Ecclesiology for a digital church: theological reflections on a new normal
London:
SCM Press
(2022), xviii, 180 pp.
ISBN 978-0-334-06159-5 (pbk)
"This volume contains a collection of 12 chapters discussing the theme of the book, which focuses on the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications that this crisis holds for the church in the future. The main matter being examined in this book is the ecclesiological challenges and opportunities presented by digital technology in relation to its widespread use in the life of the church during the health crisis. The book is divided into three sections. “The first part re-examines traditional vocabulary and understandings of digital church. The second section explores specific examples of ecclesiological shifts during the pandemic. The final section looks to the future of the Church in the digital age, offering insight and recommendations for a way forward.” One of the highlights of this book is that it gathered the wisdom and insights from scholars from a variety of disciplines and theological traditions as well as geographical and cultural backgrounds. Thus, the theology of the Church in the digital age being considered and deepened in this volume is not of a particular denomination, but of Christianity taken as a whole." (https://www.asianresearchcenter.org)
Contents
Introduction: What does a Conversation on Digital Ecclesiology Look Like? / Heidi A. Campbell and John Dyer, xi
PART 1: THEORIZING THE DIGITAL CHURCH
1 Exploring Mediated Ekklesia: How We Talk about Church in the Digital Age / John Dyer, 3
2 The Church's Online Presence and Ecclesial Communion: Virtual or Real? / Anthony Le Duc, 17
3 A Practical Challenge to Ecclesiology and Self-Understanding of the Christian Churches / Paul A. Soukup, 33
4 A Few New Things Under the Sun: A Sacramental Approach to Digital Ecclesiology / Katherine G. Schmidt, 43
PART 2: LEARNING FROM THE ONLINE SHIFT
5 Understandings of the Church as Revealed in Quarantine: Reimagining the People of God / Heidi A. Campbell, 59
6 Digital Communication as Theological Productivity in a Participatory Church 'For and With All': Empirical Insights and Ecclesiological Reflection / Thomas Schlag and Sabrina Müller, 74
7 Locked Down but Not Locked Out: An African Perspective on Pentecostalism and Media in a Pandemic Era / J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, 86
8 Lockdown Ecclesiologies: The Limits and Possibilities of Enforced Online First Expressions / Steve Taylor, 101
PART 3: NEW DIGITAL PRACTICES FOR THE FUTURE CHURCH
9 Digital Technology and Mediating the Pneuma in Church Outreach / Bala A. Musa and Boye-Nelson Kiamu, 117
10 Liturgy as Persuasive Technology: Exploring Liturgical Practices in Online Worship / Jonas Kurlberg, 130
11 Ecclesiology of 'Do Not Stop Them': Children, Creativity and Connection / Kate Ott, 142
12 Beyond the Live and Zoomiverse: Recognizing Opportunities for Spiritual Connection Outside Live Preaching/Church / Philip Butler, 155
Conclusion: Themes of the Digitized Church / Heidi A. Campbell and John Dyer, 167
PART 1: THEORIZING THE DIGITAL CHURCH
1 Exploring Mediated Ekklesia: How We Talk about Church in the Digital Age / John Dyer, 3
2 The Church's Online Presence and Ecclesial Communion: Virtual or Real? / Anthony Le Duc, 17
3 A Practical Challenge to Ecclesiology and Self-Understanding of the Christian Churches / Paul A. Soukup, 33
4 A Few New Things Under the Sun: A Sacramental Approach to Digital Ecclesiology / Katherine G. Schmidt, 43
PART 2: LEARNING FROM THE ONLINE SHIFT
5 Understandings of the Church as Revealed in Quarantine: Reimagining the People of God / Heidi A. Campbell, 59
6 Digital Communication as Theological Productivity in a Participatory Church 'For and With All': Empirical Insights and Ecclesiological Reflection / Thomas Schlag and Sabrina Müller, 74
7 Locked Down but Not Locked Out: An African Perspective on Pentecostalism and Media in a Pandemic Era / J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, 86
8 Lockdown Ecclesiologies: The Limits and Possibilities of Enforced Online First Expressions / Steve Taylor, 101
PART 3: NEW DIGITAL PRACTICES FOR THE FUTURE CHURCH
9 Digital Technology and Mediating the Pneuma in Church Outreach / Bala A. Musa and Boye-Nelson Kiamu, 117
10 Liturgy as Persuasive Technology: Exploring Liturgical Practices in Online Worship / Jonas Kurlberg, 130
11 Ecclesiology of 'Do Not Stop Them': Children, Creativity and Connection / Kate Ott, 142
12 Beyond the Live and Zoomiverse: Recognizing Opportunities for Spiritual Connection Outside Live Preaching/Church / Philip Butler, 155
Conclusion: Themes of the Digitized Church / Heidi A. Campbell and John Dyer, 167
