What I've Been Reading: Analog Church
What is an analog church? A decade or two ago this book title wouldn’t have made much sense. A century ago it would have been unthinkable. Recent technological advances have facilitated the creation of “digital church.” The last six months, concerns over COVID-19 have taken the concept of digital church from a more avant-garde approach to ministry to a commonplace practice. Thousands of churches across America made the shift to a digital model in these past months. Analog Church by Jay Y. Kim is a great read to consider the implications of a digital model of ministry.
The author does not disguise his concern about the liability of digital church. Kim shows how the conveniences of technological advances such as speed and the ability to customize can create liabilities like impatience and shallowness. Kim rightfully critiques how many arguments for digital church come from the business world. His question is the right one to ask: “Is that what the church is?” (24). Kim argues that rather than following the prevailing model of the culture, the church ought to disrupt it by inviting people into something different and more transcendent.
Kim cites philosopher Marshal McLuhan (famous for the axiom “the medium is the message”) as a caution against the way in which helpful technologies, when taken to extremes, can actually be detrimental to human flourishing (40-41). Kim’s major thesis is that the digital is a great medium for information but a poor medium for transformation. He writes: “Digital informs. Analog transforms” (59). Kim suggests that the move to digital worship by nature of the medium pushes the church more toward entertainment rather than engagement.
Kim contrasts the personalization of the digital world with the Scriptural metaphor of the church as the family of God. In the digital realm we tailor our experiences to fit our unique desires whereas in a physical church setting we do not pick and choose who is part of that experience (108). The truest form of human connection simply cannot happen if believers are not interacting in the same physical space as one another. Kim also notes how our interaction with Scripture changes and thins out as we move into the digital realm. Rather than reading in depth we tend to skim for nuggets of information or inspiration.
Having experienced church in the digital realm for a few month, I found myself in agreement with Kim in many places. Technology does offer amazing advantages of scale and reach. I think digital broadcasts can be a new “front door” for the church. I think digital broadcasts can spread the Gospel farther and more efficiently than at any other time in history. With very minimal expense any church can broadcast a message online that can be viewed almost anywhere in the world. This truly is an amazing reach. In spite of all these advantages we must be careful.
Regular physical gatherings with our church family are essential. Watching church online is not the same as attending. While better than nothing, digital connections are not the same as in-person relationships. If today’s believers become satisfied with digital church and default to this medium we will not be stronger for it. If you’re able, prioritize gathering with your church family. Jesus is worthy of worship, and worshipping together is vital.