International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 6 Issue 7, November-December 2022 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

Digital Church: An Introduction

Matthew N. O. Sadiku1, Uwakwe C. Chukwu2, Abayomi Ajayi-Majebi3, Sarhan M. Musa1
1
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
2
Department of Engineering Technology, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC, USA
3
Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Central State University, Wilberforce, OH, USA

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Matthew N. O.

Digital church is a gathering of Christians facilitated through the use Sadiku | Uwakwe C. Chukwu | Abayomi
of online video stream, audio stream, and written messages. Its Ajayi-Majebi | Sarhan M. Musa "Digital
purpose is to have its member’s meet, connect, and practice their Church: An Introduction" Published in
International
religious beliefs online. Many churches now use websites, Facebook
Journal of Trend in
Live, YouTube, Google and Zoom to strengthen their digital
Scientific Research
presence, reach members and non-members, build the church, and and Development
expand the kingdom. A typical online church member can attend a (ijtsrd), ISSN:
Bible study, pray, worship, donate, attend live services, watch past 2456-6470,
services, etc. Digital churches are not going away after the pandemic. Volume-6 | Issue-7, IJTSRD52538
They are here to stay. This paper introduces the reader to digital December 2022,
church. pp.993-998, URL:
www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd52538.pdf
KEYWORDS: technology, digitalization, digital technology, digital
church, Internet church, online church, cyberchurch, online religion, Copyright © 2022 by author (s) and
analog church International Journal of Trend in
Scientific Research and Development
Journal. This is an
Open Access article
distributed under the
terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)

INTRODUCTION
The essential ingredients for a local church communities. Common examples of digital
community in the New Testament include the technology in churches:
following [1]: Live-streaming and recording church services
1. Spiritual engagement (Colossians 3:16) Meetings via Zoom or other virtual platforms
2. Preaching the Word (Hebrews 13:7) Church websites
3. Worship and prayer (1 Timothy 2:8) Digital giving
4. Evangelism (Acts of the Apostles 1:8) General use of social media platforms such as
5. Interpersonal responsibility (Romans 12) Facebook and Twitter
6. Inconvenient hospitality (Acts 4) Electronic newsletters
7. Institutional physicality (Matthew 26:26)
Digital technology represents a rich and challenging
Can we achieve all seven elements by doing church way of participating in God’s mission. Although the
online? These ingredients of community can be church has been using digital technologies for
divided into how they are best facilitated in a local decades, the COVID-19 global pandemic took digital
church as shown In Figure 1 [1]. adaptation to a new level. Due the pandemic, many
churches were compelled to use digital media to reach
Churches at all levels have been more hesitant to get
people. For church leaders, going digital meant far
involved in the digital world than other sectors. The
more than streaming Sunday services. Church
church is witnessing radical cultural changes in the
wake of the digital revolution. Today, churches are members needed a way to meet, engage, learn, give,
embracing digital technology and the trend has pray, and study Bible online. It is time that we ensure
accelerated as a consequence of the pandemic. Digital that the Church stays at the forefront of innovation
technology is helping churches to reach out to their and we reimagine the way we do church without ever

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD52538 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 7 | November-December 2022 Page 993
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
compromising what we believe. We must take the APPLICATIONS OF DIGITAL CHURCH
Great Commission seriously. We need to understand Free streaming services, affordable website platforms,
our role in God’s plan to help churches tell the world and online donation processors have made creating a
about what matters most. virtual, digital church a simple and exciting
possibility. The digital church has taken a step
WHAT IS DIGITAL CHURCH?
forward with the creation of applications. Common
In the past, the idea of an online or digital church (or
applications of the digital church are presented as
megachurch) was not common or respected. The
follows.
general public viewed many televangelists with scorn
and suspicion. Worship Online: Throughout history, worship has
been mediated through technology. Online forms
With the outbreak of COVID-19, churches were
forced to adapt to online worship. An example of of worship have only existed for a few decades.
However, the most noticeable change in church
traditional church is shown in Figure 2 [2]. Today’s
churches are virtual, online, digital, and tech-savvy. practices during the pandemic was the turn to
online platforms for worship. As the pandemic
Seven reasons why one should start a digital church
forced the church to go online, church leaders
service [3]:
were compelled to revisit age-old concepts of
1. Reaches people who cannot attend services
space, presence, participation, community, and
2. Strengthens relationships with parishioners
engagement with God and with one another in
3. Share inspiring videos
worship. Most of live-streamed services during
4. Allows people to re-experience services
the pandemic consisted of churches projecting
5. Encourages regular attendance
their offline services on digital platforms [5].
6. Encourages online donations
7. No downsides Digital Discipleship: Discipleship is one of the
reasons for the existence of the church. It is
Digital technology plays an important role in the
fulfilling the Great Commission, which is Jesus’
church of God. Looking for new avenue to continue
command to make disciples of all nations
worshiping together during the pandemic, many
(Matthew 28:18– 20). With the ubiquity of
church leaders moved services online. This gave rise
technology, there are new avenues for
to the “digital church.” Digital church refers to a wide
discipleship. We can use technology to help
variety of ways that Christian communities can use
church your members share their stories and
digital technologies such as Internet to facilitate their
testimonials [6]. An effective digital discipleship
religious activities, particularly prayer, preaching,
strategy ensures that your church reaches more
worship, and Bible studies. These Internet-based
people. It would be unwise not to take advantage
Christian communities are also known as "online
of mobile technology to spread the gospel.
churches," "Internet churches,” or cyberchurch. They
Having a digital discipleship strategy in the 21st
offer members and non-members an alternative to the
century is crucial. Paul mentioned his own
traditional physical meetings in a church building.
strategy when he said, “I have become all things
Most of today's digital churches grew out of
to all people so that by all possible means I might
traditional or brick-and-mortar churches. Church
save some”(1 Corinthians 9:22) [7].
members are now using websites, blogs, social media,
chatrooms, discussion boards, and other electronic Digital Evangelism: This is an essential
platforms to provide social connection, and share component of ministry today. It involves sharing
their faith. These digital tools allow believers to share the gospel through digital media. It is necessary
ideas about faith in new and creative ways [4]. because online communities are more important
Adding digital features to your church helps the than ever. It uses social media, mobile apps, and
church reach people as they are, where they are, websites. If your church evangelism program
online. relies on door-to-door evangelism, word of
Like other Internet users, Christians are increasingly mouth, pamphlets, sermons, and many other
using social networking sites. Social networking sites traditional marketing methods, it is time to
such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, have at diversify and join the digital evangelism
least on the surface rekindled our interest in phenomenon. The digital tools are good for telling
community and renewed our quest for meaningful stories and for advertising. There are seven main
categories for digital evangelism: Search Engine
connection. Social media platforms provide spaces in
Optimization, Social Media Evangelism, Content
which friendships can be formed and developed.
Evangelism, Email Evangelism, Mobile
Evangelism, Pay-per-Click, and Digital

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD52538 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 7 | November-December 2022 Page 994
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
Evangelism Analytics. Digital evangelism is the in ways that are mutually enriching. It is safe to say
future of church evangelism [8]. that more Christians are praising, worshiping,
praying, tithing, and studying Bible online than ever
Digital Marketing: Churches use digital
before.
marketing to reaching new people digitally.
Digital marketing allows churches and ministries Digital technology offers numerous opportunities to
to reach more people beyond their social media the contemporary church. These include corporate
reach. It employs digital tools such as social worship for the socially isolated, more targeted and
media, search engine optimization, and email effective equipping, more community-building, a
marketing for evangelism. It makes it easier for greater reach for the gospel, and stronger social
the church to create awareness and engagement influence. The church cannot afford to ignore these
both offline and online [9]. Some churches have God-given opportunities. In a digital church, we can
taken advantage of increased online activity and communicate more effortlessly, we can use time more
digital needs. They are looking to increase their efficiently, we can minister without expensive
online presence through advertising. They are buildings, we can reach more people, and we can
inviting people to join their online experience. build community with no geographical limitations
Google offers churches an opportunity to [12].A church app helps members to engage from
advertise for free. Through a combination of anywhere at anytime. Other benefits of digital church
technical capabilities and considerable expertise, include [13,14]:
church marketing has been able to help thousands 1. It keeps with the digital trend; everything will go
of churches and nonprofits of all sizes to online.
maximize their efforts and increase their digital 2. It saves time and energy.
impact. Having a strong local search presence is 3. It makes it easier for churches to grow in
so crucial for churches. Being found in Google membership.
local searches is a fundamental pillar of church 4. It increasing giving.
growth in this day and age. Since a secure 5. It creates online presence.
websites are preferred, it is crucial that your site 6. It offer convenience to those who unable to attend
uses HTTPS [10]. Every church needs an app an in-person church service.
since it is one of the most important pieces of 7. It helps Christians communicate their personal
church marketing software. For marketing religious and spiritual beliefs online.
purposes, church services can be streamed on 8. It allows church surfing, viewing sermons,
Facebook Live and YouTube, while Bible studies devotionals, music, and content from different
can be hosted on platforms like Zoom. For sources.
example, a sign in front of the Church of the 9. It helps people who are looking for answers, not
Living God promotes its Sunday morning service for church.
that is live streamed on Facebook, as shown in 10. It engages digital natives.
Figure 3 [11].
CHALLENGES
Other applications include digital signage, digital There has been some speculation with the idea of
ministry, online communion, digital communication, having church services within "virtual environments."
and digital poverty. The church needs to reflect on the implications (on
power, ministry, and trust) of the use of digital
BENEFITS
technology in church practice. The increasing use of
We are blessed by technologies that allow us to be the
the digital technology poses new ethical challenges
church like never before. The church has recognized
for the church. If digital technology can be used for
the real benefits of digital technology. Many church
manipulation church and collecting members’ data,
leaders have realized online presence is a wise
the church leaders should be careful in using it. Some
strategy for the long haul. Religious leaders, groups,
and individuals negotiate their presence within this claim that the Internet constitutes a different
new mediatized reality. They see the potential in the dimension that suspends the limitations of our bodily
Internet or “cyberspace” for fellowship, outreach, and existence. The Internet tends to suspend certain
evangelism. Social media can provide a means to bodily limitations and create new ones. Some suggest
deepen friendships. Access to the Internet opens up that the Internet poses a challenge to the authority of
Christian leaders. Individuals do not feel a sense of
endless opportunities for individuals to find
belonging which is common when attending
alternative worship services beyond the local church.
traditional church. There is digital divide creating two
Digital platforms enable leaders and laity worldwide
to engage in theologies and spiritualities found online

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD52538 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 7 | November-December 2022 Page 995
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
groups, the rich and the poor, on the basis of access, REFERENCES
or lack of access. [1] “Digital church in a lonely world – 7
Understanding the risks with digital technology is ingredients of church commitment,”
important. Although insurance is available for some https://www.barna.com/research/digital-church-
risks associated with digital technology, each community/
churches should also have policies and procedures in [2] “File:Digital church.jpg,” Wikimedia
place to manage these risks. The policies may include Commons, the free media repository,
the following [15]: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Digit
Copyright - ensure that you have the correct al_Church.jpg
permissions to use material. [3] K. Ensor, “Virtual church service – The
Data Distribution – take care any personal data is ultimate guide to digital worship,” July 2022,
distributed as intended following best practice https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/virtual-
guidance. church
Licenses – check that you have the correct [4] “Internet church,” Wikipedia, the free
licenses. encyclopedia,
Image permission – gain permission to use the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_church
images of people where necessary. [5] J. Kurlberg, N. Vo, and S. Afshari, “Lausanne
Social media policy – ensure that you have occasional paper: Being church in a digital
developed an overall social media policy. age,” https://lausanne.org/content/lop/lausanne-
Remote meetings – ensure that you are following occasional-paper-being-church-in-a-digital-age
Charity Commission guidance and the Church [6] B. Pritchett, “The danger of digital church
Representation Rules. without community,” August 2020,
Protection of equipment against loss, damage or https://outreachmagazine.com/resources/techno
theft. logy/58611-the-danger-of-digital-church-
without-community.html
Safety of clergy or other church officials who
may be working alone. [7] “4 Reasons every church needs an effective
digital discipleship strategy,” March 2022,
Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults
https://churchtechtoday.com/digital-
Protection against computer viruses and cyber- discipleship-strategy/
crime.
[8] N. Musonda, “Digital evangelism 2021: The
These unprecedented challenges facing the digital definitive guide,” June 2021,
church in the digital age provide unprecedented https://medium.com/@musondanm/digital-
opportunities. evangelism-2021-the-definitive-guide-
CONCLUSION c5b20af499d4
After the pandemic, several church leaders are [9] N. Musonda, “Digital marketing for churches
hesitant to continue online worship. Some leaders 2021| How to increase your reach and influence
have explored hybrid forms of online church as the online,” April 2021,
way forward. To put digital church back on the shelf https://www.delmethod.com/blog/digital-
is to ignore the greatest opportunity the church has marketing-for-churches
today to reach people. The reality is that operating the
church digitally is still necessary for many. People [10] “Digital church growth strategies for 2020,”
need online church more than ever before. In the April 2022,
future, as the number of digital natives increases, https://missionalmarketing.com/digital-church-
there will be a greater migration towards pure online growth-strategies-for-2020/
church communities. [11] E. Myong, “From collection plate to cashapp,
The digital age has opened up a new world for the black churches go digital to keep empowering
Church to connect with people and grow its their communities,” March 2021,
membership.The rise of digital church has effected https://www.keranews.org/news/2021-03-
the perceptions of the church. Many churches have 17/from-collection-plate-to-cashapp-black-
gone online for the first time. Digital church is here to churches-go-digital-to-keep-empowering-their-
stay in the 21st century. More information on digital communities
communication can be found in the books in [16-22].

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD52538 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 7 | November-December 2022 Page 996
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
[12] J. Sweetman, “A biblical reflection on the [17] J. Y. Kim, Analog Church: Why We Need Real
church as a digital community,” People, Places, and Things in the Digital Age.
https://www.qb.org.au/wp- InterVarsity Press, 2020.
content/uploads/2020/04/7-1-Biblical-
[18] D. Zsupan-Jerome, Connected Toward
Reflection-on-Digital-Church.pdf Communion: The Church and Social
[13] “Here's what to know about going digital at Communication in the Digital Age. Liturgical
your church,” August 2021, Press, 2014.
https://get.tithe.ly/blog/heres-what-to-know-
[19] E. Drescher, Tweet If You Heart Jesus:
about-going-digital-at-your-church
Practicing Church in the Digital Reformation.
[14] C. Nieuwhof, “12 Things Covid has taught the Church Publishing, Inc., 2011.
analog church about digital church,”
[20] H. A. Campbell and J. Dyer (eds.),
https://careynieuwhof.com/12-things-covid-
Ecclesiology for a Digital Church: Theological
has-taught-the-analog-church-about-digital-
Reflections on a New Normal. SCM Press,
church/
2022.
[15] “Digital technology and risks to your church,”
[21] H. Stähle, Russian Church in the Digital Era:
January 2021, Mediatization of Orthodoxy. Routledge, 2021.
https://www.ecclesiastical.com/risk-
management/church-digital-risks/ [22] S. A. Martin, Decoding the Digital Church:
Evangelical Storytelling and the Election of
[16] J. Wise, The Social Church: A Theology of
Donald J. Trump. The University of Alabama
Digital Communication. Moody Publishers, Press, 2021.
2014.

Figure 1 Essential ingredients for a local church community [1].

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD52538 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 7 | November-December 2022 Page 997
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470

Figure 2 A typical traditional church [2].

Figure 3 Sign in front of the Church of the Living God promotes its Sunday morning service that is
livestreamed on Facebook [11]

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD52538 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 7 | November-December 2022 Page 998