Liminal Spaces and Digital Grace: Building Community in the Machine Age

February 23
18 mins

Episode Description

Navigating the wild world of AI and digital spaces is no joke, especially for the church. Dr. Jeffery D. Skinner dives deep into the importance of embodied authority and the need for trust in our communities as we face these tech-driven challenges. It’s not just about having a fancy title anymore; it’s about being present and relatable. In a world where AI can create convincing imitations of voices and content, knowing your pastor’s voice becomes crucial. Think about it—if a controversial video of your pastor popped up online, would you know if it was real or fake? That's where trust comes in, and that trust is built through authentic relationships. Skinner emphasizes that instead of retreating from the digital battlefield, the church should boldly step into this mission field, engaging with the tools available to foster community and discernment. After all, the gospel’s authenticity is something algorithms can’t replicate, and as church leaders, we need to prepare our communities to navigate this new terrain wisely. So, let’s not just survive; let’s thrive in this digital age by building resilient communities that embody love and support.

Takeaways


The church must respond to digital challenges with clarity and trust.

Embodied authority is crucial in a world where reality can be faked.

Adaptive leadership is necessary for navigating the next decade.

Digital environments shape our perceptions and realities.

Authority now comes from trust and presence, not just titles.

Discipleship includes teaching discernment in a digital age.

The church should not withdraw from digital mission fields.

Building resilient communities is essential for trust.

Technology can isolate, but the church offers relational abundance.

The gospel's authenticity cannot be simulated by algorithms.

Navigating the wild world of AI and digital spaces is no joke, especially for the church. Dr. Jeffery D. Skinner dives deep into the importance of embodied authority and the need for trust in our communities as we face these tech-driven challenges. It’s not just about having a fancy title anymore; it’s about being present and relatable. In a world where AI can create convincing imitations of voices and content, knowing your pastor’s voice becomes crucial. Think about it—if a controversial video of your pastor popped up online, would you know if it was real or fake? That's where trust comes in, and that trust is built through authentic relationships. Skinner emphasizes that instead of retreating from the digital battlefield, the church should boldly step into this mission field, engaging with the tools available to foster community and discernment. After all, the gospel’s authenticity is something algorithms can’t replicate, and as church leaders, we need to prepare our communities to navigate this new terrain wisely. So, let’s not just survive; let’s thrive in this digital age by building resilient communities that embody love and support.

Takeaways:

  1. In today's world where AI can mimic human voices, embodied authority is essential for the church.
  2. Trust is the new currency for leadership; it's all about being present and relatable now.
  3. Digital spaces are not to be feared; they should be seen as mission fields for the church.
  4. Resilient communities built on authentic relationships can combat the isolation technology often brings.

Links referenced in this episode:

  1. amazon.com
  2. barnesandnoble.com
  3. facebook.com
  4. instagram.com
  5. tiktok.com
  6. twitter.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

  1. Missional Church Planting
  2. Dynamic Church Planting International
  3. Amazon
  4. Barnes and Noble
  5. Canoeing the Mountains
  6. Todd Bolsinger
  7. Tim Gaines
  8. J. Kim
  9. Andy Crouch
  10. John Dyer



This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy
OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
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