CLICK HERE TO Listen To The Full Discussion Of This Decision On The UnSeminary Podcast
Bridgetown Church, a prominent church in Portland, Oregon, recently published a video featuring their lead pastor, Tyler Staton, announcing a significant change in their approach to digital ministry. The punch line? Bridgetown Church cancels live streaming. In the video, Pastor Staton shared that starting March 24th, the church will no longer offer a full live stream of their Sunday worship gatherings. For such a prominent church, the decision to can the worship service live stream one week before Easter Sunday is a big one.
Notably, this direction regarding digital ministry seems to align with the principles outlined in the book “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World,” written by Bridgetown Church's founding pastor, John Mark Comer.
The rise of live streaming in churches has been a notable trend, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when lockdowns and social distancing measures prevented in-person gatherings. Like many churches, Bridgetown Church successfully utilized live streaming technology to keep their congregation connected and engaged during this challenging time. However, as restrictions have eased and in-person services have resumed, many churches are reevaluating their commitments to live streaming.
The church will no longer offer live streams of the services available after March 24, 2024 (one week before Easter).
What's interesting is that Bridgetown assumedly is an outlier in that they may not have trouble staffing live streaming activities, or budget. In fact, church online campuses can be a revenue generator for churches and may certainly do so for Bridgetown in particular. So their decision is a strategic one driven by ministry philosophy, not constraints of budget, resources, and staffing.
However most churches aren't in the same position as Bridgetown in terms of public awareness, attendance, etc.
While probably not the actual spark or fundamental reason for the decision, when you read Comer's book, you see his arguments that the fast pace of modern life, fueled by technology and constant busyness, can have a detrimental effect on our emotional and spiritual well-being. He advocates for intentionally slowing down and creating space for rest, contemplation, and connection with God and others. Bridgetown Church's move to discontinue their full live stream and focus on local in-person gatherings appears to be a practical application of these principles, emphasizing the importance of peer-to-peer live and in person experiences that allow for fundamental community building.
As noted by Bridgetown Church's lead pastor, Tyler Staton, the church will continue to offer videos of the teaching portion from every Sunday worship gathering in both video and audio formats on their website and podcast platforms. Community members might be shocked when it hears that Bridgetown Church Cancels Live Streaming — But the church's sermons will remain accessible to those who cannot attend in person or prefer to engage with the content at their own pace.
The church's shift does have implications for different segments of their current audience. Local attendees who occasionally relied on the live stream are encouraged to prioritize in-person attendance and participation in midweek community groups. Those who have benefited from the live stream as a supplement to their spiritual growth while attending other churches will still have access to the teaching.
However, groups that have relied on Bridgetown Church's live stream as their primary form of worship are encouraged to find a local church community to gather with and live out their faith together.
Bridgetown Church's announcement has ignited a discussion about the balance between online and in-person engagement in the church. While some argue that live streaming is essential for reaching a wider audience and accommodating diverse needs, others believe that prioritizing in-person gatherings fosters deeper connections and spiritual growth. As churches navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by technology, they must carefully consider how to leverage digital platforms while maintaining the essence of community and fellowship.
The long-term impact of Bridgetown Church's decision remains to be seen, but it serves as a catalyst for a much-needed dialogue about the evolving role of digital ministry. As the world continues to change and technology advances, churches will need to continuously assess how to effectively engage with their congregations and communities, both online and offline. Finding the right balance will require prayerful discernment, open-mindedness, and a willingness to adapt while remaining grounded in the timeless values of faith and community.
ChurchTechToday.com has contacted the church for comment, but as of this article's publication time, we have not received a response.
Here is the full text of the video announcement about the halting of full end-to-end church online services at Bridgetown Church Portland:
Hey Bridgetown family, I want to share with you an important announcement for the life of our church. Sunday March 24th will be the last time that we offer a full live stream for our Sunday worship gathering. We will continue to offer the full teaching from every Sunday worship gathering in both video and audio format. So you'll still be able to access, like you always have in the life of this church, every teaching from every Bridgetown worship gathering on video on our website or on podcasts wherever it is that you listen and get your podcasts. The vision of our church is in Portland as it is in heaven. And so I want you to know the heart behind this decision is to continue to live in line with that vision. That's always been our vision and it always will be our vision.
There was a time in the history of this church, as we navigate the complexity of a global pandemic, when offering our full Sunday worship gathering on live stream was absolutely essential for us to live out that vision together. And thankfully now safely on the other side of that complex time, a full Sunday worship gathering that can be viewed from anywhere and everywhere is no longer an essential toward living that vision. Should it become again, would we consider re-offering a live stream? Of course we would. This simply isn't that time and we're grateful for that. So this decision will affect different groups of people in different ways. So I want to address those different groups of people. First, for those of you who are here in Portland and consider Bridgetown your church home and might have benefited from this live stream when you're traveling or just unable to make it to church that Sunday or something like that, let this just be one more invitation to gather in person in local community on Sundays around the stage and midweek around the table in homes in Bridgetown communities. That has been the heartbeat of our church and the invitation from day one and continues to be. It is our belief that the future of the church is ancient and part of the ancient way of God's people is gathering together in person in local community to live out the way of Jesus. So, you're invited to come and to do that with us.
And then there will be those of you who have benefited from the Bridgetown livestream as a supplement to your apprenticeship to Jesus elsewhere. So if you have found the teaching of this church helpful as you attend another local church in another city or something like that, first I just wanna say what an honor and privilege it is that something of what God is doing in our local community might be helping you follow Jesus where you are. And we hope that by continuing to offer the teaching, we can continue to supplement your apprenticeship to Jesus right where you are.
And then finally, there will be some of you who are gathering together in homes or smaller communities and the Bridgetown livestream has actually served to be the primary expression of worship by which you have gathered together and tried to form community and apprentice to Jesus in a local group somewhere outside of the city of Portland. And again, I want to say first, I'm so grateful that something of the life of this church has helped you to follow Jesus and to form that type of community. And I want to give you a two-part invitation. The first is the sincere hope that by continuing to offer our teaching that you would continue to be helped by the ministry of this church. But the second is a call to find yourself locally rooted in a community of Jesus followers in the local place where you are.
I hope that our teaching will continue to help you follow Jesus, but that you will also live this ancient way in your local place by finding a local community with whom you can gather and live out the way of Jesus life on life with other people. Whoever you are, wherever you are, blessing and peace to you as you seek to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
Carey Nieuwhof Weighs In On The Decision
Exclusive Podcast Discussion Of This Decision Is Available On The UnSeminary Podcast with Rich Birch & Kenny Jahng
Some highlights from the podcast episode discussion:
- Bridgetown will continue providing the full teaching in video and audio podcast formats, but will stop live streaming the entire service. This intentional decision aligns with their vision of being a local church focused on impacting Portland.
- Many churches are re-evaluating live streaming due to resource constraints post-COVID. Only 42% of churches surveyed recently in Pushpay's State of Church Tech report felt live streaming would play a key role in the coming years, down from 91% during the pandemic.
- Live streaming can still serve as a local front door, with over 50% of views often coming from within driving distance of the church. Bridgetown's focus on reaching their local community is commendable.
- Live streams have the opportunity to provide inclusivity for those with anxiety, disabilities, or who aren't ready to attend in person. It's a tool to reach people that shouldn't be abandoned too quickly.
- Any decision on ministry investments like this should be thoughtfully considered by the church's team. It's okay to alter course over time as things evolve.
- The key is picking a few channels to engage your community and doing those with excellence, rather than trying to do everything. Build a tech stack that fits your church's needs and strategy.
To be clear, Rich and Kenny affirm Bridgetown's heart to reach Portland, while providing balanced insights and advice for church leaders wrestling with similar live streaming decisions. Listen in for more perspective on this important topic for the future of the church.
