In this episode, host Justin interviews Jay Kranda, the Online Community Pastor for Saddleback Church. Jay delves into the evolving role of online church and shares his insights on making disciples through digital platforms. Since 2010, Jay has been at the forefront of building a robust online ministry, and he discusses how to go beyond basic streaming to create meaningful engagement with online small groups and tools like Zoom. He also introduces his new book, Online Church is Not the Answer, which offers a framework for effective hybrid disciple-making. Tune in for practical advice on leveraging digital tools for greater community impact and spiritual growth.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Introduction to the Digital Missions Podcast
00:46 – Meet Jay: Online Community Pastor at Saddleback Church
02:27 – Early Days of Online Ministry
04:40 – Challenges and Innovations in Streaming
08:06 – The Evolution of Online Groups
19:59 – Strategic Wins and Building Trust
29:54 – Starting a Zoom Group for Church Activities
30:45 – Engaging Viewers and Forming Online Groups
31:52 – Zoom as a Tool for Large Gatherings
33:07 – The Power of Online Bible Studies
36:11 – Addressing Lurkers and Encouraging Engagement
39:58 – Quality Control in Digital Ministry
43:25 – Navigating Theological and Methodological Challenges
50:06 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Church Leaders
