When Baptist Union Council identified the digital revolution as a key priority area back in 2018, there wasn’t too much material on which to base an edition of this magazine. Clearly there have been huge developments in digital technology and our use of it since then, notably how Covid and its accompanying lockdowns catapulted us into running online church. But of course, as Lynn Green states, hosting such services is only ‘the tip of a very big iceberg… Grappling with issues about developing digital mission and the massive theological issues of what it means to be human in a world of AI all lie before us.’

The pages that follow represent a snapshot of some of the thinking and stories of churches engaged in digital mission across the denomination.  

It’s a fast-moving world and there is lots to ponder. Questions explored in this edition include:

• How do we reach the 53m people in the UK who have social media with the gospel of Jesus? What does it look like to collaborate with Jesus on social media?
• How can we be more connected beyond Sunday - both informally, face-to-face, and on Zoom?
• Is intelligence only the property of humans? Can an intelligent machine be in a relationship?
• Can AI sin - and what would that look like?  

We hope the articles and stories in this edition provide much food for thought, and help deepen your understanding of the digital revolution and its possibilities.

As one of our writers states: ‘It’s easy to think the Bible might not have much to say about 21st century technology, but of course it does. We’ve been creating tools and technology for the whole of human history. The Bible does not condemn tools or technology as inherently evil. It shows how they can be employed for both good and evil purposes.’

What does it mean to effectively harness the digital revolution for the sake of the Kingdom?

The main articles in the magazine are featured below: