In this edition of ReachRight Mailbag, we’re tackling one of the boldest questions in church circles today:
Are we heading toward a future where the church exists entirely online and physical gatherings disappear?
As digital tools reshape how we connect, teach, and worship, this is a question church leaders can’t ignore. Some see the rise of online ministry as a natural next step. Others are worried it’s pulling us away from the very heart of what makes church… church.
Plus, we’ll also be answering some of the other great questions we’ve received from our audience—on topics like AI, social media tools, and whether Google’s newest search update will make the Ad Grant less effective.
Let’s dive in.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Table of contents
Is the Future of Church 100% Online?
This is the big one.
A listener asked: “Do you think the future of the church is entirely online? Will church buildings even be needed?”
It’s a fair question. After all, nearly every church now has a livestream. Many offer online-only small groups. Some churches operate without a building at all, meeting exclusively on Zoom or in digital spaces like Facebook or Discord.
So, could we be headed for a day when the only church service is a livestream, and every sermon is consumed on demand?
Here’s our take: The future of the church is definitely more digital, but not 100% online.
Why Online Church Isn’t Going Away
Online ministry has opened massive doors for outreach. People can attend services from anywhere. Homebound members stay connected. New visitors can “test-drive” a church before ever setting foot inside.
Online platforms also give churches the chance to reach people during moments when they need it most. A stressed-out parent searching for prayer at 2 a.m. might find your church through a YouTube clip or a blog post.
So yes, digital is here to stay. But…
Why Church Buildings Still Matter
Church isn’t just content. It’s a community.
At its core, the church has always been about gathering. Sharing meals. Laying hands in prayer. Watching a child get baptized. Singing shoulder to shoulder. These things are hard to replicate through screens.
Online tools are great for reach. But spiritual formation still thrives best in physical, messy, in-person relationships.
The churches that are thriving in 2025 are the ones that use online tools to enhance in-person gatherings, not replace them.
The question is not “Online or in person?” It’s “How can we use every tool available to help people experience Christ-centered community?”
Should Churches Use AI, Or Is It Like Witchcraft?
A listener wrote in with a serious concern:
“I’ve heard that AI is demonic or even witchcraft. Should churches even use it?”
Let’s unpack that.
First: Where the Fear Comes From
AI is a mystery to many church members. The idea that a computer can generate sermons, graphics, or even music feels unsettling. And in some Christian circles, any mysterious or powerful tool gets labeled “evil” by default.
We get the concern, but let’s be clear.
What AI Actually Is (And Isn’t)
AI is not a spirit. It’s not a demon. It’s not a living thing.
It is a technology built on data. It’s essentially advanced autocomplete, trained on massive amounts of written and visual content. AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude or Midjourney don’t have a mind or will. They generate content based on patterns in their training data.
They’re powerful. But they’re still just tools.
Where Discernment Matters
AI can absolutely be misused. It can tempt leaders to skip prayerful preparation. It can be used to create fake content or manipulate emotions. And it can easily become a crutch if not grounded in biblical truth and spiritual discernment.
But the same was true of the printing press, the radio, the internet, and every major communication tool in history.
The difference lies in how we use it.
So no. AI is not witchcraft. But it is something we need to use with humility, wisdom, and accountability.
Will Google AI Overview Kill the Ad Grant?
Here’s another great one:
“With Google rolling out AI Overviews in search results, will anyone even see our Google Ads anymore?”
Short answer: Not yet, and probably not for a long time.
Here’s why:
- AI Overviews sit below the ads, not above. Sponsored ads still get top priority on the results page.
- Google Ads (including those run through the Ad Grant) are still extremely effective, especially for local search terms like “church near me” or “family-friendly churches in [city].”
- AI Overviews often pull content from websites and ad results, meaning your site could get featured in both.
That said, things are changing fast.
To future-proof your church marketing strategy, you need:
- Well-written, helpful pages that Google’s AI sees as authoritative
- Strong ad copy that speaks to real needs
- A plan for adapting your church website as user behavior shifts
So no. The Google Ad Grant isn’t dead. But how you manage it will matter more than ever.
What’s the Best Social Media Manager for Churches?
A listener asked:
“We’re tired of logging into five platforms a day. What’s the best social media management tool for churches?”
Great question.
Here are our top picks right now:
1. Loomly
Great for teams who want scheduling, approvals, and a visual calendar view without too much clutter.
2. Buffer
Simple, affordable, and great for smaller teams who don’t need fancy analytics.
3. Later
Perfect for churches that prioritize Instagram and want tools to visually plan content.
4. Hootsuite
Still an option, but honestly, it’s gotten a bit clunky and overpriced for what most churches need.
Bonus Tip:
Whichever platform you use, your success depends more on the content than the tool. Schedule posts, yes, but also build time for engagement, replies, and community-building.
Does ReachRight Help Nonprofits Too?
This one’s simple:
“We’re a nonprofit, not a church. Can ReachRight help us with the Google Ad Grant?”
Yes, we can.
While we specialize in serving churches, our team also manages digital marketing and Ad Grant strategies for:
- Faith-based nonprofits
- Christian schools and universities
- Outreach ministries
- Crisis support organizations
- And other 501(c)(3) groups
We bring the same strategy, reporting, and optimization services to these clients as we do for churches.
So if you’re not a church but still want to make the most of your $10,000/month in free Google ads, we’re happy to help.
Check out all of our information here.
Wrapping It Up
We covered a lot of ground in this ReachRight Mailbag.
- No, church is not going 100% online. But digital tools are reshaping how we gather, reach, and disciple
- AI is not inherently evil. But it requires spiritual discernment, wise boundaries, and intentional use
- The Google Ad Grant is still a powerful resource. But you’ll need to adapt your strategy as Google evolves
- Social media tools can streamline your outreach. But consistency and creativity matter more than any platform
- Yes, ReachRight helps nonprofits. Because digital ministry isn’t just for churches
At the end of the day, here’s the throughline:
Technology is changing. But the mission of the church stays the same.
We’re still called to reach the lost, make disciples, and build community. Whether that happens in a church building, a YouTube comment thread, or a prayer request form on your website, what matters most is the heart behind the work.
Thanks for being part of the conversation.
If you’ve got a question you want us to answer in a future episode, drop it in the comments or message us directly. We’d love to hear from you.
Let’s keep building the future of the church together.
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