The platform society is causing a shift in the nature of work, leading to precarious employment and increasing inequality.
The church needs to adapt to the challenges of the platform society by addressing changing demographics, building social connections, and fostering genuine relationships.
Deep dives
The emergence of the platform society and its impact on individuals and the church
The podcast explores the concept of the platform society, which is formed by large digital platforms connected to global corporations. This new society is changing the shape of society and has significant implications for individuals and the church. It is causing a shift in the nature of work, leading to the rise of precarious employment and increasing inequality. Geopolitics is also brought into people's backyards as these transnational platforms operate outside of local laws. Furthermore, the platform society is leading to social disconnection and a decreased ability to build relationships. The fear of difficulty and challenging conversations is contributing to the decline of social skills and the rise of ghosting. The impact of the platform society on discipleship includes the challenges of secularization, the changing demographics of churches, and the need to develop new strategies for relationship-building and discipleship.
Structural implications for the church in the platform society
In the platform society, churches will face structural challenges, such as a decline in church size and tithing due to demographic changes and increasing secularization. The traditional setup of churches for families will need to adapt to serve a larger single population and address the delayed adolescence trend. The fraying of social connections and the loss of social skills will require churches to invest in building new relationships and creating spaces for social interaction. Additionally, the platform society's influence on the structure of church services and the distribution of content should be carefully considered, as it can unintentionally contribute to silos and hinder embedded discipleship.
Opportunities for discipleship in the platform society
The platform society presents opportunities for the church to rethink discipleship strategies. As society becomes more individualistic and socially disconnected, the church can focus on helping individuals develop social skills and foster genuine relationships. Focus can also be placed on building community and providing spaces for social connection within the church. This could include offering conversation classes, creating environments for intergenerational interaction, and intentionally facilitating difficult conversations. By taking advantage of these opportunities, the church can navigate the challenges of the platform society and continue the mission of discipleship.
Conclusion
The emergence of the platform society is reshaping society and posing unique challenges and opportunities for the church. It is vital for the church to be aware of the social and structural implications of the platform society and to adapt its approach to discipleship accordingly. By addressing the changing demographics, building social connections, and fostering genuine relationships, the church can effectively navigate the complexities of the platform society and continue its mission of discipleship.
