Why Online Church Is Not The Solution

A framework for what really works in Digital Ministry

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced churches around the world to move online, many believed this shift would redefine how we connect and worship. Screens became the sanctuary, and digital platforms the new pulpit.

But now, years later, as we reflect on the changes, it’s clear something deeper may be missing.

In his powerful book Online Church Is Not The Answer, Jay Kranda challenges everything we’ve come to believe about digital ministry.

He invites us to rethink the role of technology in church and rediscover what it truly means to foster authentic community and discipleship.

➡️ And to help you unpack his ideas, I’ve created a free study guide that makes it easier to turn insights into action.

Jay Kranda wrote Online Church Is Not the Answer to address the growing challenges churches face in the digital era, especially after the widespread adoption of online services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the Online Community Pastor at Saddleback Church, Jay has spent over a decade exploring how digital tools can enhance ministry, but he also recognizes their limitations when it comes to fostering genuine discipleship and community.

Kranda’s mission is clear: while online platforms can support and expand a church’s reach, they cannot replace the transformative power of face-to-face connections.

This book serves as a framework for churches navigating a hybrid future, offering practical strategies to integrate digital tools while staying rooted in biblical principles and in-person community.

Key Problems Addressed in the Book

1. The Illusion of Connection
   Online platforms can make it seem like we’re building connections, but these often lack depth. Watching a livestream or participating in a virtual event doesn’t necessarily lead to meaningful relationships.

Jay emphasizes, “True discipleship requires proximity, accountability, and shared life—things that are hard to achieve through screens alone”​.

2. Over-Reliance on Digital Spaces
   Many churches have become too dependent on online strategies, neglecting the irreplaceable value of physical gatherings.

Kranda warns against this imbalance, stating, “Digital tools are a supplement, not a substitute, for the church’s mission of incarnational ministry”​.

3. The Gap Between Online and Offline
   A significant challenge lies in bridging the gap between digital engagement and in-person discipleship. Jay highlights how this transition can be seamless with intentional strategies, such as using online small groups to foster relationships that eventually move offline​.

For church leaders and ministry teams, this book is essential reading. It provides clarity on how to navigate the complexities of digital ministry in a way that aligns with the church’s core mission.

Whether your church is just beginning to embrace online tools or looking to refine its digital strategies, Online Church Is Not the Answer equips you with the insights needed to effectively engage both digital and in-person communities.

Key Takeaways from Online Church Is Not the Answer

Jay Kranda’s book offers a thought-provoking framework for ministry in the digital age.

Here are three transformative ideas from the book:

1. Online Church Should Supplement, Not Replace, In-Person Connection

Jay argues that online church is a powerful tool for expanding reach but cannot replace the irreplaceable value of face-to-face relationships. While digital platforms provide convenience, they often lack the depth needed for authentic community.

Jay sums it up perfectly:

“The church is critical to what God is doing here on earth… whatever your church does, even online, can’t be disconnected from what God wants his bride to be doing” (Chapter 2, page 35).

Digital tools must serve, not overshadow, this mission.

Real-Life Example:

At Saddleback Church, where Jay serves, their online strategy focuses on funneling digital attendees into physical gatherings whenever possible. For instance, they’ve developed an “Extension Strategy,” which encourages online participants in remote areas to start small groups and eventually form in-person micro-sites. This approach ensures that online engagement becomes a stepping stone to real-life community​.

2. Digital Tools Are Only as Effective as the Relational Strategies Behind Them

Kranda highlights a common pitfall: focusing on technology without a clear plan for building relationships.

The best digital tools mean little if they don’t foster genuine engagement. He advocates for intentional strategies that help online attendees transition into deeper involvement, whether through small groups, discipleship programs, or in-person gatherings.

Practical Application:

Saddleback’s monthly Zoom discipleship classes provide a model for integrating relational strategies into digital ministry. These classes are designed not just to teach but to connect participants with each other, forming the relational bonds that digital church often struggles to create. The success of this program lies in its emphasis on building a digital core of engaged, discipled participants rather than merely growing an online audience​.

3. Real Discipleship Happens in Community, Not in Isolation

Jay emphasizes that discipleship is more than consuming sermons or attending events; it’s about life-on-life relationships.

Accountability, encouragement, and spiritual growth flourish in the context of authentic community. Online platforms often struggle to replicate this depth.

The Importance of Community:

Consider this: Jesus didn’t disciple the Twelve from afar; He walked with them, ate with them, and shared His life. Jay reflects this in the book, saying, “Programs and platforms can’t replace the messy, beautiful process of walking alongside someone in their faith journey.”

Digital ministry should enhance, not replace, these shared experiences.

Real-Life Example:

A particularly moving story from the book describes how an online attendee in Rwanda was connected to a local church through Saddleback’s online ministry. Despite the geographic distance, the church facilitated his baptism and ongoing discipleship through local connections, showcasing how digital ministry can bridge gaps but must always lead to in-person relationships​.

Online church isn’t the ultimate answer—but it’s part of a larger, more meaningful solution. Let’s reclaim the beauty of connection, discipleship, and community together.

Want to Dig Deeper?

To explore these principles further and begin applying them in your ministry, download my free "unofficial" study guide for Online Church Is Not the Answer.

Get a copy of the book here.

Jesse Carbo leads Digital Missions Project and has pastored in the local church since 1995. He's been married to his high school sweetheart for almost 30 years and they have had the privilege of raising 4 kids. He lives in Miami, FL but dreams of being a cowboy one day just like on Yellowstone.