Reforming Church for the 21st Century: Online Ministry

Reforming the 21st Century Church: Online Ministry is an examination of online ministry, which is needed more than ever as the current COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated. Research is shared that demonstrates the need for online ministry. Discover a theological foundation for conducting online ministry. Figures are used to assist in the visualization of some concepts.

The pandemic that COVID-19 created has illustrated the need for ministries to return to a more adaptable state, much like the ancient iteration of the church was very adaptable, and it is a reminder that the church community transcends a physical location. The church community is not merely physical; it is also metaphysical, mediated through the Paraclete, with each believer bound together into a spiritual community whose Lord interacts with it metaphysically.
In modernity, one way that the church can be more adaptable and transcend the physical that will assist it in remaining relevant as it continues to pursue the missio Dei with the greatest expediency is that of the digital landscape, specifically online platforms and tools. These represent the greatest potential presently to expand the church's influence and the kingdom of God. However, many local ministries have fallen behind on leveraging these online tools to their fullest extent for one reason or another.

About the Author

Dr. Dan Bagaas was born and raised in Seattle, WA. He currently resides in South Seattle with his wife and their five children. He accepted Christ as his Savior more than 30 years ago and has served in the church as an elder for many years. He was fortunate and blessed to experience Brazil and Japan, learn Portuguese and some Japanese, as well as start and operate two schools in Japan during nearly a decade of international travels and stays. For a number of years, he built, maintained, planned, and designed websites. He earned a B.A. in Psychology from Crown College, and both a Master of Divinity in Leadership and a Doctor of Ministry in Ministry Leadership from Liberty University with a thesis concerning online ministry titled Migrating and Amplifying Ministry to Online Platforms to Pursue the Great Commission.