Intro to Digital Discipleship
1. The Church in a Digital Age – Bobby Gruenewald
Digital Discipleship has emerged as one of the most vital conversations of our time, reshaping how the church understands evangelism and spiritual growth in the digital era. Bobby Gruenewald, pastor, innovator, and founder of the YouVersion Bible App, has been one of the pioneering voices in this shift. He introduced the phrase “Digital Mission Field,” urging churches to recognize that billions of people now inhabit online spaces in the same way they inhabit physical ones. For Gruenewald, platforms like apps, livestreams, and social media are not distractions from real ministry but rather the new terrain where discipleship must occur. This framing challenges the church to step boldly into digital environments with intentional strategies for reaching, teaching, and discipling believers.
2. Beyond Broadcasting to Belonging – Nona Jones
The rise of online platforms has led many churches to experiment with livestreaming sermons and creating digital worship spaces. However, Nona Jones, global thought leader and Head of Faith-Based Partnerships at Meta (Facebook), warns that simply broadcasting content is not enough. She introduced the concept of a “Digital Discipleship System,” a framework where digital ministry must intentionally move people from passive consumption toward meaningful community and spiritual transformation. For Jones, true Digital Discipleship is about cultivating relationships, accountability, and mentorship online—elements that mirror the biblical model of discipleship but are uniquely expressed in digital environments. Her work reframes technology from being a tool of convenience into a pathway for authentic discipleship.
3. Reimagining Mission in Virtual Spaces – Dr. Heidi Campbell
As the boundaries between real and virtual life continue to blur, Digital Discipleship must be reimagined within the structures of digital culture. Dr. Heidi Campbell, a leading scholar in digital religion, introduced the influential concept of “Networked Religion.” This term captures how faith practices today are decentralized, interactive, and shaped by online networks rather than traditional institutions alone. Campbell’s research demonstrates that believers no longer see digital life as separate from spiritual life; rather, they integrate prayer, community, and identity across both spaces. Within this framework, Digital Discipleship becomes not only the transmission of teaching but also the cultivation of spiritual practices that thrive in relational and participatory digital ecosystems.
4. From Technology to Theology – Craig Groeschel
The conversation on Digital Discipleship often begins with the practical use of tools, yet it cannot stop there—it must extend to theological reflection. Craig Groeschel, pastor of Life.Church, helped popularize the idea of “Church Online,” arguing that true spiritual formation can occur in digital contexts if relationships and engagement are prioritized. For Groeschel, digital tools are not substitutes for the church but extensions of its mission. The model of “Church Online” demonstrates that when technology is harnessed with intentionality, it can become a conduit for prayer, worship, accountability, and discipleship. Groeschel’s insights remind us that Digital Discipleship is less about technology itself and more about how faith communities use it to pursue authentic spiritual transformation.
5. Empowering the 15/50 Window – Dr. Dony K. Donev
Demographics reveal that the majority of digital users fall within a unique global category. Dr. Dony K. Donev, missiologist and cultural researcher, introduced the term “15/50 Window” to describe individuals aged 15–50, who make up more than half of the world’s internet users. Donev argues that this age group represents the most strategic mission field of the twenty-first century. In this context, Digital Discipleship is not an optional ministry innovation but an urgent necessity. To reach the 15/50 Window, the church must prioritize digital platforms as primary spaces for evangelism, teaching, and discipleship. Donev’s work highlights that the effectiveness of Christian mission today will be measured not only by physical gatherings but also by how faithfully the church disciples people within digital spaces.
6. Digital Presence as Spiritual Practice – Dr. Darrell Bock
Discipleship is not only about what Christians believe but also about how they live—and today, much of that life unfolds online. Dr. Darrell L. Bock, theologian and cultural engagement expert, uses the phrase “Digital Footprint of Faith” to describe how believers’ online presence testifies to their spiritual identity. Every interaction, post, and digital conversation can either strengthen or weaken the credibility of Christian witness. In this sense, Digital Discipleship calls believers to intentionally cultivate their digital presence as part of their spiritual formation. Bock’s insights remind us that discipleship in the digital era is not confined to sermons or programs; it extends to everyday practices of faith lived out visibly in digital environments.
