Interesting, yes? I would love to hear your thoughts. Reply to this email and let me know what you think!
While we're at it, let me share with you another insight from "Out On The Edge":
“It is easy to confuse core values with cultural practices. On December 17, 1994 Ginghamsburg Church moved from our tiny campus, where people had gathered since 1876, to a modern, 100-acre campus with 60,000 square feet of space. We joined the Media Reformation that weekend. The high-tech equipment was a novelty that none of us really knew how to use. For the first six months we were fortunate if the presentation was in focus! The opposition, rather muffled at first, grew louder – ‘This doesn’t seem like Ginghamsburg Church anymore. It looks like a slick production.’ And ‘We’ve changed. We are not committed to the same truths anymore!’ – Yes, we did change. We changed our methodology in worship for the sake of remaining true to our unchangeable core value: unchurched people matter to God (Luke 15:4)!”
As we explore the edges of digital discipleship, things might get a little weird. Referring specifically to the emerging metaverse, even society at-large can only speak in theoretical terms. But what I know is this – behind every virtual avatar or Discord comment thread is a real person. Our methodologies will always change, but our core value to reach unchurched people remains as strong as ever.
If you have a nudge to join the rest of us on the digital frontier, the first step is to READ THIS and join our Discord server. Then, if you’re interested, contact me about setting up an experience in VR (we own 7 Meta Quest 2 headsets thanks to a research grant from the Texas Methodist Foundation).
If the digital discipleship thing ain’t your cup-o-tea, then double down on reaching the unchurched in physical ways… either way you swing it, just don’t forget the poor (Galatians 2:10).
Love Regardless,
Dan
