EP290 - Jeff Talks New Website, Discord, and a New Online Era

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In an age where digital presence has become integral to every organization, TCD is no exception. Ep290 of TCD podcast reveals a transformative period for our digital church. Helmed by host Jeff Reed and his leadership team including Andy Mage, Barbara Carnero, JMO, Jason Morris, and flat cap Layton, TCD is marching into a new era of online engagement and spiritual outreach. The unveiling of our new website, the move to Discord, and an invigorating branding overhaul highlight our renewed commitment to fostering community and faith in the digital realm.

Recognizing the importance of an updated online home, TCD has launched a new website designed to streamline our digital presence. Since 2018, the website had not seen significant updates—until now. Barbara Carnero was pivotal in understanding and crafting a web design that reflects TCD’s vision. By incorporating people-focused elements and reducing clutter from multiple calls-to-action, we aim to create a simplified, direct path to community building. This is a space where technology doesn't overshadow human touch, where images of life within our digital community take center stage over excessive digital effects.

In a strategic move to enhance interaction and fellowship, TCD transitions from Mighty Networks to Discord. This new platform choice reflects a keen understanding of demographic preferences, particularly the adeptness of Discord users with technology. With the launch of our Discord server, we invite our community to engage more deeply and dynamically. This innovative approach is a testament to our adaptability and commitment to leveraging modern tools for spiritual connection.

In this episode, Jeff Reed shares a personal, poignant narrative of health struggles and the mental battle with theodicy. His transparency shines a light on the all-too-human aspect of leadership and underscores the need for a distributed, supportive community within TCD. The commitment to power through challenges and the surprise announcement regarding leadership hint at exciting developments, reinforcing that our mission is not mere branding, but service unto God.

Jeff Reed elaborates on the importance of allowing technology to further the mission of the church. This episode celebrates the collaboration with Riverside for superior recording quality, a move that represents TCD’s investment in high-caliber content delivery. With the livestreaming capabilities on Discord, the podcast aims to transcend cultural and environmental barriers, bringing the message of TCD to new digital frontiers.

As TCD reaches out through various social media platforms, facing challenges such as trademark issues and portraying a consistent identity, Jeff sheds light on the principle of being active and judged not by worldly standards but by our mission field and character. Engaging anecdotes, including a lighthearted recount of an interaction with John MacArthur, demonstrate the importance of staying true to our calling amidst social media's vast and often critical landscape.

As TCD aligns its leadership and community strategies with the digital church framework, we are setting the stage for a new chapter characterized by connection, discipleship, and multiplication. The podcast concludes with Jeff encouraging patience as we engage with the beta phase of new digital endeavors and draws parallels to Gmail's humble beginnings. His call for equipment and experimentation within our digital model signifies a bold willingness to redefine what church looks like in the 21st century.

The TCD podcast EP290 not only charts the trajectory of our church digital journey but also bares the soul of a community that is evolving, persevering, and embracing new possibilities in digital discipleship and church planting. It's a narrative of adaptation, faith, and action—a digital testament to our shared commitment to make the digital church a refuge and beacon in the virtual world.

Host: Jeff Reed
Founder, The Church Digital