DIGITAL DISCIPLESHIP: Outro Coda

In the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, our campus pastor, Rob Fultz (who formerly served at Saddleback), participated in a brief podcast on Digital Discipleship. The discussion introduced the concept of digital mission fields, highlighting digital platforms as the primary mode of communication and connection. Among the key points were the invitation of dissenting voices and the importance of empowerment over control—both serving as a strong introduction to the conversation.

Digital Discipleship was described as using digital platforms to guide and mentor people in their faith. The primary target group identified was, of course, Gen Z—also known as digital natives. Unfortunately, a major point was missed right from the start: digital discipleship cannot exist without being completely authentic and measurable.

Authenticity and rawness in digital content are far more effective than overproduced material. The lack of defined models for digital discipleship should not be seen merely as an opportunity for innovation and experimentation. This generation will not become a mission project or ministry experiment. They have witnessed what such paradigms have done to their siblings, parents, and even grandparents. Because of this, Gen Z will not subject themselves to another faith trend, spiritual wave, or church craze. And we, the Church, simply cannot afford to get this one wrong.

The tension—and danger—comes from the fact that the digital space is anything but neutral. Digitalization has been ongoing for so long that there is hardly any niche untouched by the social trends dictated by .com companies, internet influencers, and savvy marketers.

We, the Church, are late to the digital party! And our last hope to reach the unreached digital natives has been planted in the dry, polarized fields of the digital wilderness…