Digital Ministry Fellows
Why this project?
The Convergence Digital Ministry Fellowship Program will respond to 21st century challenges in 21st century ways. It is a big dream: to empower leaders who can model what digital ministry could look like in various contexts, to equip and inspire faith leaders in varying contexts with different technological abilities to take their necessary next step in digital ministry, and to look forward to where this might be headed rather than perpetually looking back and wishing we could relive our “glory days” of the past.
Why Now?
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic pushed faith communities around the world into the deep end of digital content and online community. While many faith leaders and communities have learned new skills during this time, many continue to feel stretched thin, overworked, and ready to burn out. But the past few years remind us that the church has always been called to embrace change. This is built into our DNA. This whole movement started with change (incarnation) and change (Pentecost) and change (gentiles) and change (Constantine) and change (monastics) and change (the Reformation) and change. Convergence believes in "ecclesia reformata sempre reformanda" -- the Church is reformed and always being reformed" -- the church needs to be true to who she has always been called to be -- alive and active and present in the world around us. We can't look the way we always have in the past. To be a person of faith doesn't mean you have to be a person of antiquity. We need to be prepared for and ready to embrace (and cause?) change in the world and within the church. If we don't, then we will always be one step (or one decade) or more behind.The next iteration of the church will likely look similar to the last major communications revolution she caused/endured. Just as the invention and adoption of the printing press made the Bible more easily available in the language of the people, emerging technologies will continue to make the word and work of God available to people all around the world. This is a good thing, but just like putting the Bible in the hands of everyone, it can also be dangerous, leading to both helpful and harmful theologies and interpretations of the Bible. Suddenly anyone with a smartphone can become a preacher on YouTube or TikTok, regardless of their training or accountability. But at the same time, anyone with a smartphone can access and engage faith communities that will welcome and accept them, where previously they may have found themselves excluded due to their race, gender identity, or sexuality.
So what will the next iteration of the church look like? It will continue to be grounded in our local contexts but more connected to faith communities in the wider world. The church will recognize that belonging extends beyond four walls as we engage sermons and speakers and faith formation content from around the world. We think that the next iteration of the church will embrace both physical and virtual experiences. After all, virtual is not the opposite of real. It's the opposite of physical. They are both real. This will create tension in what it means to be a "local church" when we can have a global reach and impact. But that has always been the tension of the church, now we're just all experiencing and exploring it all around us.
Meet our Senior Fellows

Ashley Dargai

Daniella Hobbs

Bethany Peerbolte

Brandan Robertson

Timoth Sylvia
