Yep, I said it. And I’ll stand by it.
There is no such thing as digital ministry.
This, from the person who’s job is to be the Digital Minister at The Riverside Church (though technically my title is “Minister of Digital Worship & Education”).
There is no such thing as digital ministry. Because it’s all just ministry. It’s not like digital ministry is for some people and then other pastors just do “regular ministry.” We are all called to do ministry where we are, when we are, present with the people we are called to serve. And in the world we live in today where people are present and connected via digital platforms and devices, our ministry must do the same.
If your ministry is not present or connected with the people you are called to serve, can you even call it ministry? If Jesus had stood off to the distance, separate from the people, could we even call it incarnation?
You were a digital minister long before the pandemic. Don’t believe me? When was the first time you sent an email to a congregant? Because that is digital ministry!
What we do need to do is be more intentional, more theological, more pastoral in the ways we use digital content and spaces for ministry. We can’t take these digital waters for granted but must learn to swim in them, not for the sake of jumping on the next big trend, but for the sake of being authentically present with the people we are called to serve.
The youth pastor doesn’t do all the youth ministry (or at least they shouldn’t). Instead they model and invite the whole congregation into an intergenerational ministry.
The justice pastor doesn’t go to the protest so you can stay at home. They lead us all in the ways we are called to work and live for justice together.
The digital minister doesn’t do digital ministry so you can just do the things you learned way back in seminary. They peer into this brave new world and help us all take steps forward to be, not just where we might be going, but where we currently are.
Ok, now on to webinars. I’ll be leading three this month. They’re all free. You’ll get a link to watch the recording if you can’t join live. So really, you should just register for them all. And then invite your friends/colleagues/congregation to do the same!
Sep 19 at 1:30 pm ET
Five Ideas Your Church Can Try on TikTok/Reels/Shorts
Vertical short form video is everywhere on social media. What began on TikTok got replicated on Instagram and Facebook with Reels and has even taken over YouTube with Shorts. But how can churches and faith leaders utilize these platforms and video style? In this webinar you will hear from Rev. Jim Keat and other digital ministry leaders about five ideas that your church can try on TikTok, Reels, or YouTube Shorts.
Sep 26 at 12:00 pm ET
Online Church Is Not The Answer with Jay Kranda
Jay Kranda is the Online Community pastor at Saddleback Church and the author of the new book, Online Church Is Not The Answer: Beyond Just Streaming Church to Hybrid Disciple Making.
Join Rev. Jim Keat as he talks with Jay about his book, what he's learned from over a decade of online ministry at Saddleback, and what exactly IS the answer. There might even be a game thrown in to see just how digitally savvy he is. ;)
All this to say, it's going to be a great conversation about a great book and more.
A bit more about the book:
Digital is a confusing concept, and many churches struggle to understand it, with most limiting their digital experience to streaming their church services and nothing more. In this book, you’ll learn how to think strategically about digital strategy and how to best integrate digital ideas into your church that align with your ministry’s in-person objectives. The goal is to disciple more people and not just get an online audience. Readers of this book will learn to cut through the hype and discern the most critical, high-level concepts and find practical ideas they can implement in their church. You’ll walk away with a vision and a pathway to take your church’s digital strategy to the next level and beyond just streaming a church service.
Sep 26 at 1:30 pm ET
A (Brief) History of TikTok & Why Churches Should Care
To know where you're going you have to know where you've been. Join Rev. Jim Keat as he walks through a (brief) history of TikTok as well as some insights about the platform. Why should pastors and churches care about this social media space? Join this one hour webinar to find out!