286. Incarnational Ministry vs. Digital Engagement, with Michael Huerter, author of The Hybrid Congregation

The COVID-19 crisis pushed churches to reimagine everything from Sunday worship to committee meetings, often thrusting them onto unfamiliar digital ground. Navigating livestreams, Zoom calls, and online communion, ministry leaders have had to ask: What does it mean to truly be the body of Christ in a hybrid or even fully online world?

In this episode, Michael Huerter, author of The Hybrid Congregation, talks about the theological and practical implications of digital ministry, how technology is shaping Christian community today, and what it looks like to do incarnational ministry in a time when “embodiment” often includes both physical and digital presence.

THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Michael Huerter identifies the technological revolution as a challenge that forces churches to quickly adapt, especially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Churches adapted rapidly to online worship out of necessity, often improvising by streaming or recording services for the first time.
• Michael Huerter describes the struggle of clergy to reflect theologically about worship changes while managing weekly ministry demands.
• The shift to online ministry required pastors to find new ways to foster belonging and community amid isolation.
• Integrating online technology into church life raises theological questions but can also expand accessibility and connection.
• Michael Huerter explains that congregations faced difficult questions around sacraments, like communion, during virtual services and responded differently based on tradition.
• Worship communities discovered that virtual meetings, such as board meetings and Bible studies, created new conveniences and altered expectations for gathering together.
• Online ministry allows for broader participation, particularly for those unable to attend in person due to distance, weather, or health.
• Michael Huerter discusses the tension between the benefits of hybrid models and the losses in personal connection that come from shifting meetings and worship online.
• Participating in both physical and online ministry offers unique strengths and limitations in forming authentic community.
• The theological call to be incarnational does not require rejecting technology; rather, ministry can thoughtfully incorporate digital tools as part of discipleship.
• Michael Huerter pushes back against the idea that digital practices conflict with incarnational theology, highlighting historical uses of technology in church growth.
• Passive participation in online worship, such as listening to music or liturgy, still engages the body and spirit and remains spiritually meaningful.
• Michael Huerter urges pastors to approach technology with a people-first mindset, focusing on community needs rather than pursuing reach or production value for its own sake.
• Discernment, curiosity, and pastoral care are key for churches navigating ongoing technological changes and competing values in ministry.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

• Books mentioned:
  • The Hybrid Congregation, by Michael Huerter
• 131: Spiritual Leadership in the Digital Space, with Laura Murray

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