Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Original Research - Special Collection: South African Science and Religion Forum
The reconfiguration of social, digital and physical presence: From online church to church online
Submitted: 02 August 2020 | Published: 17 June 2021
About the author(s)
Anthony-Paul Cooper, Centre for Church Growth Research, Cranmer Hall, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom; Department of Computing, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku, Turku, FinlandSamuli Laato, Department of Computing, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Suvi Nenonen, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of the Built Environment, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
Nicolas Pope, Department of Computing, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
David Tjiharuka, Department of Human Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
Erkki Sutinen, Department of Computing, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
Abstract
Digital presence refers to technologies that provide communities a shared experience and a sense of togetherness, despite geographical distance. Emerging technologies for digital presence provide the church with both theological questions (e.g. related to the validity of sacraments when administered online) and practical opportunities. Think of the pros and cons for online communion in some churches: is digital presence real presence? The digital realm as a thread of the universe leads to rethinking of the church as a social, digital and physical unity. What kind of new possibilities could digital presence in digital realities provide to spiritual experience, individually and within the worship?
Contribution: Rather than a plain application of the existing technologies to digitise the current functions and events of congregations for online services, technology should expand and reform the church online. This study aims to discuss the transformation from online church to church online. The technical solution for digital presence was inspired by the demands of a Finnish plug-in campus in an African setting, which draws inspiration from African concepts of community and place.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 6306Total article views: 7032
Crossref Citations
1. Teologi Persekutuan Jemaat dalam Era Digital: Tinjauan Kepustakaan
Ndawa Kaborang
Anoteros: Jurnal Teologi vol: 2 issue: 2 first page: 96 year: 2024
doi: 10.66511/anoterosjt.v2i2.71
2. Redeeming the Future: Exploring the Theological Implications of Transhumanism in Missions
Tony Salurante, Malik, Mozes Lawalata
Pharos Journal of Theology issue: 105(5) year: 2024
doi: 10.46222/pharosjot.105.514
3. Sacraments in the context of Digital religion: How to respond
Sonny Eli Zaluchu
Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies year: 2026
doi: 10.1177/02653788261424198
4. Digital religion and Generation Z: an empirical study in the context of China
Zhi Liu, Arsalan Mujahid Ghouri, Jing Wang, Changqing Lin
Frontiers in Psychology vol: 16 year: 2025
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1536644
5. Preliminary thoughts on the interplay between face, masking and self-presentation in a liturgical-ecclesiological praxeology in a pandemic time
Ferdi P. Kruger
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies vol: 78 issue: 1 year: 2022
doi: 10.4102/hts.v78i1.7541
6. Churches’ online ministries as strategic communication
Hans-Olav Hodøl
Journal of Contemporary Religion vol: 39 issue: 3 first page: 443 year: 2024
doi: 10.1080/13537903.2024.2420457
7. Benefits and Challenges of Delivering Meditation Instruction Live Online: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic Regarding Accessibility and Connection
Savannah V. VandenBos, Jennifer J. Pokorny, Alea C. Skwara, Serigne M. Diaw, Brandon G. King, Anthony P. Zanesco, Kamilah Majied, Clifford D. Saron, Quinn A. Conklin
Mindfulness vol: 16 issue: 5 first page: 1230 year: 2025
doi: 10.1007/s12671-025-02556-1
8. Membangun Masyarakat Digital Yang Beretika: Mengintegrasikan Nilai-Nilai Kristen Di Era Teknologi Digital 5.0
Elfin Warnius Waruwu, Mozes Lawalata
Didache: Journal of Christian Education vol: 5 issue: 1 year: 2024
doi: 10.46445/djce.v5i1.747
9. Ecclesiological hybridity and the limits of pastoral authority: the experiences of South African pastors during Covid-19
Prof Vhumani Magezi, Dr Christopher Magezi
Pharos Journal of Theology year: 2026
doi: 10.46222/pharosjot.107.33
10. Media sebagai Agen Perubahan Komunitas di Era Teknologi Digital
Muhamad Fauzan, Eko Purwanto, Hilal Dzaki Naufal Jupri, Putri Sulistyo Dewi
Jurnal Bisnis dan Komunikasi Digital vol: 2 issue: 4 first page: 15 year: 2025
doi: 10.47134/jbkd.v2i4.4369
11. Digital Transformation Strategies Used by Church Leaders to Increase Revenues and Meet Budgetary Goals
Lee Riley, Kim Critchlow
Open Journal of Business and Management vol: 13 issue: 05 first page: 3679 year: 2025
doi: 10.4236/ojbm.2025.135198
12. Descriptive empirical perspectives on participants’ attitudes on virtual worship services kindle an ineluctable revisiting of ecclesial assumptions in a post-pandemic world
Ferdinand P. Kruger
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies vol: 77 issue: 4 year: 2021
doi: 10.4102/hts.v77i4.7125
13. Virtual Sacred Spaces and AI-Augmented Pilgrimage Experiences in the Digital Era
Dr. Shankar Subramanian Iyer, Dr Brinitha Raji
International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering Management & Applied Science vol: 15 issue: 5 first page: 1749 year: 2026
doi: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150500137
