Faithful Dissent
Two voices, one conversation- faithfully interrogating the world. Hosts Brian Metzger and James Farlow explore changes in politics and culture through the lens of faith and the search for meaning. Faithful Dissent brings laughter, story, and fun debates to topics that can divide us but that we can't escape. No drama, no forced narratives, and everyone is welcome!
Faithful Dissent
Clicking on Church: Digital Worship and the Question of Presence
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In this episode of Faithful Dissent, James and Brian explore how the digital revolution has reshaped church life—from livestream services during the pandemic to the ongoing debate about what counts as real worship. Is online church an extension of embodied faith, or does it diminish the communal and physical nature of Christian life?
Together, they discuss:
- The history of televised and streamed services before and after COVID-19.
- The creativity and strain of leading worship online during the pandemic.
- Communion in a digital space—what was gained and what was lost.
- Why some churches embraced livestreaming while others shut it down.
- Theological reflections on embodiment, discipleship, and formation in a digital age.
- The enduring tension between accessibility and the need for in-person community.
This conversation wrestles with the costs and opportunities of digital church, asking what it means to pursue embodied faith when screens are always just a click away.
You can find the link to the Tish Warren article we referenced in the notes here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/30/opinion/church-online-services-covid.html
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