By Joseph Moore, Liberty University Theological Seminary Student, September 27, 2025
Introduction
In our fast-paced society that rarely slows down, the intersection of faith and technology has reshaped not only how we connect with one another but also how we grow in Christ. As I seek to reflect on my personal walk of faith with Christ in both the physical and digital spheres, I realize I must be intentional about growing and developing and give an honest assessment of where I am in life, understanding that “real-life ecologies provide formative opportunities for growth.”[1] The challenge for me is to think about how discipleship, formation, and community look in our perpetually linked age.
As I have engaged with the ideas in this book, I’ve been considering how I might more intentionally integrate digital ecology into my ministry. To explore this, I begin with two key questions: Can a digital footprint strengthen the work of ministry? And if so, what can I do that I am not presently doing? These questions speak not only to my personal development but also to the unique needs of my ministry setting. In the reflections that follow, I will share how these questions shape my thinking, outline my plans for integration, and conclude with one practical piece of advice for seminary students drawn from Surviving and Thriving in Seminary.
Question One: Can a digital footprint strengthen the work of ministry?
As pastor of a small start-up church, a digital footprint through Facebook, websites, and blogging has significantly strengthened our ministry by extending reach, fostering collaboration, and cultivating spiritual growth. Lowe and Lowe note that digital ecologies provide “formative opportunities for growth.”[2] For a young congregation without large numbers or resources, a digital presence has allowed the gospel to extend beyond the church’s physical location and into the daily lives of people online.
Digital platforms also shift ministry from individualistic expression toward collaborative discipleship. The Lowes observe that “social media are contributing to a shift from a more individualistic approach to one that focuses attention on collaboration with others.”[3] A church’s online posts, livestreams, and interactive prayer threads embody Paul’s “one-anothering” vision of the body of Christ.[4] In addition, digital ministry reflects the “bidirectional nature of learning” where believers exchange ideas, testimonies, and encouragement.[5] Blogs or comment sections on our Facebook and website has allow the congregation and seekers alike to contribute their voice, creating a richer ecology of faith.
Ultimately, as Lowe and Lowe remind us, “individual contributions serve a larger purpose” within the wider ecology of God’s kingdom.[6] For a small church, digital footprints magnify ministry impact, enabling it to reach further, disciple deeper, and build authentic community online.
Question Two: What Can I do that I am not Presently Doing?
As a small start-up church already using Facebook, a website, and blogging, the next step is to create more interactive spaces that foster discipleship online. Lowe and Lowe note that the “bidirectional nature of learning allows for a reciprocal exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experiences.”[7] Currently, our presence is mostly informational; to strengthen ministry, we must shift toward relational practices.
Hosting live prayer gatherings or Q&A sessions on Facebook could model the “one-anothering” dynamic the Lowes describe, where encouragement and growth come through shared participation.[8] Similarly, inviting testimonies through blog comments or video clips allows congregants to contribute their voices, demonstrating how “individual contributions serve a larger purpose.”[9] We can also post short devotionals, or discussion prompts during the week, creating rhythms that connect daily life with faith. As Lowe and Lowe remind us, “normal growth results from being in the right environment.”[10] By cultivating interactive online environments, our digital footprint can move from outreach to ongoing formation.
A Plan of Action
To strengthen ministry and expand our digital footprint, our small start-up church must move intentionally from simply having an online presence to cultivating an interactive, disciple-making environment. Lowe and Lowe remind us that “spiritual growth occurs when learners participate in dynamic, reciprocal communities of practice.”[11] This calls for both strategy and consistency.
First, we will enhance our social media engagement by using Facebook not only for announcements but for live prayer gatherings, Q&A sessions, and short devotionals. This creates the kind of “one-anothering” space the Lowes emphasize, where encouragement and discipleship emerge through shared participation.[12]
Second, we will expand storytelling opportunities by inviting congregants and friends to share testimonies through blogs, video clips, or comments. This will help build identity and belonging in our digital community.
Third, we will schedule consistent weekly digital touchpoints, such as short devotional videos or discussion prompts, to connect faith with everyday life. As the Lowes observe, growth depends on the “right environment,” consistent rhythms create that environment online.[13]
Finally, we will evaluate and adapt regularly, using feedback and analytics to ensure our digital efforts serve both outreach and discipleship. By intentionally shaping these practices, our church’s digital footprint will not only extend our reach but also deepen formation, allowing us to embody the gospel in digital spaces.
A Word to a Seminary Student
As you begin your seminary journey, let me offer both encouragement and realism. The good news is that you will learn and understand the Bible more deeply than ever before through your theological training.[14] The bad news is that you may not be as prepared as you think. Seminary will stretch you with new terms, ideas, and concepts that may challenge not only your intellect but also your faith.[15] This is not meant to discourage you, but rather is part of God’s refining work.
As a former soldier, a term we used often was “get comfortable being uncomfortable.” With that thought in mind, if I could leave you with one piece of advice, it would be this: embrace the discomfort. Zacharias and Forrest remind us that change is uncomfortable, but “discomfort can be good for you. More than that, it is essential if you want to keep growing.”[16] When you encounter new perspectives that unsettle your current beliefs, do not run from them. Instead, let them push you to articulate your convictions more clearly, to examine Scripture more carefully, and, when necessary, to adjust your understanding in faithfulness to God’s Word.[17]
Seminary will change you, academically, spiritually, and personally. That change may feel stretching, but it is part of digging a well of spiritual depth that will sustain you and your future ministry.[18] Trust that God will use both the joy and the discomfort of seminary to prepare you for a lifetime of faithful service.
Conclusion
In the end, both ministry in the digital age and the journey through seminary call us to the same posture—intentional growth, openness to change, and faithfulness to God’s calling. Digital tools can strengthen ministry by extending our reach and deepening discipleship, but they require deliberate effort to cultivate authentic community. Likewise, seminary offers opportunities to be stretched and reshaped in ways that prepare us for a lifetime of service. Whether navigating online spaces or academic challenges, the key is embracing discomfort as a means of growth and trusting that God is using every step to deepen our faith, sharpen our calling, and equip us to serve His church more faithfully.
Footnotes:
[1] Stephen D. Lowe and Mary E. Lowe, Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth through Online Education (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2018), 92.
[2] Lowe and Lowe. Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age, 92.
[3] Ibid, 94.
[4] Ibid, 102.
[5] Ibid, 95.
[6] Ibid, 105.
[8] Ibid, 102.
[9] Ibid, 105.
[10] Ibid, 132
[11] Ibid, 95.
[12] Ibid, 102.
[13] Ibid, 132.
[14] H. Daniel Zacharias and Benjamin K. Forrest, Surviving and Thriving in Seminary: An Academic and Spiritual Handbook (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017). 7.
[15] Ibid, 8-9.
[16] Ibid, 11.
[17] Ibid, 9.
[18] Ibid, 27-28.
Bibliography
Lowe, Stephen D. and Lowe, Mary E. Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age: Spiritual Growth through Online Education. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2018.
H. Daniel Zacharias and Benjamin K. Forrest, Surviving and Thriving in Seminary: AnAcademic and Spiritual Handbook. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017.
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