Online Church Is Not The Answer

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.

Table of Contents

First This
Chapter 1: Think Digitally
Chapter 2: Thief and Tower
Chapter 3: Understand the Objective
Chapter 4: Knowing Your Audiences
Chapter 5: Picking Your Approach
Chapter 6: Deciding Your Structure
Chapter 7: Creating Digital Space (The 4 S’s)
Chapter 8: Power of Online Small Groups
Chapter 9: Getting More People Engaged in Digital Strategy
Chapter 10: Measuring Digital
Chapter 11: Streaming Church?
Chapter 12: Understanding the Gap
Chapter 13: House Churches Connected to Online
Chapter 14: Friction Is a Good Thing
Chapter 15: The Future
Final Thoughts
Appendix 1: Next Step Questions
Appendix 2: Saddleback Church’s Online Church Model

Endorsements

“I don’t know anyone else who has had more experience and understanding of the strengths and limitations of a local church digital ministry than Jay Kranda. As the online pastor of Saddleback Church for years, Jay built our digital platform and community from the ground up. Then, during the crazy COVID years, Jay kept improving our online presence when it was our lifeline to our congregation around the world. Now, post-COVID, he keeps figuring out new ways to wisely use digital channels to supplement face-to-face evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and worship. Jay is truly the authority on this subject—just ask other churches and they’ll tell you. This book is essential to understanding the great capabilities, the inherent weaknesses, and the common mistakes churches make with digital ministry.”

Rick Warren
Author, The Purpose Driven Life

“The first online pastor I met was Jay. That was before online church even existed for the rest of us. Ten years later and he’s still leading the charge.”

Brady Shearer
Creator of Pro Church Tools and Nucleus

“Jay Kranda’s experience and insight combined with his love for the church is without compare. This is your go-to guide for the digital future of the church.”

Will Mancini
Author, Future Church: Seven Laws of Real Church Growth

“For anyone grappling with questions about the role of technology in religion, Online Church Is Not the Answer is essential reading. This book is not merely a critique of online church; it is a call to action, a manifesto for reimagining the ways in which we engage with our faith in an increasingly digital world. Kranda’s thoughtful reflections prompt readers to confront their assumptions and embrace a more holistic approach to spiritual growth—one that embraces both the benefits of technology and the irreplaceable value of face-to-face community.”

Chris Heaslip
Founder of Pushpay and Entrepreneur