The Church Digital Podcast

Faith 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? What if digital church could impact single moms, sex trafficking, foster care and battle hunger in communities across the planet!? Enter Panos and Robert from One More Child, an organization who is decentralizing training that is set up to help churches like yours move our digital consumers to a place of serving in their community. Let’s start to explore the idea of using our digital church or digital ministry to create missional connections and service opportunities globally using digital. Dive into this podcast with Jeff and One More Child, and let’s start serving the community via digital!

Barbecue 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.

Tis the season to get stressed out, amiright? So many departments coming together. So many volunteers serving with all their heart. The standards are set high for this year’s Christmas Services (happening on a Sunday this year BTW.) But how do you manage the creative tensions? How do you get people to work together. What does it look like to get people to focus towards an aligned direction, often meaning they would need to set aside their own desires? This is how it often feels working at a Church in Christmas (or Easter for that matter.) But it doesn’t have to be. To this end we’re bringing in Ben Stapley to the conversation. His 17th Christmas working for the church, Ben has navigated this tension for a while, and knows how to not only manage the tension but thrive in it. So jump in the podcast, and learn not just how to survive Christmas, but how to create a healthy culture that will help you survive all 52 weeks in the year!

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 celebrating VR and the Metaverse Church, we are also digging into the “wild wild west” of virtual reality… VRchat! Talking with Stewart Freeman, Director of Cornerstone VR’s VRchat Campus, (and a person of peace in VRchat) we’re doing a deep dive into this controversial virtual world. So, listen to the podcast, and grab a copy of Jeff’s book over at http://thechurch.digital/vrbook

Engagement: A Digital Missionary/Volunteer Structure for He Gets Us He Gets Us sounds like an incredible idea, but it can certainly seem overwhelming. How can your church effectively set up He Gets Us to be effective for ministry? What role should Alpha play? How do we structure volunteers? Jump on this livestream where Jeff will literally whiteboard a strategy for churches like yours to engage like never before. Looking for a Playbook for Digital Missionaries? Look no further. If you've not signed up for He Gets Us yet, get 12 months of He Gets Us, FOR FREE, at http://thechurch.digital/hegetsus

PASTOR 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 texting tools… oh and don’t sleep on some of the decentralized conversations we’re having here as well. Hang out with Jeff & Jonathan as they’re talking Pastor Chat on this episode of The Church Digital Podcast SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST If you're enjoying this episode, subscribe for free using your favorite podcast app below: Apple Podcasts | RSS Feed | Anchor | Overcast | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Google Play ON THE SHOW Host: Jeff ReedTHECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.NetworkTwitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: Jonathan Song Instagram //LinkedIn RESOURCES Give to DigitalChurch.Network - http://digitalchurch.network/give DIGITAL CHURCH NETWORK COMMUNITY: https://digitalchurch.network/joinfam  Missional Imagination, Asynchronous Communities, & Digital Church

GET 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 Church Digital Podcast, the Roths shared with us their Digital Church Research Report, detailing the findings of a new model of church… digital churches! In 2022, the Roths have expanded their research, detailing the idea of Digital Discipleship, and how discipleship is impacting physical, digital, metaversal and even gaming churches.   SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST If you're enjoying this episode, subscribe for free using your favorite podcast app below: Apple Podcasts | RSS Feed | Anchor | Overcast | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Google Play ON THE SHOW Host: Jeff ReedTHECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.NetworkTwitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: Jared RothFacebook// LinkedIn Guest: Ann Roth Facebook// LinkedIn RESOURCES Give to DigitalChurch.Network - http://digitalchurch.network/give DIGITAL CHURCH NETWORK COMMUNITY: https://digitalchurch.network/joinfam  PODCAST: The Church Digital Podcast - https://be.thechurch.digital/blog/ep197-jason-shepperd-developing-a-microchurch-netw

ARE 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 Dukes as we explore how DAOs and NFTs could be the tools of the future, decentralized church. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST If you're enjoying this episode, subscribe for free using your favorite podcast app below: Apple Podcasts | RSS Feed | Anchor | Overcast | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Google Play ON THE SHOW Host: Jeff ReedTHECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.NetworkTwitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: John DenglerFacebook// LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: Jason Dukes RESOURCES Give to DigitalChurch.Network - http://digitalchurch.network/give DIGITAL CHURCH NETWORK COMMUNITY: https://digitalchurch.network/joinfam  PODCAST: The Church Digital Podcast - https://be.thechurch.digital/blog/ep197-jason-shepperd-developing-a-microchurch-network  PODCAST: Being a Church in the Marketplace - https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-goal-leadership-podcast-31000280/episode/being-the-church-in-the-marketplace-33021791 WEBSITE: The Well - http://www.welltampa.com/p/about-wel.html 

GET 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 He Gets Us campaign is an incredible opportunity for lots of churches, if not especially for those embracing a digital discipleship process. EXPLORE HOW CHURCHES LIKE YOURS CAN MAXIMIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY Learn more about the GLOO campaign, and explore how churches like yours can maximize the opportunity of He Gets Us… right here on The Church Digital Podcast.   SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST If you're enjoying this episode, subscribe for free using your favorite podcast app below: Apple Podcasts | RSS Feed | Anchor | Overcast | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Google Play ON THE SHOW Host: Jeff Reed THECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.Network Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: Brad Hill Twitter // Facebook // LinkedIn Guest:  Jason Vanderground Facebook // LinkedIn // Website Guest:  Bill McKendry Twitter // Facebook //

ARE 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 Dukes as we explore how DAOs and NFTs could be the tools of the future, decentralized church. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST If you're enjoying this episode, subscribe for free using your favorite podcast app below: Apple Podcasts | RSS Feed | Anchor | Overcast | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Google Play ON THE SHOW Host: Jeff ReedTHECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.NetworkTwitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: John DenglerFacebook// LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: Jason Dukes RESOURCES Give to DigitalChurch.Network - http://digitalchurch.network/give DIGITAL CHURCH NETWORK COMMUNITY: https://digitalchurch.network/joinfam  PODCAST: The Church Digital Podcast - https://be.thechurch.digital/blog/ep197-jason-shepperd-developing-a-microchurch-network  PODCAST: Being a Church in the Marketplace - https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-goal-leadership-podcast-31000280/episode/being-the-church-in-the-marketplace-33021791 WEBSITE: The Well - http://www.welltampa.com/p/about-wel.html 

Christ-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 developed by Watermark Church, Nate has seen the benefit of recovery digitally, as Re:generation has been used by Watermark and other churches digitally. Let’s talk about the opportunities (and challenges) of recovery in digital- and metaverse spaces, in this Roundtable. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST If you're enjoying this episode, subscribe for free using your favorite podcast app below: Apple Podcasts | RSS Feed | Anchor | Overcast | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Google Play ON THE SHOW Host: Jeff ReedTHECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.NetworkTwitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: Nate Graybillre:generation, Watermark Church, National DirectorLinkedIn RESOURCES For participants looking for resources: http://www.regenerationrecovery.org For churches looking to learn more about starting re:generation: http://www.watermarkresources.com For the re:generation Conference Sept 12-13 in Dallas: http://www.watermarkresources.com/conferences ABOUT NATE GRAYBILL Nate Graybill is the National Director and founder of Re:generation Recovery at Watermark Community Church in Dallas, TX. Nate found healing from pornography through Christ in 2000 and started a Celebrate Recovery ministry at Watermark in 2002. Four years later, Nate left his career in strategic planning and

RURAL 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 physical space? Let’s find out on this episode of The Church Digital Podcast. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST If you're enjoying this episode, subscribe for free using your favorite podcast app below: Apple Podcasts | RSS Feed | Anchor | Overcast | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Google Play ON THE SHOW Host: Jeff Reed THECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.Network Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: Michael Beck Facebook // Instagram // Website RESOURCES Give to DigitalChurch.Network - http://digitalchurch.network/give DIGITAL CHURCH NETWORK COMMUNITY: digitalchurch.network/joinfam Dr. Michael Beck's Website: https://michaeladambeck.com/ Find Dr. Beck's books on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Adam-Beck

DOING 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’Connell, Global Director of NewThing Network. NewThing specializes in collaboration, and the idea of unique expressions of church (physically and digitally) is right up their alley. The idea of Missional Imagination is the front door to NewThing’s Movement System, which is crucial to NewThing’s (and DCN’s) desire to start organic disciple-making movements! SO WHAT'S YOUR IDEA? What can God do with your Missional Imagination? Dive into this podcast with Patrick O'Connell and discover what God may have in store for you… here on The Church Digital Podcast. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST If you're enjoying this episode, subscribe for free using your favorite podcast app below: Apple Podcasts | RSS Feed | Anchor | Overcast | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Google Play ON THE SHOW Host: Jeff ReedTHECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.NetworkTwitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: Patrick O'ConnellLinkedIn RESOURCES Give to DigitalChurch.Network - http://digitalchurch.network/give DIGITAL CHURCH NETWORK COMMUNITY: digitalchurch.network/joinfam ABOUT PATRICK O'CONNELL Patrick O’Connell is the Director of NewThing. After graduating college and a stint in the

GET MORE INFORMATION ON CHURCH IN A VR BAR - http://churchinavrbar.com A SELF-PROCLAIMED "PASTOR AT THE BAR" Joey Santos has been on The Church Digital Podcast in the past, talking about his experiences doing church at a physical bar in Ohio. A self-proclaimed “Pastor at the Bar”, I wasn’t surprised in a recent conversation when Joey said, “Jeff, what would it look like to open a Bar in Virtual Reality and be the church in that space?” I wasn’t surprised but, I’ll admit, I got really excited. Church in a VR Bar is a bit away from reality, but I wanted you to hear the heart behind the idea of a VR Bar. Catch a vision for the VR Bar, and maybe find out the role you (and your church) can play… AND, THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING And, knowing us, this is only the beginning as we explore creating more shared experiences in virtual reality… only here on The Church Digital Podcast. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST If you're enjoying this episode, subscribe for free using your favorite podcast app below: Apple Podcasts | RSS Feed | Anchor | Overcast | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Google Play RESOURCES Church in a VR Bar - http://churchinavrbar.com Give to DigitalChurch.Network - http://digitalchurch.network/give DIGITAL CHURCH NETWORK COMMUNITY: digitalchurch.network/joinfam ABOUT JOEY SANTOS "One of my passions is to pour my life into helping the body of Christ to learn, develop, and grow in maturity of faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe in the power of one – one life committed to Jesus can make an enormous impact when connected to another life committed to Jesus. When those lives become connected with other lives by passion and vision, the power to impact our world with the love and message of Jesus grows exponentially. It all starts with one. Perhaps you are that one – I believe you can reach your full potential in Jesus."

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? Start with this podcast right here! SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST If you're enjoying this episode, subscribe for free using your favorite podcast app below: Apple Podcasts | RSS Feed | Anchor | Overcast | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Google Play ON THE SHOW Host: Jeff ReedTHECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.NetworkTwitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: Doug Bursch Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // Website RESOURCES Give to DigitalChurch.Network - http://digitalchurch.network/give

Seacoast 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 CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST If you're enjoying this episode, subscribe for free using your favorite podcast app below: Apple Podcasts | RSS Feed | Anchor | Overcast | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Google Play ON THE SHOW Host: Jeff ReedTHECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.NetworkTwitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: Ryan Scott Facebook // LinkedIn  Guest: Gabe DeWalk Instagram // LinkedIn RESOURCES Give to DigitalChurch.Network - http://digitalchurch.network/give DIGITAL CHURCH NETWORK COMMUNITY: digitalchurch.network/joinfam Missional Imagination, Asynchronous Communities, The Digital Church Video Seacoast Podcast launching in August ABOUT RYAN SCOTT Ryan is the Online Campus Pastor for Seacoast, a multi-site mega-church in the Carolinas. In 2010, Ryan joined Seacoast Church as a Worship Leader and later became the Ass

Part 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 important for our digital and metaverse churches to have apprentices This approach helps to intentionally focus on multiplying. In this season of infancy, when digital ministry is new and often misunderstood, successful digital churches need to apprentice in order to multiply. How do we multiply? What does apprenticing look like in digital and metaverse spaces? Let’s dig in with Eric Metcalf and find out here on The Church Digital Podcast. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST If you're enjoying this episode, subscribe for free using your favorite podcast app below: Apple Podcasts | RSS Feed | Anchor | Overcast | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Google Play ON THE SHOW Host: Jeff Reed THECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.Network Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: Eric Metcalf ABOUT ERIC METCALF Eric Metcalf serves as a coach for Courage to Lead, NewThing Global Executive Director and NewThing Chicagoland Director. He planted a church in the city of Chicago, launched NewThing’s Leadership Residency Program, directed NewThing and provided leadership to Community Christian Church’s Small Group Ministry. Eric has been married for 23 years to his beautiful wife Erin and has three incredible children: Joey (18), Lydia (17), and Max (14). RESOURCES Give to DigitalChurch.Network - http://digitalchurch.network/give DIGITAL CHURCH NETWORK COMMUNITY: digitalchurch.network/joinfam RPMS - Relationally Physically Mentally Spiritually Carl George - 9 Keys to effective small group ministry - https://amzn.to/3BAAQSc

HAVE YOU EVER GOTTEN ONE OF THOSE EMAILS WHERE... ...the prince of Nigeria is looking for some money in order to restore his kingdom? All he needs from you is $600,000 wired to one of his accounts, and once restored he will return your loan 10-fold. Well, maybe you’re brave enough to try this. I am not. That being said, there are other opportunities coming out of Africa that are worth your attention. HOW DOES A WOMAN FROM GEORGIA CONNECT WITH AFRICANS AND OTHERS GLOBALLY? Meet Anne Bosarge. Anne runs The Chapel Online, a Digital Church that is reaching people globally, including a very strong presence in Africa. So, how does a woman from Georgia connect with Africans and others globally? What does an intercontinental disciple making relationship look like, digitally? Let’s dig into how The Chapel Online works, and how effective Anne Bosarge and her team is at discipling people on a global scale through digital methods.  SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST If you're enjoying this episode, subscribe for free using your favorite podcast app below: Apple Podcasts | RSS Feed | Anchor | Overcast | Spotify | Pocket Casts | Google Play ON THE SHOW Host: Jeff ReedTHECHURCH.DIGITAL & DigitalChurch.NetworkTwitter // Facebook // Instagram // LinkedIn // YouTube Guest: Anne BosargeTwitter // Facebook // Instagram //LinkedIn  RESOURCES Give to DigitalChurch.Network -