What do you think?
Rate this book
MetaChurch: How to Use Digital Ministry to Reach People and Make Disciples
“You will walk away from this book smarter, better equipped, and encouraged to make the most of the tremendous opportunities technology makes available to ministries of all sizes.”―ANDY STANLEY “A leading thinker on the Church of today and of tomorrow. He helps us challenge our past assumptions and current models to ensure the Church stays on the forefront of innovation.”―BOBBY GRUENEWALD “MetaChurch is required reading for every pastor who believes we are called to make disciples…not attenders.”―NONA JONES Digital ministry is complicated and exhausting. You know there’s more to it than just streaming services and posting on social media. But where do you start? Dave Adamson was one of the first online pastors in the world, and he draws on this experience to give church leaders a detailed, practical guide to help them develop a church strategy in which online and on-site ministries work together seamlessly. In MetaChurch, you • See how your 1st century mission can look with a 21st century model • Examine ways online church can be a viable evangelistic and discipleship tool • Learn how a digital ministry can complement physical ministries and help them grow • Discover how to reach and connect with people beyond the church building • Develop a discipleship strategy and pathway that leverages online and offline tools With real-world illustrations from Dave’s ministry experience, case studies of churches that have applied his insights, and step-by-step guides that can be put into practice today, MetaChurch helps ministries of all sizes effectively use technology to reach people and make disciples.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2022
34 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 1, 2022
A very helpful book on how churches' digital presence and in person ministry can be mutually beneficial to each other, and to the churches' broader callings to evangelism and discipleship. I particularly appreciated how clearly Dave Adamson shows that the primary place seekers ask their questions is online - and not even to their Christian friends. And though Adamson's background is in large churches, most of what he suggests could be enacted by smaller churches too.
The first half of the book - on the need for digital ministry and the opportunities of it brings, and the chapters on using YouTube - are five star. I felt the book dragged in the second half, but I'm grateful and inspired having read it.
The first half of the book - on the need for digital ministry and the opportunities of it brings, and the chapters on using YouTube - are five star. I felt the book dragged in the second half, but I'm grateful and inspired having read it.
December 26, 2022
I found this book to be a great entry level resource for online ministry. I would love for Dave to expound upon more of how to build relationships through digital ministries. Although his strategies for social media posting and YouTube are very practical, I felt like it stopped there.
July 19, 2022
Wow. This was a really helpful, insightful, and engaging read. I’m not on church staff but have already mentioned this book to my church’s staff and have begun asking questions about what we can do to reach and engage people in our community who just can’t get to the building but I still want to grow in their relationship with Christ.
December 5, 2023
Would be a great resource for someone working in digital ministry or for a church that is hoping to increase/improve their online presence. Unfortunately I do not fall into either of those categories so this was a pretty painful read for me and I skimmed the majority of it
September 11, 2023
A great read for this transforming and trailblazing ministry. Practical advice mixed with solid theological musings about digital ministry.
June 9, 2022
Actual rating: 3.8 ⭐️
Pastor Dave Adamson has certainly put a lot of time and effort into optimizing an online experience for churchgoers and guests. With years of experience in digital ministry, Adamson’s insights can hardly be overlooked.
This book focuses primarily on the main Sunday morning ministries of a church and how the primary avenues of adult discipleship can be enhanced through online groups and YouTube, there is also some consideration given to other forms of digital media. More time could have been spent on social media strategy and contextualizing how different ministries within a church might use this book (e.g., specific strategies for kids ministry, youth ministry, specific apps and services geared for specific demographics, etc).
⚠️ SERIOUS Printing issue ⚠️: I purchased a first edition copy of this book at Orange Conference in 2022 and it contained a MAJOR printing error that made reading chapters 7-9 nearly impossible. Beginning on page 89 and continuing through 126, the pages are entirely out of order. This was very frustrating and should be addressed immediately in a reprinting.
Pastor Dave Adamson has certainly put a lot of time and effort into optimizing an online experience for churchgoers and guests. With years of experience in digital ministry, Adamson’s insights can hardly be overlooked.
This book focuses primarily on the main Sunday morning ministries of a church and how the primary avenues of adult discipleship can be enhanced through online groups and YouTube, there is also some consideration given to other forms of digital media. More time could have been spent on social media strategy and contextualizing how different ministries within a church might use this book (e.g., specific strategies for kids ministry, youth ministry, specific apps and services geared for specific demographics, etc).
⚠️ SERIOUS Printing issue ⚠️: I purchased a first edition copy of this book at Orange Conference in 2022 and it contained a MAJOR printing error that made reading chapters 7-9 nearly impossible. Beginning on page 89 and continuing through 126, the pages are entirely out of order. This was very frustrating and should be addressed immediately in a reprinting.
May 27, 2022
I’ve followed Dave Adamson for years, since hearing him on Carey Nieuwhof’s leadership podcast. In that time I’ve found him immensely helpful in shaping my understanding of social media and digital ministry. Naturally, I was excited when I saw he was writing this book.
I’ve sped through this book in a matter of days, partly because I’ve been on holiday so I had time, but also because it’s just so compelling that I wanted to keep reading. Dave unpacks some ideas he’s spoken and written about a lot over the years, but in greater depth. He also brings fresh thoughts and ideas. All of it is helpful and thought provoking.
Having sped through this book, I’m going to go home and reflect carefully on what I’ve read, dip back into it, examine the various diagrams and consider what changes I can make in the church I help lead to enable us to more effectively make disciples of Jesus through our digital platforms as well as our in-person gatherings. Dave has given language and terms for things which I have been wondering about particularly throughout the pandemic, and I’m immensely grateful to him for writing this book.
I’ve sped through this book in a matter of days, partly because I’ve been on holiday so I had time, but also because it’s just so compelling that I wanted to keep reading. Dave unpacks some ideas he’s spoken and written about a lot over the years, but in greater depth. He also brings fresh thoughts and ideas. All of it is helpful and thought provoking.
Having sped through this book, I’m going to go home and reflect carefully on what I’ve read, dip back into it, examine the various diagrams and consider what changes I can make in the church I help lead to enable us to more effectively make disciples of Jesus through our digital platforms as well as our in-person gatherings. Dave has given language and terms for things which I have been wondering about particularly throughout the pandemic, and I’m immensely grateful to him for writing this book.
May 20, 2022
Asking the Right Questions
Reading MetaChurch by Dave Adamson was a refreshing dive into the world of digital ministry. Rather than just provide information Dave asks questions. The book is divided into three parts: the philosophical argument, the practical application and ends with planning ahead. Each section provides the reader with personal stories, questions needing to be asked and practical helps to get started. The fact he wants his kids to inherit a church that is better positioned to deal with the future speaks volumes. The only downside to the book is the author speaks from a mega church perspective. However, most everything in the book can be adapted to different models of church. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in digital ministry.
I was part of the launch team and received an advance copy of the book. Everything stated in my review is solely my opinion.
“There’s a cost to rethinking, much less re-digging new wells or models of church, that we’ve invested so much in over a long time. Every church leader has a model or approach or way of doing church. Changing our model requires us working through issues of theology, rethinking definitions of community, reimagining our idea of discipleship and ministry, and rewriting our long-held liturgies.” ~ Dave Adamson
Reading MetaChurch by Dave Adamson was a refreshing dive into the world of digital ministry. Rather than just provide information Dave asks questions. The book is divided into three parts: the philosophical argument, the practical application and ends with planning ahead. Each section provides the reader with personal stories, questions needing to be asked and practical helps to get started. The fact he wants his kids to inherit a church that is better positioned to deal with the future speaks volumes. The only downside to the book is the author speaks from a mega church perspective. However, most everything in the book can be adapted to different models of church. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in digital ministry.
I was part of the launch team and received an advance copy of the book. Everything stated in my review is solely my opinion.
“There’s a cost to rethinking, much less re-digging new wells or models of church, that we’ve invested so much in over a long time. Every church leader has a model or approach or way of doing church. Changing our model requires us working through issues of theology, rethinking definitions of community, reimagining our idea of discipleship and ministry, and rewriting our long-held liturgies.” ~ Dave Adamson
May 23, 2022
Anyone who has interacted with Dave’s content before knows he’s someone you listen to when he starts talking about online ministry. Now he’s put it all in a book. Dave’s simple and detailed explanations will help your church reach and serve more people in your community.
May 6, 2022
Dave is such a great writer. While I didn’t agree with a few things, this book is a must for any leader in the context of ministry. We may not KNOW the future, but we can definitely start leading like we do. Dave saw into the future in 2008. With wit, extreme biblical knowledge and it’s original text, he makes a compelling case for Metachurch.
So so good. So captivating and had me on the edge and opened my eyes wide. #Needed-it
Thought provoking quote and stopped me in my tracks:
“While some could argue that people who watch online services are not fully embracing community, wouldn’t that also be true of those who attend a brick and mortar church every Sunday yet arrive after worship and leave before the message is over to avoid people?”
Read it.
Gosh I love learning.
August 18, 2024
This work by Dave Anderson should be required reading for any person engaged in ministry. He is probably one of the leading minds when it comes to digital ministry. His thoughtful insights were both challenging and precise. His advice is for the church to begin thinking about its digital ministry with the same thoughtfulness as other parts of the church's ministries.
Anderson's perspective is clear-the digital church is not a replacement for the physical church, but rather a significant extension of it. He aims to inspire readers with a fresh sense of purpose and equip them with strategic ideas to overcome the frustrations that can hinder digital ministry.
The author addresses a common understanding that when discussing digital church "MetaChurch," many people feel threatened, so he offers the reader a new definition of digital ministry. When he uses the word meta-church, he says, "I am describing an expression of the church that has been transformed to go beyond a church building or a Sunday timeslot." "a meta church model is not just about using digital tools to connect people with content, but to engage with people online and offline to connect them with a community, added score, the churches of community, not content. For that reason, he believes that every church should be a Metachurch. He goes so far as to say that the front door to your church is in people's pocket.
Anderson's perspective is clear-the digital church is not a replacement for the physical church, but rather a significant extension of it. He aims to inspire readers with a fresh sense of purpose and equip them with strategic ideas to overcome the frustrations that can hinder digital ministry.
The author addresses a common understanding that when discussing digital church "MetaChurch," many people feel threatened, so he offers the reader a new definition of digital ministry. When he uses the word meta-church, he says, "I am describing an expression of the church that has been transformed to go beyond a church building or a Sunday timeslot." "a meta church model is not just about using digital tools to connect people with content, but to engage with people online and offline to connect them with a community, added score, the churches of community, not content. For that reason, he believes that every church should be a Metachurch. He goes so far as to say that the front door to your church is in people's pocket.
July 10, 2025
Great book with practical steps and good theology around why the church should lean into social media and digital outreach. Favorite chapter: “Preach like a YouTuber”. Critiques: too much Andy Stanley, and I fear that he doesn’t make a convincing case for why in person gathering matters more and has more going for it than digital gathering. Like, one is clearly subordinate. But this book is a helpful addition to an ongoing conversation about the role of technology in the church. And we have been using technology in the church since the church’s origin. Technology: books, letters, roads, writing, the alphabet, ships, horses, plows, printing press, quills, tent pegs, NEED I GO ON?? Gold for the tabernacle! Ok I’m done.
February 20, 2024
While this book has some incredible tools that small churches can utilize to help them maximize the time they have in regard to social media posts! I am left feeling like our goal is to sell Jesus, the Scriptures, or the church as a product! It feels very consumerist in thinking. How can we come to the Eucharist Table digitally? We can’t! I’m thankful for the guide and tools for social media and digital devices but beyond that I’m left not impressed!
December 8, 2025
i read this book for my intro to media arts class. every week we read two chapters and then a 200 word discussion post and of course, responses. there were a lot of interesting points in this book and the author (a former sports journalist from australia- turned online pastor) cited a ton of research and statistics. this book changed my mind on some things and i definitely have a better view of online church. i might pass this book along to my pastor!
October 19, 2023
This book was really great. I feel like he had a lot of good points and things I didn't think about. I think there was a lot of stuff I had already heard or thought about though. It would be a great resource for people who are pretty new to the virtual church realm. Overall, a great read!
Read
February 24, 2025Excellent read, and a must for anyone in a church leadership role. Adamson gives some very practical and specific advise on managing a church's digital ministries. I've read the book cover-to-cover, but it will remain on my lower shelf to be used as a reference guide.
July 29, 2022
Great book! Not as applicable for everyone but I really enjoyed the stats/ data and new ideas throughout!
August 18, 2022
Easy to read, highly practical, inspiring and challenging (in a good way)!
November 8, 2022
Relevant read for those managing digital ministry teams and church leadership. I would have liked to see a chapter on approaches to measurement.
July 27, 2023
If you’re in ministry, read this.
January 24, 2025
I needed my eyes to be opened to thinking new thoughts.
January 20, 2026
Definitely opened my eyes to a new perspective on digital ministry. A worthwhile read for anyone using digital media to spread the gospel.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews