The news: Christianity Today has highlighted Thom Rainer's new book, The Revival of the Analog Church: Why Your Church Should Be Personal and In-Person (Tyndale Momentum, 2026), which argues that the pandemic-era shift to online church has cost congregations something irreplaceable — genuine, embodied community. Rainer challenges church leaders to intentionally rebuild cultures of personal presence and face-to-face discipleship.
Why it matters for church leaders: Many Indian congregations are still wrestling with members who drifted to online services during COVID and never fully returned. Rainer's argument is a timely pastoral prompt — digital tools are useful, but they cannot replicate the fellowship, accountability, and spiritual formation that happen when believers physically gather together.
The takeaway: Audit your congregation's attendance and engagement patterns this month and identify practical ways to personally invite digitally-distant members back into in-person community life.
Source: Christianity Today
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