Book review: Ryan M. Panzer,The Holy and the Hybrid: Navigating the Church’s Digital Reformation

In The Holy and the Hybrid, Ryan Panzer expounds on what he calls “the digital reformation.” He uses his experience of church life during the recent pandemic lockdowns to frame a new understanding of what it means for the church to inhabit digital spaces. Panzer’s basic argument is that all churches should thoughtfully exist in both analog and digital spaces. While he urges Christians to respond to the digitally shaped culture around them, he is also clear that the purpose of hybrid ministry is not technology for technology’s sake.

Those expecting an uncritical call for the church to become as virtual as possible will be either surprised or disappointed. He even elucidates some reservations about all-online forms of Christian community (while maintaining they have a role to play as drivers of innovation). Panzer, instead, advocates for a hybrid approach to being the church, one that leverages both the unquestionable power of digital spaces to invite unchurched people to participate in the life of the church and the unmatched power of analog spaces to shape them in Christlikeness and empower them to serve their communities. He does this by asking churches to aim for parity in the way they inhabit both digital and analog spaces when it comes to worship, formation, and leadership. He also offers a compelling argument for using personalized digital communication in spiritually formative practices.

Panzer mostly presents a moderating argument in his discussion of technology in Christian life and worship. But he occasionally steps into the role of tech advocate in ways that contradict his argument (see, for example, his negative evaluation of digital spaces for formation in Chapter 2 followed by his advocacy of them in Chapter 3). One gets the sense that he makes the point his evidence is capable of making but that he would rather be making different points.

Ancillary critiques notwithstanding, Panzer largely succeeds in what he sets out to do. He presents a measured and thoughtful call for the church to consider ways it can inhabit digital spaces faithfully and effectively. This book deserves to be read by any who participate, or train others to participate, in congregational ministry today.