Digital Religion scholar @heidiacampbell just released a summary of her 25 years of sociology research into #OnlineChurch. Some great takeaways for churches everywhere today.

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"Churches need to develop digital literacy and theological reflection on technology." @heidiacampbell

If your church needs an easy place to start, @ridgewaychris and I host the @DeviceVirtue podcast. Dip your toe in the water. We& #39;ll give you some thoughts to start with.
"Churches use technology because of opportunities it offers, but tech use also shapes churches’ identity." @heidiacampbell

What you do with technology will also do something to you. The change is mutual.
"Church media use informs how its mission is understood both internally and externally." @heidiacampbell

What is your church& #39;s mission? Tech doesn& #39;t just serve that mission. It shapes that mission.
"An online religious presence & involvement can solidify members’ investment in their offline faith community" @heidiacampbell

"the Internet is part of people& #39;s daily lives," so if your church isn& #39;t online it feels less a part of their daily lives.

Not being online has a cost.
"Religious worship online requires negotiation between traditional religious symbols & rituals & new understandings of spirituality facilitated by digital technology." @heidiacampbell

Just like we translate the Bible, the Internet is a language that churches must learn to speak.
"The type of online community that is most desired is that which creates and encourages relationships where Internet users feel valued." @heidiacampbell

What are pastors doing to help their church members feels valued online?
"People in online communities seek out others of shared faith, rather than simply sources of information" @heidiacampbell

Connection > Information

Online isn& #39;t any different from offline, it would seem. People want the same things.
"traditional understandings of community ... no longer reflect the way people actually live." @heidiacampbell

"Community" apart from the Internet is increasingly rare. "Religious community" will naturally include digital dimensions in the future.
"Online religious communities should be seen as a new sphere of connection, where the spirit or presented identity of a person may trump their embodied presence" @heidiacampbell

Whoa.
Dig in deeper to @heidiacampbell& #39;s top-notch research here. Lots of good stuff for churches to be thinking about right now and going forward.

https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/handle/1969.1/187806">https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/handle/19...
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