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We live in a digital world where technology is dramatically reshaping life as we know it. In the last few decades, technology has changed the way humans work, communicate, and spend their time—affecting just about every area of our lives!
On top of these changes, church leaders find themselves standing at a crossroads—uncertain about how to embrace innovation, yet eager to harness it for the mission of the Church. With so many people turning to phones as the focal point of their lives, spirituality, and daily decisions, churches struggle with knowing how to disciple people beyond the pulpit in this new digital era.
This tension is the new frontier of ministry—and it’s one that thousands of pastors face every week. But what if technology, instead of being an obstacle, could become the catalyst for deeper discipleship?
That’s exactly the question driving a groundbreaking partnership between Barna Group and Subsplash, who recently joined forces to host a powerful webinar and release a brand-new ebook, When Technology Leads to Transformation: Five Insights Shaping the Future of Digital Discipleship.
Their free ebook provides insights from influential Christian leaders like Carey Nieuwhof, Nona Jones, and Kenny Jahng, the Subsplash and Barna teams are helping church leaders around the world embrace the digital era with wisdom, courage, and confidence.
Hundreds of pastors and church leaders from around the country tuned in to watch the webinar, demonstrating how pastors and church leaders are hungry to learn how to disciple effectively in a rapidly changing digital world.
The main takeaway is clear: The future of discipleship will be shaped by how church leaders today navigate the intersection of technology and spiritual formation.
The question is not whether technology will shape your ministry—it already has! The question is whether you will lead your community to utilize tech for the purpose of growing the Church.. As Chris Sharpe, Chief Revenue Officer at Subsplash says, “World class engagement invites people to participate in the mission of your church. You’re bringing people into the ongoing discipleship journey of daily content.”
For over two decades, Subsplash has helped churches around the globe engage their people with the gospel through world-class digital tools. Now, with new insights from Barna’s latest research, we’re inviting church leaders to rethink how technology can be used not just for communication, but for transformation through discipleship.
In this webinar, we've provided you with the five insights shaping the future of digital discipleship to help position you for the best ministry success. By bridging the digital and physical worlds, your leadership can position your church to simplify your systems, disciple more people, and innovate for the Gospel!
Artificial intelligence has entered nearly every sphere of life, and the Church is no exception. Barna’s research found that 77% of pastors believe God can use AI, and many are already utilizing it for administrative or communication purposes.
Yet most leaders draw a clear boundary: while AI can assist with marketing or data organization, it should never replace the spiritual discernment required for pastoral care, counseling, or preaching.
Kenny Jahng, editor-in-chief of ChurchTechToday, noted: “As someone who spends a lot of time helping ministry leaders understand AI, I often remind pastors that AI is like a hammer in the toolbox, not a doctrine in the pulpit. The real discernment comes in asking: What story are we allowing this tool to tell about God, people and the Church?”
For pastors, the challenge is not becoming AI experts, but shepherding wisely in an AI-shaped world. It’s important to ensure that your church has a strong theological foundation of how to ethically and intentionally engage with AI tools. Like all technology, AI can be used in both positive and negative ways. Taking the time to outline how your church will or won’t engage with AI is essential.
Despite living in the digital age, with the ability to stay connected to others both near and far, Americans are currently experiencing a loneliness epidemic—one that predates the COVID-19 pandemic, which only exacerbated feelings of loneliness and isolation. Despite constant connection, loneliness is skyrocketing—especially among Gen Z and Millennials. Over 63% of pastors fear that AI will make this problem worse.
In a study Barna conducted in partnership with Aspen Group, U.S. adults reported that when they are experiencing feelings of loneliness, isolation or depression, they prefer to seek community in physical spaces rather than online. It seems that for many Americans, proximity to others offers a sense of comfort that digital connections often lack. This data presents a powerful opportunity for churches.
“The Church stands at a pivotal milestone in history,” said Tim Turner, CEO of Subsplash. “We live in an age of deception and see a rising generation battling loneliness, crisis of identity and cultural uncertainty. What is the antidote for these issues? The truth and love of Jesus! The Church holds the message of truth and eternal hope that people are longing to hear. The amazing truth, power and love of Jesus as revealed in scripture are timeless and precisely what this uncertain generation needs.”
Inviting lonely or isolated individuals into your church spaces where they can encounter authentic community can help meet a profound emotional need. And these connections can start online.
“Everybody you want to reach is online,” says Carey Nieuwhof, bestselling author and Christian thought leader, “but you want to drive them to an in-person experience. The purpose of online should be to drive people to in-person connection.”
There’s no doubt that technology can powerfully reach people and start important conversations for ministry. But real relationships are at the heart of the Gospel. Digital discipleship isn’t about replacing fellowship—it’s about amplifying it. And as we are in the midst of a loneliness epidemic, let’s meet these younger generations not with just another program or event, but meaningful relationships for them to grow, be loved, and deeply discipled.
Recent Barna data shows that today’s Christians desire more from their church than the Sunday message and weekend ministry. Churchgoers have made it clear that they want more than traditional church offerings available to them. This is an opportunity for churches to intentionally leverage technology to meet people’s spiritual formation needs throughout the week.
Barna’s data reveals a remarkable truth: 74% of Christians believe their church could benefit from a digital resource hub. Another 68% want better digital communication strategies.
Today’s believers are hungry for discipleship throughout the week—not just on Sunday. From virtual small groups to on-demand teaching, the opportunities for daily spiritual formation are endless.
As Kenny Jahng summarizes it: “The sermon is a spark, but people need fuel for the fire all week long. …One message can be multiplied into devotionals, video clips, discussion guides and podcasts.”
With the average person spending 45 hours a week on their phone, digital tools have become essential for meeting people where they are—and helping them grow deeper in their faith.
Gen Z has never known a world without smartphones or social media. Yet while 29% of all Gen Z say they have built a community of friends through online experiences, over half (54%) say that in-person relationships are more valuable than digital relationships.
This generation is not closed off to faith; in fact, faith in the U.S. is trending. Many are more open to God now than before the pandemic. The Church’s mission is to meet them where they already are—online—and invite them into authentic community.
As Christian thought leader, author, and speaker Nora Jones powerfully says, “Ask the people you’re trying to serve. Ask Gen Z, ‘What do you need? What are the most pressing issues? What questions are you wrestling with?’ We need to be open to their answers.”
While U.S. Gen Z are increasingly turning to Jesus, their generation’s bouts of loneliness and ongoing spiritual curiosity should not be ignored. In fact, taking these factors into account are key to building a bridge between Gen Z and your local faith community that can offer authentic relationships and the truth of the gospel. It is crucial that churches take this call to action seriously.
Technology’s rapid growth as well as younger generations’ increasing reliance on tech has put pressure on churches to offer more digital resources to their congregants throughout the week.
Barna found that many Christians now believe they can experience God online, grow spiritually through digital resources, and strengthen faith communities that blend both worlds. And as Carey Nieuwhof powerfully states, “Gen Z’s high-water mark for church attendance is 1.9 times a month. Spiritual formation has to happen outside Sunday, or else people are being formed by the world rather than the Christian faith.”
That means discipleship is no longer limited to Sunday morning services or Wednesday night gatherings. Because of the rise of technology, it’s something that can happen anytime, anywhere. And while there’s broad recognition of the need for digital transformation in the Church, a significant gap remains between aspiration and implementation. So what’s a good first step?
Your church can begin by leveraging tools like church apps, online discussions and digital content to create meaningful ways for congregants of all ages to connect with faith—both online and in person.
From church apps to livestreamed worship to digital devotionals, technology can empower churches to disciple anyone, anywhere, at any time. The future of discipleship will be shaped by how the Church navigates the intersection of technology and spiritual formation. Digital tools are not neutral—they can isolate or they can connect, distract or disciple. The difference lies in how we use them.
The full conversation between Barna and Subsplash is filled with important insights for pastors, staff, and church leaders who are looking to bridge the gap between technological innovation and church discipleship in this cultural moment—especially if you don’t know where to start.
For deeper insights on bridging technology and discipleship, download our free ebook with Barna, When Technology Leads to Transformation.
For over 20 years, Subsplash has helped churches make the truth of Jesus “incredibly accessible to everyone, everywhere, anytime.” From Subsplash Tap, which powers in-person generosity through contactless giving, to Pulpit AI, which helps pastors expand their messages into daily discipleship content, Subsplash continues to build innovative tools that keep mission at the center of technology.
These tools don’t replace ministry—they simplify and multiply it. They help churches engage their communities, nurture discipleship, and share the gospel across every screen and season of life.
The world is changing, but the mission remains the same. With the right tools, your church can transform technology into a pathway for transformation, reaching hearts and making disciples in every corner of the digital world.
© 2025 Subsplash
