A simple text group has done more to enhance the connection in my church than anything I know. Just this morning there was a prayer request… I won’t go into the details… and many responses and promises to pray. A thousand touches like this—made possible through technology—make our church closer than it has ever been. 

Technology can sometimes create distance, especially when people substitute in-person community with sitting at home and watching a worship service in their pajamas. But it’s not all bad news. In fact, there are countless ways technology can be used to enhance connection and foster meaningful relationships within the church. When used wisely, these tools can build bridges, not barriers.

Fellowship is a vital part of the Christian life, as seen in passages like Acts 2:42, where the early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” While face-to-face interaction is ideal, technology offers us tools to strengthen fellowship, even when physical proximity isn’t possible.

There real question is, “What would Jesus do?” If Jesus were alive today, would He be active on Instagram? Nora Jones says an emphatic “yes!” Here is why:

There are 168 hours in a week, but most local churches focus 90 percent of their resources on one to two hours on Sunday morning, leaving people to figure out the other 166 to 167 hours on their own. Even in the face of COVID-19, the first question on most pastors’ minds was, “How do we stream our service?” Yet the life of Jesus flies in the face of this model. He didn’t reserve his best blessings, healings, prayers, and teachings for the temple. He met people where they were and ended up unleashing a global movement after only three years of public ministry. This is why I believe if Jesus were on social media today—besides having the supercool, Instagram-and-Facebook-verified handle @JC—I believe he would be calling the Church to move beyond simply sharing content to making disciples. He would be calling us to move from social media to social ministry. And this requires a radical paradigm shift in how we do ministry today.[1]

In this chapter, we will explore practical and inspiring ways technology is helping people connect, demonstrating that meaningful fellowship can flourish in both physical and digital spaces.

1. Online Small Groups and Bible Studies

Small groups have long been the heartbeat of many churches, fostering discipleship and deeper relationships. Technology has now made it possible for these groups to meet virtually, breaking down geographical barriers and accommodating busy schedules.

Example: A young adult group from a church in Chicago started meeting over Zoom during the pandemic and found that it opened the door for new participants. Friends from other states joined in, and the group grew from 10 members to 25, spanning three time zones. One participant shared, “I feel like I’ve found a family, even though we’re spread across the country. The connection is real, and it’s strengthened my walk with God.”

Benefit: Virtual small groups enable people to stay connected even when life gets hectic, providing a lifeline of encouragement and accountability.

Potential Drawback: Leaders need to be intentional about fostering engagement to avoid participants feeling like passive viewers instead of active members.

2. Social Media for Encouragement and Connection

Social media platforms, often criticized for their potential to divide, can also be powerful tools for fostering fellowship. Many churches use private Facebook groups, Instagram pages, or even WhatsApp chats to keep their members connected throughout the week.

Example: A church in Florida created a private Facebook group called “Fellowship Connect.” Members share prayer requests, celebrate life milestones, and organize informal meet-ups. One member commented, “This group has made me feel like I belong, even when I can’t make it to church every week. It’s like having a family in my pocket.”

Feature Highlight: Instagram Stories allow churches to post real-time updates, share encouraging devotionals, and even host interactive Q&A sessions with pastors or ministry leaders.

Benefit: Social media provides a platform for everyday connection, helping members feel seen and supported beyond Sunday services.

3. Prayer Apps and Digital Prayer Walls

Prayer is a cornerstone of Christian fellowship, and technology has created new ways to share and respond to prayer requests. Apps like Echo Prayer, PrayerMate, and church-specific platforms allow believers to post, track, and pray for requests in real-time.

Example: A church in Texas integrated a digital prayer wall into their app, enabling members to share requests throughout the week. One woman shared, “When I posted my request for prayer during a difficult time, seeing the notifications of people praying for me brought me so much peace. I felt truly cared for.”

Benefit: Prayer apps create a tangible sense of community by allowing members to participate in one another’s burdens and joys, even when apart.

Challenge: Churches should ensure privacy and sensitivity when handling prayer requests to maintain trust.

4. Virtual Gatherings: Game Nights, Events, and More

Virtual fellowship events, such as online game nights, trivia contests, and movie watch parties, have become creative ways for churches to foster relationships in a relaxed setting. Platforms like Zoom, Discord, and Netflix Party make these gatherings easy to organize.

Example: A youth group in California hosted a virtual scavenger hunt over Zoom, where participants raced around their homes to find specific items. The event not only brought the teens together but also involved their families. One parent said, “This was such a creative way to bring us together—we laughed so much as a family.”

Benefit: Virtual events provide a fun and low-pressure way to build relationships, especially for those who might feel hesitant about deeper spiritual discussions.

Warning: In all these examples, we must be clear about the goal. There are no digital people. Only real, flesh-and-blood people. Emmanuel Elendu explains: 

Discipleship in the digital age is meaningless if there is no community, one-on-one influence on people. There are no virtual people on Earth. God created real people and wants us to influence our society for Him.[2]

5. Custom Church Apps for Connection

Custom apps, like those offered by Subsplash, Tithe.ly, and others, are becoming essential tools for modern churches. These apps often include features like group chats, event sign-ups, directories, and live-streamed services, all designed to facilitate connection.

Example: A church in Colorado uses their app to host discussion threads for various ministries, from women’s Bible studies to men’s hiking groups. The pastor shared, “It’s amazing how many connections happen between Sundays because of the app. People are sharing updates, planning meet-ups, and praying for each other—it’s like an ongoing community.”

Benefit: Church apps create centralized hubs for communication, making it easier for members to stay informed and engaged.

6. Virtual Mentorship and Discipleship

One-on-one mentorship has always been a cornerstone of discipleship, and technology has made it easier than ever to maintain these relationships. Platforms like FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Marco Polo allow mentors and mentees to connect regularly, regardless of distance.

Example: A pastor in New York uses weekly video calls to mentor young leaders in his congregation. One mentee said, “Even though we’re miles apart, it feels like I’m sitting across the table from him. These calls have been life-changing for my spiritual growth.”

Benefit: Virtual mentorship provides flexibility and consistency, ensuring that discipleship relationships flourish even when schedules or geography pose challenges.

7. Hybrid Fellowship Models

Many churches are now embracing a hybrid approach, combining in-person gatherings with online options to ensure inclusivity. This model allows members who can’t attend in person—due to health, travel, or other reasons—to still feel connected.

Example: A small church in Ohio livestreams its weekly fellowship hour, encouraging remote members to join discussions via chat or video call. The pastor shared, “Our hybrid model ensures that everyone, whether here or afar, feels like they’re part of the same family.”

Benefit: Hybrid models offer flexibility while maintaining a sense of unity within the church body.

8. Text Groups: Staying Connected in the Everyday

Sometimes, it’s the simplest tools that make the biggest impact. Text groups, whether through group messaging apps or basic SMS threads, have become a staple for staying connected in both families and churches. They offer a quick, easy, and personal way to share updates, prayer requests, and everyday moments. While they may not be as flashy as other technologies, their power lies in their simplicity and accessibility.

Text groups enable people to stay involved in the day-to-day happenings of their group or community. Prayer requests, updates on surgeries, announcements about kids’ events, plans for trips, and even lighthearted memes or birthday wishes can all flow through a text group. It’s the kind of connection that brings the warmth of family life into the broader church community.

The Beauty of the Mundane

Love at its best is often found in the mundane. It’s not always about grand gestures or profound moments—it’s about caring for and keeping up with the ordinary details of one another’s lives. Text groups make it easy to show that kind of love.

Example: A small group in a church in Ohio uses a simple group text thread to share updates throughout the week. One member shared, “It’s the little things, like someone saying, ‘I’m praying for you,’ or asking how my kid’s soccer game went, that make me feel loved and known. This group has become like family to me.”

Personal Story: In my own family, we have a text group that keeps us connected no matter where we are. We use it to share everything from prayer needs to funny moments and everyday updates. It’s a rhythm of life that’s not only practical but also deeply meaningful. The same goes for my church group. Our text thread has become a lifeline for staying updated and showing we care about the small, everyday details of each other’s lives.

The Simplicity of Love in Action

Text groups don’t require fancy apps or complex setups. Almost everyone has access to a phone and texting capabilities, making it a universally accessible tool.

Prayer Requests: Need immediate prayer? A quick text can rally a group to pray together in real time.

Support: Whether someone’s child has a big exam or a loved one is in surgery, text groups create a space for instant support and encouragement.

Celebrations: Birthdays, anniversaries, and accomplishments can all be shared and celebrated through texts, fostering a sense of togetherness.

A Tool for the Church Family

In a world that can often feel isolating, text groups provide a constant thread of connection. They’re not about replacing deeper interactions but enhancing them—keeping the bonds of fellowship alive between Sunday services or small group meetings.

As Paul writes in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Text groups allow us to do exactly that, sharing life’s highs and lows in real time and reminding each other that we’re not alone.

Texting might seem like a simple tool, but in the context of fellowship, it becomes a channel for love, care, and connection. Whether in families or churches, it’s a way to live out our faith in the everyday, showing that the love of Christ is present even in the most ordinary moments.

Finding Balance: Technology as a Tool, Not a Replacement

While technology offers incredible opportunities to strengthen fellowship, it should always be seen as a tool, not a replacement for face-to-face community. The goal is to use these tools to enhance connection, not to isolate or encourage passive participation.