Let's Get Phygital
It’s a term that has been used to describe the “new normal” for almost every facet of society moving out of the pandemic of 2020. Phygital is the concept of using technology to bridge the digital world with the physical world with the purpose of providing unique interactive experiences for the user.
Up until now, our experiences have been primary physical. The church has thrived on the physical gathering of people. Our methodology has been built on the assumption that people will be in the room. Small groups, classes, Sunday gatherings, board meetings, mentoring, counselling... All of it assumes a physical attendance.
The Pandemic forced us into a digital world that wasn’t as bad as we thought it would be. Once meetings of 2 or more were no longer permitted, churches had to pivot to doing everything in the digital space. Small groups, classes, Sunday gatherings, board meetings, mentoring, counselling all moved on line. And, although it wasn’t optimal, it wasn’t as bad as we thought it would be. Connections still happened, people were still ministered to, the gospel was still preached, and we discovered that the Holy Spirit can work through pixels as much as he can work in the atmosphere in our gatherings. We learned that “where 2 or more are gathered” could include “online” and we still felt His presence.
Phygital forces us to think different. Where most of us think of our churches as physical organizations with a digital footprint, the concept of phygital will require us to think of our church as a digital organization with a physical footprint. Here are 4 shifts that will need to occur:
Phygital churches have a robust online presence. From online services to social media, phygital church will be highly active in the digital space. Just like a church parking lot might be full every day, the phygital church “digital space” will be active every day and people will take note. From digital outreach to digital health, the phygital church will be noticed in the online world.
Phygital churches have clear and obvious next steps for digital engagement.Most churches are developing a discipleship pathway for church members; an intentional pathway for someone who is far from God to become fully devoted disciples of Jesus. This same pathway needs to be created in the digital world with the desired outcome that someone can become a fully integrated member of your church without ever setting foot in your building.
Phygital churches are global churches. We know of local churches, and even regional churches, but is it possible for a church in rural Alberta to be a global church? Yes it is. But, it will mean that you need to communicate differently. You will need to speak to multiple audiences (local, regional global) who may be viewing at different times (real time, same year, different year). And this means your announcements, programming, calls for giving, and preaching needs to speak to both the people watching in your community and the people watching 10,000 kilometers away. Intentional communication and mindfulness will increase your effectiveness in ministering to a hurting world.
Phygital churches think digital first.When you’re a physical only church, every resource goes to the physical location and gathering. When you’re a digital church with a physical footprint, you’ll need to allocate the resources appropriately. A financial commitment to technology and the deployment of online pastoral work will be vital to the work of a digital church.
Is this different than how we used to do things? Yes. Is this daunting? Absolutely. Is this possible? You bet it is. Like Paul, we have the opportunity to use the “Roman Road” of our day to advance the spread of the Gospel to the entire world. “How beautiful are the pixels that bring good news” (My translation)
We have a great training on the 5 Levels of Online Church that you can access for free.
How are you getting phygital? https://vimeo.com/418416779