Congregational Creativity: Contextual Faithfulness and Deliberate Planning in a Post-COVID, AI Era

By Aynsley Vermilya and Featuring Josh Lavender

A Culture Transformed

The world hasn’t been the same in the post-COVID era. From the increase in remote work to the ever-evolving use of artificial intelligence, the digitization of our culture is undeniable. Yet in a post-COVID, AI era, the Church has seen itself changing in a different direction: toward roots in deep human connection.

Reclaiming In-Person Worship

Over the last few years, worship environments have begun shifting. Even though culture has swung more toward digital innovation, people in the Church have begun to recognize how much they need to be in community, which has tremendous implications for our approach to corporate worship. We were created for face-to-face connection. So while congregations use digital tools—like the rest of the world does—there’s a renewed emphasis on gathering in person, from worship services to mealtimes around the table. And this return stems from a hunger for meaningful connection.

From Transactional to Relational

The way believers interact with each other in corporate worship seems to be shifting from transactional to relational, inviting those who lead services to create environments where the “temperature” of the room isn’t determined solely by people or schedules, but by the Spirit. One young adult worship leader shared, “As much as we love having services end on time, we’re also finding that people are willing to linger and listen... not just to the music, but to each other.”

Simplifying for the Sake of Meaning

Worship is being understood as a dialogue with God and his people that requires active involvement from congregants. This push toward a familial environment has been accompanied by a corresponding move toward simplification. Worshippers don’t care as much for the flash and the entertainment – they want deep connections that don’t require anything more than a room to gather in.

The Role of Digital Tools

It should be noted that all digital tools are neither bad nor useless for the Church. Online gatherings (like video conferencing) have become some of the most-used tools over the last five years, helping believers gather and connect in real and meaningful ways. But in people’s experiences of their congregation, these are the side dishes, not the feast. Gathering together in a room is still the main and most-enjoyed, most nourishing congregational offering.

The Church’s Next Step

Church leaders may not know what to do during this shift. Our consumption-based culture prompts us to try to create something that grabs people’s attention and brings them in. This is not an inherently bad desire. The goal, after all, is to help people live out the Good News. But two things will stick around way longer than any production or attention-grabbing efforts.

1. Relationships

Jesus ministered to people through personal connection. He loved them and met their needs both physically and spiritually. Humans long to be seen and known, and the Church can make the most difference by loving people well and doing life in community. So, church leaders are best served to spend their time investing in relationships rather than creating content or putting on a big production, trusting that the Lord will bless their efforts.

2. Recognizing the Presence of Jesus

If Jesus were to walk into our worship services, could we keep going with our plans? What would we feel like we need to change? When we gather in worship, Jesus is in the room. So, how do we plan well? Do our plans allow for the presence of the Lord to have full authority over the room? Is what we’re planning aware of him? In order to plan in a way that makes space for the Spirit to move requires leaders to commit to personal communing with God, having their own relationship with him, and a true life in prayer. Believers will quickly find that this is the best place to lead from.

An Invitation to the Table

Building communities is going to be how the Church continues in our modern world. There have been times in church history when expertise and the sharing of information have been perceived as the most important things, and while it is still an important element, we are seeing a need for relationships that are just as important. We have to remember that what we do in our gatherings is meet with God, not just meet about God. We get to interact with the living God, so how might we, as church leaders, help others meet with God with the tools we have? It’s possible that this could be a moment when God is inviting his people to slow down, come back around the table, and find his presence among fellow believers who are seeking the face of Jesus together.