The Replaceable Church

You Can't Fear What You Aren't

As a digital church plant pastor, I see it as my mission to learn as much as possible to navigate the complex, ever-changing digital landscape that is my calling. Digital church is confusing, exhilarating, and overwhelming—and I’m all in.

I love it so much that I consider it my duty to stay connected with the best minds in the field. This means a lot of reading. Then more reading. And when I’m done with that? Even more reading.

Most of the time, I learn something new with each new trending entry to the scholastic mountain, but some unwanted tropes show up far too often.

If there’s one phrase I’m ready to retire, it’s this tired disclaimer:

"Online church isn’t here to replace the traditional church."

Cue my dramatic eye-roll.

Seriously, can we agree that this point has been proven already? Theologians, scholars, and even the most ardent skeptics have dissected this to the core. We’ve done the deep dive and backed it scripturally and experientially. It’s time to move on.

Instead of dwelling on what online church isn’t, let’s talk about what physical churches should be: irreplaceable.

Becoming Irreplaceable

Seth Godin’s book Linchpin makes the case that the most valuable person in any organization is the one who’s indispensable.

The creative, the problem-solver, the one willing to go beyond just following the map—they are the ones who thrive. The opposite of this linchpin mindset? The person who is afraid—afraid of being replaced, afraid of what they don’t understand.

And here’s the irony: fear of being replaced is what makes you replaceable.

The truth is that the digital church doesn’t intend to replace the traditional church. But whether it will or not? Well, that’s entirely up to the traditional church.

If you’re worried about being replaced, maybe it’s time to ask: What makes you irreplaceable?

Be the best version of yourself.

Offer something so vital, so uniquely compelling, that no one could imagine replacing you.

The digital church isn’t your competition.
It’s not something to fear.
It’s a partner. A tool. An extension.

But, importantly, it doesn’t define (or replace) your ministry.

As my friend Jim Keat points out, it doesn’t technically exist. We’re all doing this ministry thing, and our goal is every tribe, tongue, and nation… so we’ll need to look many different ways.

World 2-6 Complete

If you want to stay relevant in this ever-changing landscape, don’t spend your energy worrying about whether the online church is coming for you. Instead, focus on being the kind of church that no one wants to replace.

Be indispensable. Be the linchpin.

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Q: Why was the pastor's laptop so light?
A: It had the 'Word' but no heavy burdens.