In this conversation, Jeff Reed and Barbara Carneiro discuss their personal experiences and challenges related to church communications. They talk about the importance of defining and understanding your audience, and how to humanize the concept of an audience by thinking about who is sitting at your table. They also discuss the tension between who you want your church to be and who you are actually reaching, and the need to focus on the connections you have rather than trying to change and recruit new ones. The conversation explores the tension between who we want to become and who we are currently reaching. It discusses the importance of being intentional in our connections and focusing on a specific audience. The concept of being viral within a small setting is highlighted, emphasizing the power of being clear in our messaging and targeting a specific group. The cost of letting go and the faith required to trust that God will bring the right people to us is also discussed. In this conversation, Jeff Reed and Barbara Carneiro discuss the importance of clarity and language in ministry and digital communication. They emphasize the need for individuals and organizations to have a clear vision and message that can be easily understood and shared. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities of fundraising in ministry and the importance of storytelling in casting vision. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the Church Digital's upcoming learning community on church communications. QUOTES "Who's sitting at your table?" "There has to be a table somewhere for that person because God is that good." "The more I can humanize that vision, the easier it will be for me to speak to them." "We can connect with people from different places than just our age" "Accelerating the path towards somebody" "We're trying to find them and they're praying to find us" "I want to be the person that reveals the heartbeat of the people around me." "It's interesting because you're recognizing that different platforms have different target audiences." "If you're not the best at what you do, then you need to find what you're the best at and go do that." TAKEAWAYS Define and understand your audience by thinking about who is sitting at your table Humanize the concept of an audience by focusing on the people you are actually reaching Recognize the tension between who you want your church to be and who you are currently reaching Focus on the connections you have and build relationships with them Be intentional in our connections and focus on a specific audience Being viral within a small setting can be more effective than trying to reach everyone The cost of letting go is worth the payoff of narrowing our focus Trust that God will bring the right people to us when we are clear in our messaging and targeting Control where we show up, how we show up, and how frequently we show up Clarity and language are essential in ministry and digital communication. Having a clear vision and message that is easily understood and shared is crucial. Fundraising in ministry requires casting vision and attaching a story to it. Creating a portable movement allows for growth and expansion beyond oneself. Niche focus and targeted communications are key to success in the digital space. The Church Digital is hosting a learning community on church communications.

In this episode, Jeff Reed and Andy Mage discuss the concept of asynchronous community and its potential for churches. They define an asynchronous community as communication that does not happen in real time, such as through text messages, social media, or online forums. They emphasize that asynchronous community goes beyond simple conversation and engagement, fostering deeper relationships, support networks, spiritual growth, and involvement in service. They share personal experiences, forming meaningful relationships through online gaming and message boards. They also address whether these relationships are real and argue they can lead to discipleship and authentic community. In this conversation, Andy and Jeff discuss the importance of building real relationships in the digital space and the role of asynchronous communication in creating community. They highlight the need for churches to embrace hybrid models that combine physical and digital interactions. They also emphasize the value of personality and humor in building community and the importance of listening and engaging with people in digital spaces. The conversation concludes with previewing upcoming events and initiatives in The Church Digital Discord server. QUOTES Paul was doing asynchronous community 2,000 years ago." "Asynchronous community is that thing that we try to derive from in all of our church engagements." "I had some of the most deep conversations that I've ever had in my entire life over a headset on my Xbox controller." "There is no barrier between digital and physical. What they see on their phone, what they grew up with, that's what they know." "The connections that we have should be led into community, and within that community is where we see discipleship happen." TIMELINE 00:00 Introduction and Overview 12:53 Defining Asynchronous Community 26:25 Are Online Relationships Real? 33:01 The Potential of Asynchronous Community for Discipleship 36:59 Building Real Relationships in the Digital Space 43:28 The Importance of Community and Discipleship 48:03 Finding Community Before Finding Christ 52:27 Taking the First Step in Building Community 01:03:56 Setting the Example for Asynchronous Communication 01:09:19 The Vision for The Church Digital Discord

Navigating the Digital Landscape: The African American Church's Path Forward

How the Digital Church is Reshaping Worship, Community, and Engagement in the African American Context

The African American church has long been a cornerstone of community, spirituality, and resistance. However, as the world shifts towards a more digital-centric approach, these churches face unique challenges and opportunities. In episode 292 of the TCD podcast, hosted by Jeff Reed, guest DK Hammonds sheds light on the state of the African American digital church, emphasizing the potential for growth and the need for a nuanced approach to technology.

The Digital Divide and Community Engagement

One of the pivotal points discussed by DK Hammonds is the "digital divide"—the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology, and those that don't. African American churches, often at the heart of communities with limited technological resources, find themselves on the challenging side of this divide. Hammonds underscores the importance of acknowledging this gap and taking proactive steps to bridge it, not only through investment in technology but also through tailored digital discipleship programs that meet community members where they are.

Hybrid Models: Integrating Digital and Physical Spaces

Hammonds advocates for the adoption of hybrid models, which blend online and offline interactions to enhance the worship experience. This approach not only helps in reaching a broader audience but also supports church members who may prefer the convenience and accessibility of digital services. A notable example is the "Barbecue Church" led by Clarence Stowers and Andre Anderson, which successfully integrates physical and digital elements to create a vibrant community space.

Quality of Digital Worship

The conversation also delves into the quality of digital worship experiences, where Hammonds stresses the need for high-quality video and sound. The effectiveness of a digital sermon, he notes, depends significantly on how well pastors can engage with their audience through these mediums. Not all pastors may naturally excel in this space, suggesting a need for training and development to help clergy adapt to these new forms of engagement.

Moving Forward: Embracing Change

In concluding, Hammonds calls for senior church leadership to embrace technological change actively. He emphasizes faith, calling, and the global outreach of ministry as core aspects that can guide African American churches as they navigate this digital transition.

Conclusion:

As African American churches map their digital pathways, the road ahead involves more than just adopting technology. It requires a clear vision for how digital tools can enhance spiritual practices, community engagement, and worship quality. The insights shared by DK Hammonds during his discussion with Jeff Reed on the TCD podcast highlight not only the challenges but also the profound opportunities for growth and outreach. Through a thoughtful and inclusive approach, the African American digital church can continue to be a powerful beacon of hope and connectivity in an increasingly digital world.

TIMECODE

0:00 Introduction, Live Recording

13:15 African Americans prefer diverse or specific worship.

16:06 Inclusion of diverse African diaspora in America.

23:42 Prioritize helping those less financially fortunate.

28:20 Many African American churches use live streams.

36:10 Promoting local church, fostering community, digital integration.

41:47 Creating digital church with real community challenge.

42:34 Hybrid model for church embraces digital services.

52:45 Have faith, be called, find passionate partners.

58:33 Understanding, empathy, truth, risky, allyship, internal work.

01:03:07 Explore podcasts, ask for guidance, do the work.

01:04:57 Sharing resources, wrapping up podcast recording. Goodbye.