital PodcastEP 331 - Questions - Why Are There So Few Women in Digital Ministry?Why do digital ministry spaces still struggle with gender equity?Episode 331 of theChurch.digital Podcast pulls no punches. Jeff Reed sits down with digital ministry leaders Amanda Souza, Nicole Howard, and Anne Bosarge to tackle the hard truth: women are still underrepresented in digital ministry leadership. They get raw about their experiences navigating male-dominated platforms and church ecosystems, both online and off. This isn't just talk. It's a challenge to the status quo and a rallying cry to anyone who's felt overlooked in their digital calling.This episode breaks down barriers. From...
2025-03-251h 16
Worth the BingeExploring the Depths of Woes Hollow: Insights from Severance Season 2Aubree and Jeff delve into the intricate narrative of Severance Season 2, Episode 4, titled 'Woes Hollow.' The episode unfolds with the protagonists, Irving, Mark, and Helly, inexplicably transported to the serene yet unsettling setting of a frozen lake. The bizarre landscape serves as a backdrop for a peculiar team-building exercise orchestrated by Milchick, who introduces an array of surreal challenges that blur the line between reality and fiction. Throughout the episode, the group grapples with their disorientation and the enigmatic nature of their excursion, which is steeped in mystery and foreboding. The discussion highlights the episode's exploration of existential...
2025-02-2128 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP298 - Tom Pounder & Utilizing YouTube at Your ChurchWelcome to episode 298 of The Church Digital. Join Tom Pounder and Jeff Reed as they explore the changing dynamics of church digital media post-Covid in this riveting YouTube episode.
Delving into his journey of expanding a church's YouTube channel from 300 to nearly 1900 subscribers, Tom sheds light on his content strategies, including leveraging daily devotionals and engaging shorts. Forget about massive budgets or high-quality videos for effective communication of the word of God. There is power in authenticity and genuine connections over production quality. Additionally, Jeff brings to the table insightful analytics on the role of YouTube shorts in bolstering...
2024-06-0957 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP297 - Jeff talks about hybrid micrositesWelcome to episode 297 of The Church Digital, where Jeff unpacks how digital strategies can mesh with church leaders’ objectives, the potential of digital communities on social platforms, and how an emerging "introvert economy" could reshape interactions within the church. We'll delve into the importance of crafting social spaces that foster real conversations and how cutting-edge church formats, like microsites and watch parties, can cater to a broad audience.
Join us and learn how to fully engage your calling, impacting lives profoundly wherever you are.
►► Join The Fam!
https://www.thechu...
2024-06-0458 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP296 - Mental Health Ministry with Megan CarterWelcome to The Church Digital Podcast—your frontline guide as we decode the complex intersection of faith, technology, and ministry in today's digital era. In this captivating episode, host Jeff Reed is joined by insightful and passionate Megan Carter to dive deep into the essential subject of Mental Health Ministry within the church community. Together, they set out on a path laden with personal insights, shared stories, and audacious solutions for churches tackling the urgent matter of mental health with empathy and insight.Venturing through the intricate web of mental health advocacy in a ministry setting, Jeff and Megan ch...
2024-05-281h 00
The Church Digital PodcastEP295: Peyton Jones, Stunami, and Planting Churches in the MetaverseIn the Church Digital Podcast, Jeff Reed guides us through the evolving intersection of faith and technology, tackling crucial questions like the feasibility of digital disciple-making and the implications of the metaverse and artificial intelligence in church operations. With a focus on making biblically grounded churches thrive both online and offline, this episode aims to empower churches of all sizes to embrace technological innovations for ministry growth.
2024-05-201h 13
The Church Digital PodcastEP294 - Barbara Carneiro & Focusing Digital Communications for ChurchIn this conversation, Jeff Reed and Barbara Carneiro discuss their personal experiences and challenges related to church communications. They talk about the importance of defining and understanding your audience, and how to humanize the concept of an audience by thinking about who is sitting at your table. They also discuss the tension between who you want your church to be and who you are actually reaching, and the need to focus on the connections you have rather than trying to change and recruit new ones. The conversation explores the tension between who we want to become and who we...
2024-05-131h 07
The Church Digital PodcastEP293 - Andy Mage & Building Deeper Relationships Embracing Asynchronous CommunityIn this episode, Jeff Reed and Andy Mage discuss the concept of asynchronous community and its potential for churches. They define an asynchronous community as communication that does not happen in real time, such as through text messages, social media, or online forums.
They emphasize that asynchronous community goes beyond simple conversation and engagement, fostering deeper relationships, support networks, spiritual growth, and involvement in service. They share personal experiences, forming meaningful relationships through online gaming and message boards.
They also address whether these relationships are real and argue they can lead to discipleship and authentic community. In this conversation...
2024-05-061h 16
The Church Digital PodcastEP292 - DK Hammonds and the State of the African American Digital ChurchNavigating the Digital Landscape: The African American Church's Path Forward
How the Digital Church is Reshaping Worship, Community, and Engagement in the African American Context
The African American church has long been a cornerstone of community, spirituality, and resistance. However, as the world shifts towards a more digital-centric approach, these churches face unique challenges and opportunities. In episode 292 of the TCD podcast, hosted by Jeff Reed, guest DK Hammonds sheds light on the state of the African American digital church, emphasizing the potential for growth and the need for a nuanced approach to technology.
2024-04-291h 05
The Church Digital PodcastEP291 - Jeff Celebrates 5 Years of The Church Digital PodcastThe Evolution of Digital Ministry: Celebrating Milestones and Embracing the Future
The Church Digital Podcast is brought to you by Riverside. Check out how Riverside can help your church's content-creation process - http://thechurch.digital/riverside
As we mark the five-year anniversary of The Church Digital Podcast and the 24-year anniversary of Jeff Reed's first digital ministry venture with ebeliever.com, it's a time of reflection on the leaps and strides made in integrating technology with faith practice.
In January 2000, Jeff Reed embarked on an ambitious project to create ebeliever.com, a pr...
2024-04-221h 08
The Church Digital PodcastEP290 - Jeff Talks New Website, Discord, and a New Online EraNavigating Digital Transformation: TCD Unveils a New Online Era
The Church Digital Podcast is brought to you by Riverside. Check out how Riverside can help your church's content-creation process - http://thechurch.digital/riverside
In an age where digital presence has become integral to every organization, TCD is no exception.
Ep290 of TCD podcast reveals a transformative period for our digital church. Helmed by host Jeff Reed and his leadership team including Andy Mage, Barbara Carnero, JMO, Jason Morris, and flat cap Layton, TCD is marching into a new era of online...
2024-04-171h 03
The Church Digital PodcastEP289 - Jeff Talks Beer, Multiplication, and the Digital ChurchNavigating Digital Multiplication and Fostering Global Church Leadership
The Church Digital Podcast is brought to you by Riverside. Check out how Riverside can help your church's content-creation process - HTTP://THECHURCH.DIGITAL/RIVERSIDE
### Rethinking Ministry in the Digital Age
Jeff Reed invites us to deeply reflect on the transformation of church dynamics in the digital context. He shares his experiences and the economic challenges he faced managing a Christian store, emphasizing how those situations served as a catalyst for his digital ministry journey. Jeff advocates for a paradigm shift in how we perceive...
2024-04-021h 07
The Church Digital PodcastEP288 - Navigating Asynchronous Community - Gabe DeWalk and the Kingstide JourneyConnecting Faith and Technology: The Kingstide Journey and Its Digital Aspirations
THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY RIVERSIDE. CHECK OUT HOW RIVERSIDE CAN HELP YOUR CHURCH'S CONTENT-CREATION PROCESS - http://thechurch.digital/riverside
Embracing Community in the Digital Era
With our generation steeping further into the digital realm, Kingstide has pioneered an ingenious approach to fostering Christian community online. Their mission, which resounded throughout the latest episode of the podcast TCD, is as audacious as it is praiseworthy: to weave a network of believers online, and gradually guide them towards local churches...
2024-03-251h 01
The Church Digital PodcastEP287 - Innovating for Impact: Jeff Talks Digital Church MovementsExploring Tradition and Innovation in Church Movements: TCD's Vision of Digital DiscipleshipThe Church Digital
Podcast is brought to you by Riverside. Check out how Riverside can help your church's content-creation process - HTTP://THECHURCH.DIGITAL/RIVERSIDE
Digital Innovation: Reshaping Church Movements
Jeff Reed's recent commentary on the evolving face of church movements underscores the delicate balance between traditional church values and the cutting-edge approaches needed in today's digital era. As Jeff eloquently puts it, the early churches found strength and momentum not in physical buildings, but in the power of being sent out...
2024-03-1847 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP286 - Jon Pyle on Disappointment, Timing, and Authenticity in FaithDive into Unfiltered Chats on Disappointment, Integrity, and Keeping It Real in a Hyper-connected World
The Church Digital Podcast is brought to you by Riverside. Check out how Riverside can help your church's content-creation process - http://thechurch.digital/riverside
Dealing with the 'Not Yet' Moments
Jeff Reed kicks things off by getting real about those moments when life doesn't play by the script - yeah, we're talking dashed hopes and divine delays. Jon Pyle jumps in, dropping some wisdom about how our journey can get messy when things don't happen on our...
2024-03-111h 00
The Church Digital PodcastEP285 - Quintin McGrath, Sora, and the Ethics Behind Text-to-VideoIn this conversation, Jeff Reed and Quintin McGrath discuss the ethical implications of OpenAI's Sora, a text-to-video technology. They explore the capabilities of Sora and its potential for creative expression. However, they also delve into the negative aspects, such as the potential for bias and the creation of deep fakes. They emphasize the importance of setting ethical boundaries and being transparent about intentions. The conversation raises concerns about trust in organizations that draw the lines and the need for permissions to prevent personal violations. The conversation explores the embedding of AI in video, ethical considerations in AI-generated education, using...
2024-03-041h 00
The Church Digital PodcastEP284 - Simon Diercks & German Digital Church PlantingDigital Frontiers - A Conversation with Simon Diercks on German Digital Church Planting
THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY RIVERSIDE. CHECK OUT HOW RIVERSIDE CAN HELP YOUR CHURCH'S CONTENT-CREATION PROCESS - http://thechurch.digital/riverside
The Path of Digital Discipleship
In the latest episode of The Church Digital (TCD) podcast, host Jeff Reed delves into the burgeoning world of digital church planting in Germany with his guest, Simon Diercks. Diercks, a pastor, programmer, and avid ultra-hiker, brings a unique perspective on spreading God's kingdom through the digital landscape.
Digital Church Planting in Germany
Simon...
2024-02-2657 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP283 - Pushpay's Aaron Senneff on AI, Virtual Ministry, and Digital CommunitiesThe Surging Intersection of Tech and Church: A Journey into Hybrid Worship and AI Ethics
THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY RIVERSIDE. CHECK OUT HOW RIVERSIDE CAN HELP YOUR CHURCH'S CONTENT-CREATION PROCESS - http://thechurch.digital/riverside
Download Pushpay's State of the Church Tech Report - https://hub.pushpay.com/state-of-church-technology/
As the world embraces a more digitalized ethos, the church is no exception. In The Church Digital (TCD) Podcast, host Jeff Reed and guest Aaron Senneff discussed the undulating relationship between technology and faith-based organizations.
Tech Integration in Modern Worship
The conversation kicked off with...
2024-02-2057 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP282 - Andy Mage & The Apple Vision ProThe Future of Tech and Church: Augmented Dreams and Community Realities
THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY RIVERSIDE. CHECK OUT HOW RIVERSIDE CAN HELP YOUR CHURCH'S CONTENT-CREATION PROCESS - http://thechurch.digital/riverside
Understanding Apple's Vision Pro Impact
The recent episode of the Church Digital Podcast (TCD) dove into a technology that could revolutionize not just everyday life but also the workings of the church. Host Jeff Reed and operations director Andy Mage engaged in a lively conversation about the newly released Apple Vision Pro. Priced at $3,500, the device showcases advances in augmented and virtual reality...
2024-02-1259 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP281 - Barbara Carneiro, Generational Communication, and Target AudienceIn an ever-evolving church landscape, it’s crucial to understand who we are communicating with. Barbara Carneiro, CEO of Word Revolution, articulates the importance of specificity in content curation. Catering to different generations isn't just wise; it's essential. She eloquently breaks down generational categories into four Cs: contributors (boomers), consumers (Gen Xers), collaborators (millennials), and curators (Gen Zs). These categories reflect distinct worldviews shaped by diverse upbringings. Grasping these nuances can transform the way your church reaches out to each group.
The Transformative Power of Simplification
Jeff Reed, host of TCD, together with Carneiro, advocates for targeted communication over br...
2024-02-0559 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP280 - Trauma, Crisis, and Digital MinistryIn digital spaces where the need is significant, the theological and pastoral landscapes of churches are expanding beyond the physical realm. EP280 of the TCD podcast, hosted by Jeff Reed, features a conversation that weaves together crisis, trauma, and digital ministry, presenting an intersection often underserved in theological discussions.
**Recognizing Trauma in Digital Ministry**
Trauma comes in many forms, and it's no stranger to the digital realm. Megan Carter and Stacy Knapp stress the importance of understanding trauma's manifestation through behavior changes, communication patterns, and emotional flatness, among other signs.
**The Heart of Empathy**
Empathy and humble listening are...
2024-01-2958 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP279 - Evan Connelly, Intercom.com, and Chat 2.0 for ChurchesLeveraging Live Chat for Enhanced Church Connection
Creating Community Through Digital Ministry
The recent episode of TCD podcast EPA 279 featured Evan Connelly from Lighthouse Church, who shared insights into utilizing live chat as a tool to foster community within the church. The use of Intercom.com, a platform typically used for customer service, has been repurposed by Lighthouse Church to create personal connections between pastors and the congregation, both online and in-person.
Digital Tools in Post-COVID Era
Host Jeff Reed and Evan Connelly delved into the challenge of some churches devaluing digital tools post-COVID. However, their conversation highlighted the...
2024-01-2250 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP278 - Kenny Jahng, Bacon, and What's Next for AI?Exploring the Next Frontier: AI's Role in Church and Society
Next up on The Church Digital Podcast, we're bringing Kenny Jahng, AI Next director at Exponential Next. The latest episode, hosted by Jeff Reed, delved into the fascinating yet complex domain of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for the church.
AGI: A Reality, Not a Hypothesis
Jahng points out that AGI isn't a distant fantasy but a current reality, with AI deciphering thoughts through MRI scans or manipulating Wi-Fi signals for surveillance. These examples underline the urgency for ethical discussions within the church as this technology could interpret...
2024-01-151h 03
The Church Digital PodcastEP277 - Dr Dan Tebo, and a Dissertation on Digital ChurchDigital Discipleship: The Exponential Potential of Innovative Ministry
In TCD's latest episode, EP277 - Dr Dan Tebo & A Dissertation on Digital Church, we delve into an ocean of insights that stood out as a beacon of illumination for the modern church. Jeff Reed, the host, and Dr. Dan Tebo, the guest, engage in a profound dialogue about digital discipleship and its innate potential for transformative growth.
Realizing Missed Opportunities in Disciple Making
A glance back to 2008 reveals a pivotal moment where the church could have embraced disciple making over mere discipleship—a decision that could have catalyzed exponential growth. Je...
2024-01-0855 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP276 - Bernie Mapili, Andy Mage, and The New "The Church Digital"Embracing Digital Discipleship: The New Era of Church Digital Engagement
The New Frontier of the Digital Church:
In an ever-evolving digital landscape, The Church Digital Podcast's latest podcast, EP276 - "The New The Church Digital," featuring host Jeff Reed, has deeply explored digital discipleship's dynamics and role in modern ministry. The episode encapsulates a pivotal shift toward digital solutions for spiritual outreach, with conversations revolving around using digital spaces for evangelization, particularly in countries where physical evangelism encounters legal barriers.
Aquatic Leadership and Collaboration:
A...
2024-01-011h 13
The Church Digital PodcastEP275 - Jay Kranda & Getting Your Church to ExperimentSaddleback has always had an experimental culture. Seeing Saddleback adopt a digital strategy literally a decade+ ago, and then move into decentralized and micro church strategies…Saddleback has learned that failure is not the end of the experiment. Failure is just one step closer to finding success.
But, how do you get your church to experiment? With services coming every Sunday, even with the push for “excellence” every week…how do we do something different? These are the questions we’re bringing to Jay Kranda, Online Community Pastor at Saddleback.
By the way, these are the issues...
2023-06-0552 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP268: Gen Z, Gen A, and the Benefits of Gamer ChurchSeason 4 of The Church Digital Podcast has been a deep dive, an introspective look into Gaming and Nerd Culture, and how the church is already active in this space.
In the concluding episode, Jeff and Season Co-Host Mark Lutz jump in a conversation to discuss the highlights of the season, as well as an overarching theme: what are the opportunities to utilize Gaming Church to reach Gen Z, and even Gen A!
Plus, get a sneak peek of the future of Jesus, Gamers, and Church with a couple special announcements from Jeff & Mark. All here o...
2023-04-1746 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP250 - Dr John Harris in Book Launch, Sharing Jesus OnlineEP250 - Dr John Harris in Book Launch, Sharing Jesus Online
Jeff and Dr John wrote a new book, and we’re celebrating right here on this podcast! Download the PDF or buy the softcover on Amazon. Check out http://SharingJesusOnline.com for more info
Here on The Church Digital Podcast we are celebrating our next book launch, Sharing Jesus Online. Written by Dr John Harris and Jeff Reed, Sharing Jesus Online is a simple, reproducible framework helping people effectively share their faith online. With the idea of creating digital and metaverse missionaries, Sharing Jesus On...
2023-01-2352 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP247: 5 Things You Need to Know Heading Into 20232023 is upon us, and THECHURCH.DIGITAL & Digital Church Network are working hard to help pastors, planters and practitioners with their digital ministry. 2022 brought us massive opportunities; join Jeff as we celebrate 2022 and tease what's to come in 2023.
He Gets Us may be the best evangelism opportunity the American church has this year. Open Office on He Gets Us - http//thechurch.digital/openoffice // signup He Gets Us - http://thechurch.digital/hegetsus
Jeff's next book, with Dr John Harris: Sharing Jesus Online - Helping Everyday Believers Become Digital & Metaverse Missionaries, releases Monday, January 16.
Exponential Conference is coming up...
2023-01-0221 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP246: Leonard Sweet talks Digital ChurchSO HERE'S THE DEAL... Almost 25 years ago, as a college student, I read Leonard Sweet’s book SoulTsunami, and to say that it changed my life would be an understatement. In 1999, Leonard’s book gave me permission to digital ministry even though everyone else thought I was crazy. 20+ years later, people still think I’m crazy, but that doesn’t mean I’m wrong.
HERE’S AN IDEA! Let’s get Leonard Sweet on a podcast, and talk with the Church Futurist about the future of the tmchurch. We’ll hit digital and metaverse church. We’ll talks politics and...
2022-12-1254 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP245: Your Digital Church’s Local Missions DepartmentFaith without works is dead! How many times have you heard that challenge towards the idea of digital churches and digital ministry? James 2 isn’t wrong, of course. But it doesn’t have to apply to Digital Churches. “Jeff, how do you serve people digitally?” Well, have we got an opportunity for you.
Realizing that digital is not the abandonment of gathering, but instead the opportunity to birth new gatherings… what if we applied that same philosophy to serving? What if we could equip our people to serve in their physical community, regardless of where they are located? W...
2022-12-0543 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP244: Starting a Barbecue ChurchBarbecue Church? Learn how Barbecue is being used to effectively connect with people that church buildings aren’t.
We’ve seen lots of unique expressions of church pop up, but Barbecue Assemblies of God? Jeff sits down with Andre Anderson, serial entrepreneur and lead pastor of Barbecue Church. Where’d the idea come from? How is barbecue being used to reach and disciple people today. Lean in as Jeff talks with Andre about how he started Barbecue Church, and how God is using it today.
2022-11-2850 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP242: Jeff’s Book on Churches in Virtual Reality Launches (and We Talk VRchat)Jeff published his book on churches in virtual reality! Download for FREE, or buy Kindle/Hard Copy from Amazon: http://thechurch.digital/vrbook
Well, the time has come. THECHURCH.DIGITAL and Leadership Network is happy to announce the publishing of VR and the Metaverse Church, Jeff’s first book. Telling the stories of the innovation (and the innovators) in virtual reality, Jeff moves beyond the novelty of the technology, instead exploring in detail the missional opportunities the church has engaging in virtual reality communities like AltspaceVR, or VRchat. Which brings us to this podcast. While we’re celeb...
2022-11-1453 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP240 - Jonathan Song and Churchome’s Pastor ChatPASTOR OVER TEXT?
There are plenty of ways to pastor someone digitally, through Zoom or even through Avatars in virtual reality. But text-only? Surely there’s some difficulty in that environment.
Enter Jonathan Song, Director of Pastor Chat at Churchome. Churchome has leaned heavily into it’s mobile app, even to the point of pastoring people around the country via chat/text messaging.
DOES IT WORK?
Does it work? Does caring for a soul work via text messaging? Jonathan’s got the inside scoop and examples of how he (and his staff and volunteers) are regularly pastoring people nationally using textin...
2022-10-3150 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP239: Global Research Surrounding Digital DiscipleshipGET THE INSIDE SCOOP
What does Digital Discipleship look like? Get the inside scoop on Sprout Digital’s 2022 Digital Discipleship Research Report with Jared & Ann Roth.
ONE OF THE MOST DOWNLODED PODCASTS
In one of the most-downloaded podcasts in The Church Digital Podcast history, Jared and Ann Roth shared their passion for the digital church. Retired co-pastors and denominational leaders, the Roths started Sprout Digital, a research company passionate about the digital methods of church and discipleship.
THE DIGITAL CHURCH RESEARCH REPORT
In 2021, On an earlier episode of The Ch...
2022-10-241h 04
The Church Digital PodcastEP238: DAOs, NFTs and DecentralizationARE DAOS AND NFTS LEGIT?
As the Church looks to Blockchain & Crypto, are DAOs and NFTs legit? Are these gimmicks, or is there a future for the church in the new technologies? Are NFTs legitimate, or is this a gimmick? In a recent Digital Church Network Roundtable we dug into the legitimacy of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Part two in the series, we’ll be exploring the idea of DAOs and NFTs.
ARE THERE LEGITIMATE MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES HERE?
Kingdom tools? To find out, we’re bringing in decentralized church experts Jon Dengler and Jason Duke...
2022-10-171h 18
The Church Digital PodcastEP237: How to Turbo Charge Your Digital Outreach for FreeGET YOUR CHURCH SIGNED UP FOR HE GETS US, AND GET 12 MONTHS FOR FREE... http://thechurch.digital/hegetsus
One of the largest Christian Technology Companies in America, GLOO has been helping churches figure out how to better use data. Recently, GLOO has focused on a national marketing campaign called “He Gets Us.” These ads, run online as well as other ad channels, have been un-earthing spiritual explorers and connecting them to partnering churches for relationship and even discipleship.
EMBRACING A DIGITAL DISCIPLESHIP PROCESS
Talk about doing something different to connect with different people! The...
2022-10-1044 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP235: Christ-Centered Recovery with Nate GraybillChrist-Centered Recovery is so important in digital and metaverse spaces, so why are churches hesitant to do Christ-Centered Recovery digitally?There is an incredible opportunity digitally to offer Christ-Centered Recovery, yet very few organizations offer recovery in digital- or metaverse- spaces. Churches are looking for the opportunity. Digital Church Network is excited to explore the topic of Christ-Centered Recovery and draw attention to the need and inspire those looking to meet the need.Opening up this conversation is Nate Graybill from Watermark Church in Dallas, TX. As Director of Re:generation, a Christ-Centered Recovery system...
2022-09-261h 00
The Church Digital PodcastEP234: Michael Beck & The Rural, Digital ChurchRURAL CHURCHES HAVE STRUGGLED WITH TECHNOLOGY...
Is there an opportunity to do something different? Enter Michael Beck, one of the loudest voices in America towards fresh expressions. Michael is releasing a new book “Fresh Expressions of the Rural Church” where Michael and co-author Tyler Kleeberger discuss innovative ideas surrounding the Rural Church.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF DIGITAL IN A RURAL CHURCH?
What is the role of digital in a rural church? Is it possible to use the scalability of digital in simpler environments? How can digital discipleship complement what’s happening in physic...
2022-09-1950 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP233: Patrick O'Connell, Missional Imagination & The Digital ChurchDOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT WILL HELP US REACH DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
Fortunately, God has equipped us with imagination, allowing us an opportunity to come up with different, creative ideas to connect with people. And, as a result of COVID, there is probably no better time in human history for imaginative ideas than right now.
THIS IS THE HEART BEHIND MISSIONAL IMAGINATION.
How can these ideas be used for kingdom purposes? How can we network or collaborate with others to make this Missional Imagination a reality? Let’s dig into this Missional Imagination conversation with Patrick O’...
2022-09-1246 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP231: Turning Tables, Jeff Gets Interviewed by Doug Bursch
TABLES ARE TURNED THIS WEEK.
Jeff is getting interviewed by Pastor and Author Doug Bursch. Virtually complete strangers, Jeff and Doug meet for the first time in this podcast recording and discuss the challenges and obstacles of social media and digital church.
A FASCINATING AND HILARIOUS CONVERSATION.
Doug and Jeff talk about Doug’s book - Posting Peace, Why Social Media Divides Us and What We Can Do About It, applying some of Doug’s principles of Social Media into Digital Church overall.
Looking for insight on who this Jeff guy is? S...
2022-08-291h 06
The Church Digital PodcastEP230: Seacoast's Secret ProjectSeacoast gets it. To reach different people you have to do something different, and Seacoast is doing something different. What are they doing? Well, I don’t want to give it away here in the intro but...
Let’s just say the South Carolina megachurch is exploring a future model of church that I believe will be very popular in the months and years to come.
Vague enough for you? Dig into the podcast and discover what Seacoast is up to, and how you can experiment with this idea as well.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE...
2022-08-2257 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP229: Eric Metcalf, Apprenticing to Multiply Today's ChurchPart Two of this Apprenticing Roundtable will happen Tuesday, August 23rd, 7pm Eastern in a Digital Church Network LIVE Roundtable on Apprenticing. Bring questions and let's dig in. More info http://thechurch.digital/apprentice
THE NEGATIVE TREND CONTINUES IN 2022, AS ....
post-COVID churches are closing quicker than we can open them. In this decrease season, it is essential for our churches to multiply… even more so in digital space! Our digital and metaverse churches need to multiply to better capitalize on the opportunities available to reach a different type of person.
And, as Eric Metcalf says,
This is why it is so...
2022-08-1548 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP227: Lucas Pulley & Unique Expressions of ChurchIt was a quick throwaway line from Lucas Pulley with Metaverse Church NEXT… "We’re even doing Dungeons & Dragons Church!"
Wait, what? Dungeons and Dragons Church? Is that allowed?
Evidently, yes, it is allowed. Meet Andy Corson, a Bi-vocational minister with a unique history of creating unique expressions of Church. Preaching in a Bar? Doing bible studies for Dungeons & Dragons players in a game store? Andy has a heart to reach bikers, bar people and gamers for Christ, and has a history of creating unique expressions of church that are reaching people that our buildings typically don’t reach.
Dive into th...
2022-08-0153 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP226: Ezequiel Fattore & Hispanic Church OnlineWHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE IF YOUR CHURCH ACHIEVED GLOBAL REACH, DIGITALLY?
This is what Casa Church Miami is wrestling with. A Hispanic Church in the heart of Miami, Casa Church Miami saw it’s ministry expand broadcasting church services on social media, but online church services is not the endgame, but the beginning, of online ministry.
LET’S TALK WITH EZEQUIEL FATTORE, AND LEARN HOW CASA CHURCH MIAMI IS EXPANDING INTO LATIN AND SOUTH AMERICA DIGITALLY.
How is Casa Church expanding onto another continent using digital ministry? What does it look like for Casa Church to impact physical lives acro...
2022-07-2548 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP225: LMichelle Salvant & The Opportunities of an Digital African American ChurchCAN AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCHES BE EFFECTIVE IN DIGITAL MINISTRY?
Coming out of COVID, what is the role of digital? This is a challenge for many of today’s churches, including African-American Churches. Typically, African-American churches have struggled technologically, but having learned in the COVID season how to do digital ministry, is there an opportunity for an African-American church to continue digital ministry post-COVID?
LET’S TALK AFRICAN-AMERICAN DIGITAL MINISTRY WITH LMICHELLE
For the conversation we’re bringing in LMichelle Salvant. One of the early voices in Augmented Reality, LMichelle is active with Higher Dimension Church...
2022-07-181h 00
The Church Digital PodcastEP224: Taylor McCall & How a Decentralized Microchurch Impacts the CityAlright. This is one of these conversations where we probably won’t put our technology hat on. We’re not talking some new technique or process for digital ministry. Instead, we’re going to dive deep into microchurch.
LET’S BETTER UNDERSTAND MICROCHURCH STRATEGY, AND HOW IT CAN REACH THE CITY.
As we look at Decentralized Microchurches, we see an immense opportunity to reach people digitally… utilizing digital community in the same way that physical microchurches are reaching to their community. The potential of a microchurch is far more than just doing a neighborhood bible study, as Taylor...
2022-07-111h 00
The Church Digital PodcastEP221: Jay Kranda & the Decentralized ChurchGive to DigitalChurch.Network - http://digitalchurch.network/give
SADDLEBACK IS REACHING A DIFFERENT TYPE OF PERSON THROUGH THEIR EXTENSION CAMPUSES
Even some physical churches are learning that they reach a different type of person through different methods. This is the heart behind Saddleback’s Extension Campuses. Through multiple revisions in recent memory, the giga-church Saddleback has been exploring the idea of operating as a microchurch, struggling to figure out a model of operation that can operate through a decentralized framework that empowers people to have the freedom to minister in their context.
Th...
2022-06-2051 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP220: Brianna Heida, Overcoming Medical Issues, and the Strength of WeaknessDIGITAL CHURCHES ARE REACHING PEOPLE WITH HEALTH ISSUES
We talk about how Digital Churches reach different types of people. This week we’re talking about Painted Prayers, a creative, digital expression of church that’s found a way to reach a different type of person. Brianna Heida planted Painted Prayers to reach creative people. As an artist, Brianna was woven many creative aspects into her church as well as the church’s creative process. A year or so into the church, the experiment of Painted Prayers has gone far to connect with a creative audience.
Throug...
2022-06-1348 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP219: Michael Beck, Missional Imagination, & Following the Holy SpiritTHE CHALLENGE OF CHURCH INNOVATION & HUMILITY
What if what the church needs isn't more of the same. What if it really needs something different. The challenge of church disruption, of innovation even, can be couched in two different mindsets. One is a prideful innovation, one where we know what's best for know what's best for a person, and pridefully lead the person or persons in the way that we think best. The second, though is a humble innovation, one that is led by the Spirit. One that acknowledges that He is, and that we are not.
2022-06-0658 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP218: Dave Ferguson, Digital Missionaries, & the Power of Shared ExperiencesCan We Really Be Digital Missionaries?
This is the heart of the conversation with Dave Ferguson today. Dave, and his brother Jon, recently released a book B.L.E.S.S. which details how people can be a missionary in physical space… “Begin with Prayer, Listen, Eat a Meal Together, Serve, Share Jesus”… Recently the question was asked: Can we do the BLESS practices digitally? Can BLESS become the framework for a Digital Missionary.
So, we invited in a bunch of digital pastors and digital planters and asked them the question: As you’re looking at BLESS, h...
2022-05-3055 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP217: Chris Caputo, Internet Addiction & Digital MinistryHow are We Supposed to Stay Healthy When We're Literally Ministering in Addictive Spaces?
Internet Addiction is actually a thing. So wait, we're trying to do ministry, we're trying to be the church, in digital- and metaverse- spaces... and evidently these areas are addictive. How do we do ministry in areas that can damage ourselves? How do we minister to those that are damaged? The more complex these technologies become, the more we need to respect and understand the scope of the battlefield. What does the Armor of God look like in digital & metaverse spaces.
...
2022-05-2356 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP216: Jon Ferguson: Can BLESS be Framework of a Digital Missionary?Could Everyone in Your Church Become a Digital Missionary?
What if your Physical-, Digital-, or Metaverse- Church used Digital as the training ground to release Digital Missionaries? What if we utilized the strength of digital to train, activate and release people to reach their circle of influence physically, digitally, or even in the Metaverse? Maybe, just maybe, digital can provide the spiritual purpose that many churches are missing beyond the content-driven Sunday mornings, and help us move from a knowledge-based Discipleship format to an obedience-based Discipleship framework.
As aggressive as everyone in your church becoming...
2022-05-1657 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP214: Mark MacDonald & Creating Your Church's Content StrategyWhat Does Your Church's Content Strategy Look Like?
What is the role of content in the church, and how can we maximize this content. Yes, our weekend services are content, but there is so much more our churches can do to create, and connect, to people digitally.
Let’s bring in Mark MacDonald into the conversation. Mark, author of the book Be Known for Something, has been helping churches master not only content creation, but also to maximize the impact by developing a content strategy.
Jeff & Mark Give You the Answers to Your Ch...
2022-05-021h 00
The Church Digital PodcastEP213: The EPIC Church ExperimentPastor, are we tired of pivoting yet? I'm sure this season has been exhausting, but as much as we have tried different things (that may or may not have worked) the important question at hand is simple: what lessons did we learn? In this COVID season, Pastor, it's easy to chalk up the past two years as a one time experiment and ignore the potential lessons along the way.
Can those lessons, though, help the pivoting? Can experimenting prevent the radical shift we've all felt in this COVID season? Let's talk with Kent Jacob, Lead Pastor at...
2022-04-2552 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP212: Steven Barr & 9 Non-Tech Pivots Your Church Needs To ConsiderGoes without saying, but it 's a hard season to run a church. So much pressure week in and week out. Interestingly, this isn't going to get any easier. Culturally we've talked about culture is shifting and will continue to shift as a result of the adoption of metaverse, and as a result we, the church, are at a crossroads.
Yes, all these pivots are exhausting, but the question is will these pivots help us be a better church?
Enter Steven Barr into the conversation. Steven, leader of Castmember Church, regularly deals with unbelievers on...
2022-04-1849 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP211: Digital Ministry Doesn't Have To Be WEIRD!Friend of Digital Ministry, ever notice how sometimes people look at you like you're WEIRD because you're involved in digital ministry? Because you stream services or get passionate about discipling people in digital or meta spaces?
We can relate.
Join us for Digital Ministry Doesn't Have to be Weird, LIVE! Jump in the live show, ask questions, get affirmed in your ministry and learn how to help others better understand how God is using digital, globally.
If you want. to catch up on what's going on with Tom, Chestly, Andy, Jon and the...
2022-04-111h 00
The Church Digital PodcastEP210: Chestly Lunday's Launchpad to Digital Ministry/ChurchIt's 2022. If there's ever a time to start something new, this is it.
Some of us are looking to launch digital or metaverse churches. Many of us are looking for ways to relaunch or rejuvenate our online ministries or campuses... and have we got the roadmap for you.
We're sitting down with DigitalChurch.Network's Chestly Lunday, and talking about what it looks like to launch a digital ministry or church. Interested in planting a digital/decentralized church, or even an established church looking to better understand the nuances of digital... this is a conversation you're...
2022-04-0454 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP209: Jared Hughes & The Bi-vocational Approach to Digital MinistryThere's a new type of Pastor coming, who's engaging in a different type of ministry. It's funny. I'm not actually sure how "new" this really is, but as the "great resignation" moves into church space, we're seeing more and more Pastors transition to a bi-vocational or co-vocational approach to ministry. Truthfully, even more exciting than this is the new wave of ministers, as the priesthood of all believers is embracing this new digital/decentralized model of church, allowing for different types of leaders to reach different types of people in different environments. Taking advantage of this decentralized model, lay...
2022-03-2852 min
The Church Digital PodcastSeason 3, EP208: Dr. John Harris, Jared Hughes, and Reaching the De-Churched, DigitallySeason 3 is going strong, as we continue to feature the Humble Disruptors of Digital and Meta Churches. To kick it off, we're talking with two lead pastors of Digital Churches...
The US church has lost 25% of attenders over the past 20 years. Many churches are reporting 50-60% pre-COVID attendance is back in the building. 43% of active church attenders do not strongly trust their church leaders. We are seeing a movement in the US, a movement of de-churched people. Let's talk about it.
Who are these de-churched people? Are there common characteristics or traits to consider? Why...
2022-03-211h 10The Church Digital PodcastEP207: Jeff Reed & The State of the Digital Church AddressWe're kicking off Season 3 with The Church Digital Podcast this week, talking about the State of the Digital Church, and from where I sit, we are looking good! Season 3 with the podcast is going to delve into the humble disruptors that are continuing to pave the way for digital, meta, and phygital churches globally.
Want to know what I am really excited about? Check out the podcast, and then swing over to http://digitalchurch.network/joinfam
ON THE SHOW
Host: Jeff Reed
THECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.Network
Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // YouTube
2022-03-1420 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP206: Metaverse Church 101, or Jeff Takes Over His Own PodcastSo, way back in January (seems like eons ago) THECHURCH.DIGITAL started a podcast network, and it's been a blast bringing the team together, and featuring them over the past month on The Church Digital Podcast. If you want. to catch up on what's going on with Tom, Chestly, Andy, Jon and the Pocket Pulpit team, check out http://thechurch.digital/podcast
But life goes on, and we finally get back to normal. Well, almost. This is the last week of the Podcast Takeover season but this time it's me taking over my own podcast. Within the...
2022-03-071h 09
The Church Digital PodcastEP205: Andy Mage, Gamer Culture, and Breaking the Fifth Wall TakeoverA people group unto themselves, gaming culture is taking over. From video game consoles, to computer games, mobile games, tabletop games, card games, there is an expansive community centered around gamers... and we haven't even talked about streaming or the metaverse yet!
As digital pastors and planters, we need to better understand this culture if we hope to reach it. Which is why I love this conversation right here. Two of my favorite people are jumping into this conversation. Andy Mage is taking over The Church Digital Podcast, featuring his new show Breaking the Fifth Wall. And...
2022-02-281h 02
The Church Digital PodcastEP204: Which Platform is Right for Your Church - The Chestly Lunday Experience TakeoverI first met Chestly early in the COVID season. He was working at a Church in Student Ministry, but had some passionate ideas centered around digital ministry. In the time that followed, Chestly's desire to see people be discipled digitally increased. Chestly launched KingCity Church, which became one of the foundational blocks for the Digital Church Network.
The Chestly Lunday Experience is an incredible experience exploring ministry for digital ministry through the prevailing/established model as well as the digital church planting. Through dynamic interviews with church and business influencers, as well as a creative coaching approach...
2022-02-211h 08
The Church Digital PodcastEP203: Social Media, Holiness, and the Pocket Pulpit Podcast TakeoverIt's time for some new voices in Digital Church. It's been said recently (on Twitter) that "listening" is the new "reading", and I've loved in this recent season listening to the Digital Pastors and Ministers on the front lines. In this season the Church has grown so much in understanding what digital can be, and I have loved hearing some voices that honestly I hadn't heard before.
Sarah & Hector are two of those voices for me. These two combine regularly to make up the Pocket Pulpit Podcast. The digital ministry duo live on different sides of the...
2022-02-141h 16
The Church Digital PodcastEP202: Staff Soulcare, Jon Pyle, and Better on the Inside TakeoverConfession hour here on The Church Digital Podcast. I say something in this podcast that I've not publicly admitted to in maybe twenty years. So listen in, but let's be honest for a minute. Working and/or Volunteering for a church can be an incredible rewarding job. But if we're honest, it can also suck the soul right out of you. This is why I love talking with our guest here, Jon Pyle. He admits there's a problem, and is working to help people, well, be better on the inside.
We're on Week Two of The Church...
2022-02-071h 16
The Church Digital PodcastEP201: Guest Engagement, Tom Pounder, & The TCD Sidekick Podcast TakeoverSo THECHURCH.DIGITAL is rolling out it's Podcast Network, and I gotta tell you, I'm excited about the Content Creators we're platforming here on The Church Digital Podcast Network. Over the next month The Church Digital Podcast is getting taken over! We'll be featuring one of our Network Associates each week for the next five weeks, giving you, listening audience, a taste of the different nuances featured on TCD Podcast Network.
Right off the bat, we're featuring Tom Pounder & The TCD Sidekick Podcast. Tom is a veteran to digital ministry, blogging and podcasting on digital church FOR...
2022-01-3140 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP199: So What's Going On with Jeff & THECHURCH.DIGITAL2021 brought a lot of changes, which brings opportunities in 2022.
So, here we are. THECHURCH.DIGITAL, in an attempt to better equip churches that are interested in expanding their ministry in digital and meta spaces, is rolling out... well, you're just going to have to come watch the stream with Jeff when he announces the changes coming.
Complete Show Notes Available at THECHURCH.DIGITAL.
2022-01-1720 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP085: Doug Parks, Church as Platform, and Moving Beyond the Institutional ModelWhat can we, the Church, learn from Uber? AirBNB?
We’re 100+ days into this COVID thing. Our buildings aren’t getting much usage. In some areas (like where I am in Florida) we’re actually worse now than ever. In that same vein, I had a pastor tell me recently, “Jeff, we really can’t pause the ministry of the Church any longer. We’ve been in slow motion since COVID started, and we’ve got to ramp up again.”
I love the idea of the Church doing ministry in this season, and while the perceived techno...
2020-07-1353 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP057: Heredes Ribeiro - Easter Services Church Online OnlyEvidently, even the Easter Bunny has to worry about Social Distancing.
So, have you come to the realization yet that Easter is only going to be online yet? Or are you still holding out hope that the world will somehow miraculously solve a global pandemic in the next couple weeks?
It's time to embrace the facts. Easter is going to be online. What we do with Easter in the midst of Coronavirus? How do we pivot? How do we prepare? How are we effective? For this conversation Jeff and Rey bring in an old friend...
2020-03-2755 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP055: Stadia & Virtual OfficingThe Church [Office] has left the building as well. But how do we office, how do we as a church staff function digitally? This is the heart of today's conversation. And we brought in experts: Janie Mehaffey and Heidy Tandy.
Janie and Heidy work with Stadia Church Planting, a 100% virtual office company with 50+ employees scattered across 20+ states. How do you lead people when they're not gathered physically? How do you keep vision aligned? In this Coronavirus season, how do you put boundaries in place for workplace and family? These are great questions, and this podcast brings you...
2020-03-231h 00
The Church Digital PodcastEP053: Stadia & How The Church Can Survive Coronavirus Culture"Reducing large gatherings." - President Trump said it in his broadcast Wednesday night. Whether Coronavirus gets to a full-fledge pandemic here in America, we are seeing the effects culturally. Virtually, all of us are on lockdown at this point. What's next?
Here's our reality. Our world, our culture is being impacted by Coronavirus. How is your church responding? Church Online is part of the solution for your Coronavirus problem. Let’s discover how.
Joining Jeff is Greg Nettle, President of Stadia Church Planting, Ben Cachiras from Mountain Christian Church, and Nathan Hawkins, from Stadia in a...
2020-03-141h 18
The Church Digital PodcastEP052: Coronavirus & Preparing for EmergenciesWhether coronavirus is a legitimate fear or not is not the topic of conversation here. Fact is, we face all sorts of city-wide emergencies on a regular basis. Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Earthquakes, Bitter Cold... Institutional churches face challenges like this on a regular basis in situations that prevent them from gathering.
So what's the plan? How would your church respond in a situation where you weren't able to gather? It's 2020. You should probably have a plan.
That's where we are with this podcast. Whether coronavirus is a thing or not isn't the point. Your church needs...
2020-03-091h 03
The Church Digital PodcastEP050: Biblical Function of a Digital-Only Church, Part 1Can a digital-only expression of church hold up to the Biblical standard of a church? This is the question that we, here at The Church Digital and Stadia Church Planting, are wrestling with. Can you create community online? Sure! Can you worship? Of course! Can you pray digitally? We do all the time... can you operate as a church exclusively in digital space?
Therein lies the topic of the podcast, as we're bringing in a panel of guests from around the country to ask the rather complicated question: Can a digital-only expression of church hold to the...
2020-02-241h 15
The Church Digital PodcastEP048: Mike Christian & the Global, Missiological Impact of Church OnlineWhat if we ran Church Online not like a Pastor would run a church, but like a missionary would run a missional movement. Crazy idea, I know. But that's really what we set out to do through Christ Fellowship Miami years ago. To that end, we're introducing Mike Christian to The Church Digital Podcast today.
Mike worked with Jeff over at Christ Fellowship Miami as the Online Small Groups director. Mike was a vital part of Christ Fellowship's Online Strategy of Groups and Microchurch movement. The effectiveness of the movement was grounded in a simple-to-say, hard-to-execute philosophy...
2020-02-101h 11
The Church Digital PodcastEP046: Matt Welty & Creating Community via Mobile AppCan a mobile app create community? Most people would accuse the mobile app of tearing down community, at least physical community. But can the mobile app create community? Maybe the better question is how can the Church of 2020 leverage mobile to complement their already existing strategy?
Enter Matt Welty, Pastor of Technology at Crossroads Church based in Cincinnati. A large multi-state multisite church, Crossroads, spends a lot of energy is utilizing the mobile app to not just communicate to a person, but to leverage the tools to create community that COMPLEMENT their physical campuses and not COMPETE...
2020-02-0358 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP044: Jate Earhart & Constructing a Digital ChurchThis Episode of The Church Digital Podcast may challenge some established norms. If so, that’s cool. They probably need to be challenged. A small, but growing number of physical churches are finally seeing that community can be created in virtual spaces, and now more than ever churches are currently operating small groups online. However, church today views these small groups as complementary to the physical ministry of the church (primarily which happens during that one-hour-on-Sunday service).
Enter Jate Earhart. Jate is no stranger to the podcast, as we talked about his online discipleship ministry for video ga...
2020-01-201h 01
The Church Digital PodcastEP042: Church Online Cohort // The BeginningOne of the things that I (Jeff) love about Church Online is that we are basically learning about all of this, together. Big churches, small churches, traditional churches, charismatic churches… we’re all exploring this same space of being church, digitally. The best part is instead of being territorial, we work together and learn together.
Some of the happiest times I’ve had in the past year is sitting at a coffeehouse or restaurant with ministry people, and just learning from each other’s experience. This is the experience that we’re bringing to you with The Church Dig...
2020-01-061h 10
The Church Digital PodcastEP041: Six Lessons Learned from 2019's THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST2019 has come and gone, and with it, 40 podcasts recorded on the many different facets of Church Online. Each podcast offering many lessons and insights into how to utilize Church Online more effectively for your church.
With so many lessons, Rey and Jeff figured this was a great chance to review the year and pick out our highlights!
Did you miss some of these podcasts? Go back and catch some of these lessons to better prepare you for 2020.
COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT THECHURCH.DIGITAL
2019-12-3035 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP040: Daniel Herron & The Robloxian Christians, or doing Gen Z Church in a Video GameI (Jeff) used to consider myself innovative. Then I met Daniel. While most kids were running away from church, Daniel at age 11 was trying to figure out how to plant a church in a video game platform known as Roblox, and over eight years later his church has impacted over 24,000 lives. Even today, as a 19 year old college student, Daniel is still making strides with how to grow and stabilize his Robloxian Church.
Looking for a fresh perspective on Gen Z? Check out The Church Digital Podcast.
COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT THECHURCH.DIGITAL
2019-12-2349 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP036 - Evan Connelly - Redefining Chat Hosts & CommunityI’m (Jeff) going to be honest here. I’ve never really enjoyed chat hosting. Maybe I never did it right. Recently, I had a conversation with Evan Connelly, where he went into detail about how the systems he was rolling out through his Church Online for Chat Hosts and I realized it was true… I never did do chat hosts right. So, we invited Evan on the podcast for a fresh perspective on how to do Chat, right, online.
COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT THECHURCH.DIGITAL
2019-11-2547 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP035: Brandon Catoe & Pop-Up ChurchI’ve been hearing whispers of this new concept in church. Jeff, you got to talk to these guys. They’re doing Pop-Up Church. Honestly, I had no idea what Pop-Up Church was? My best imagination was something involving Ego Waffles. So, I called a friend of a friend of a friend, and eventually got in touch with Brandon Catoe, Pop-Up Pastor at Christ Fellowship West Palm Beach.
To my disappointment, Ego Waffles were not involved. What I did discover, though, is a new way to effectively launch and mature multisite campuses effectively… a new strategy utilizing Church Online to birth...
2019-11-1853 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP033: Rob Wegner & the Mission of MicrochurchI (Jeff) believe this to be true: In the future, bigger churches will continue to get bigger; but smaller churches will continue to get smaller. And that may not be a bad thing.
The mega churches will find a way to succeed. Despite recent attendance trends, the church-growth formulas will continue to succeed. There are people who will continue to connect with these larger, physical expressions of church. To reach different people, however, maybe we should be thinking about a different model.
This is where Micro-church comes in. Micro is a discipleship-oriented movement where the...
2019-11-041h 12
The Church Digital PodcastEP026: Tom Pounder in Apple, Innovation, & DiscipleshipRemember when Apple was an innovative company? Steve Jobs would be speaking at a keynote, flash that sly grin, and then say to the audience: “Oh, one more thing…” Those days are sadly behind us it would seem. For the entirety of my life, I’ve been Apple Fanboy #1, but after the presentation this September, I am willingly relinquishing my Fanboy status. I will no longer claim to be an Apple Apologist. In search to become the most cash-rich corporation in the world, they’ve lost some of the principles Apple was founded on, innovation.
Church, there’s a connecti...
2019-09-1632 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP024: Ken Schafer & The Challenge of Equipping Using Online TechnologiesChurch Online definitely has strengths and weaknesses, but the power to train and to equip someone is unparalleled. But why do we struggle with the concept of equipping and discipling someone using Online Technologies?
Enter personal friend, Ken Schafer, into the conversation. Ken works with churches around the country helping create equipping scenarios in physical environments, as well as, online… and I (Jeff) credit Ken as being one of those guys who years ago told me, “Jeff, you’re wrong” but years later now says, “Jeff, you’re right.”
So when did Ken see the light? What go...
2019-09-0340 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP022: Jeff's Mom & the Heart of Online GroupsI love hearing stories from people who have been impacted by Church Online. Sometimes it feels like the stuffy shirts and the academics argue about what “church” can and can’t be, meanwhile normal people are just doing it.
Thus the point of this week’s podcast. Linda has been leading online small groups for about three years now. While we’ve been sitting around whether Church Online is legitimate on this podcast, Linda’s been busy creating Biblical Community each week, Online.
Oh, did I mention that Linda is MY MOM? Proud of LINDA REED (my mom...
2019-08-1944 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP020: Jeff Moore & The Strategy of DiscipleshipWe’ve talked a lot about Church Online and the potential power that it has to be a strategic force for the church. Today’s church online has many obstacles to overcome. Arguably, in today’s culture, so does the church.
The church has an opportunity to create a new ministry model tapping into some biblical truths. After all, there’s nothing new under the sun, right? The issues of today’s Church Online, and largely the Church overall, were written a couple thousand years ago in the Bible. Create Disciples.
How do we do this today...
2019-08-0553 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP014: DJ Soto & Planting a Church in Virtual RealityHere's my question: "Can 'church' work in virtual reality?" To be honest, I (Jeff) went in a skeptic. To find out the truth, we interviewed DJ Soto, the first Church Planter in Virtual Reality, for a conversation on the theology of Virtual Reality. Midway thru the interview, I realized that this was completely the wrong question to be asking. God moves in virtual reality, and DJ's got the stories... the testimonies... to show it!
So, seriously, how can Virtual Reality create disciples? Listen to the interview and find out.
COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AVAILABLE AT THECHURCH.D...
2019-06-2452 min
The Church Digital PodcastEP013: Jate Earhart & Creating Disciples While Playing Video GamesLove video games? Love discipleship? Sharing your faith? Thinking outside the box? This is your episode.
Until Jate Earhart, I (Jeff) don't think I've ever seen the words "discipleship" and "video game" in a sentence together. Jate, in his 20s, runs a video game ministry called Love Clan that disciples those involved to share their faith, encouraging those engaged to not only evangelize, but to disciple, on-going relationships for Christ. Powerful stuff right?
My favorite part of the episode is talking innovation. While Jate works at a church, his ministry is not directly supported or...
2019-06-1756 min