It's Not a Mistake: God Made Us To Be Incarnate Beings
Strategic foundations for a church's communication ministry
Good news everyone! Stuart Crawshaw has recovered from his lurgy and was well enough to jump back on the couch with me and
to discuss the strategy of Soul Revival Church’s Communications Service Team.Kicking off with some reflections from Andy Crouch and Jay Kim’s excellent YouTube discussion, we wrestle with the role of technology, online community, and AI in Christian formation. How can churches think clearly about communication in a digital age? Online spaces do matter, but they can never replace the incarnate, physical relationships we were created for. Our humanity isn’t an accident—God made us flesh-and-blood people who grow best in embodied community. We were encouraged by the suggestion of an 80/20 (alloy vs. element) balance between digital and physical relationships, recognising the gift of online tools while still prioritising real-life connection.
So what for a church’s digital communications strategy? I’m glad you asked! Too often, we assume relationships will just happen from one hour on a Sunday. Instead, the Bible calls us to be devoted to one another in brotherly love. That means being relationally proactive, using technology not simply to enhance but to supplement our relationships. The Chip Lunch podcast is one example of this—designed to help people engage creatively with God and with each other.
It was also interesting to contrast God’s communication with the way AI “relates” to us. While God speaks truth, sometimes saying “no” for our good, AI often flatters and affirms. If all our spiritual formation happens online, we risk missing the messy reality of life together, where other people both hurt us and help us grow. Church community keeps us grounded in truth, forgiveness, and grace in ways digital relationships cannot replicate.
Finally, we consider how our communications strategy should flow from our call to help people know, love, and obey Jesus. This means thinking carefully about what kind of formation our digital content produces. In a culture that prizes comfort and convenience, the gospel calls us to embrace discomfort as part of God’s good work in shaping us. Technology is something we’ve made—but we ourselves are made in the image of God, who alone can redeem and transform us.
Listen along on your favourite podcasting app, or click through on the links below.