interlinc Editor, Rob Brower (RB), sits down with ministry leaders, artists, and tech innovators to explore how we can minister effectively in a digital world. From social media’s impact to digital discipleship and AI in ministry, this roundtable offers practical insights to help keep the Gospel at the center of it all.
RB: What’s the one piece of technology you couldn’t live without—and the one you wish never existed?
KM: Air Conditioning. We couldn’t survive the summers without it! And… Red Light Cameras. Just sayin’!
RG: Definitely the one I couldn’t live without is my insulin pump! The one I wish never existed would be the ET game for Atari!
PS: Smart phones for both. They are just too handy and replaced a bunch of other technologies. Honestly, as soon as I’m not a youth pastor anymore, I’ll buy an old Nokia or something…
BG: The phone and… the phone.
Honestly, I used to believe I could live without technology, so I put it to the test—I went five years without a phone. The only device I had was a smartwatch. I used a computer at work but made a conscious effort not to bring it home. Through this experiment, I proved to myself (and to my kids, who were still in middle school at the time) that we don’t rely on technology as much as we think we do.
Once all my kids reached high school, I decided to get them phones—and got one for myself as well. Because of this experience, I don’t have strong feelings about what I couldn’t live without or what I wish had never been invented. In the end, technology itself isn’t good or bad—it’s how we choose to use it that matters.
DR: My smart phone AND… also my smart phone.
CH: The iPhone… the iPhone.
BR: The one piece would be the YouVersion Bible App. I love it and all the sermons, plans, reminders, streaks (I’m currently 691 days straight) and Bible studies.
The one technology I wish never exisited is Malware… the thing that ruins other people’s computers and sometimes even their lives.
DY: While I wouldn’t want to live without a smartphone, I do sometimes wish it never existed.
Technology isn’t evil but it does need to be managed or it will manage you. -Doug Ranck
RB: How do you encourage young people to develop healthy boundaries with technology while staying connected?
RG: I encourage young people to develop healthy boundaries with technology while staying connected to humanity by helping them use tech with purpose—asking questions like, “Is this drawing me closer to God and others?” I also suggest setting tech-free times, like screen-free meals or a ‘No Tech Tuesday,’ to build real relationships with our loved ones. Being mindful of content is the key. Choosing media that strengthens our faith rather than simply entertaining us helps give purpose to it. Creating healthy habits, like limiting screen time and avoiding phones before bed, helps young people with balance, and as we know from Cobra kai, balance is key!
Finally, I encourage them to use tech for good—listening to podcasts like Bible in a year with Father Mike Schmitz, using prayer apps such as Hallow, and even joining online accountability and prayer groups are all avenues to help young people grow in their faith and use of technology.
BG: I’ve come to realize that technology is simply a tool that amplifies our existing connections. It doesn’t create or replace genuine relationships—it only intensifies them, for better or worse. When we truly care about someone, we naturally stay in touch, regardless of the medium.
On the other hand, if the connection isn’t there, even having instant access to communication won’t bring us closer. In the end, technology is just an extension of our desire to stay connected, and I have no issue with that.
PS: I try to make them aware that their time is limited, that God has given them the mission to use their time wisely, and that in 20 years, they will remember the cool experiences with their friends rather than the hours spent on their phones. Additionally, I try to convey to them that the decisions they make now will shape who they will be in 10, 20, or 50 years, and that they should make their choices based on who they want to become.
KM: Conversation is the most essential way to encourage kids to self-monitor their relationship with the various tech devices they have. I’ve tried giving them instructions, information, statistics, and real-life stories – to little effect. I’ve tried sarcasm, chiding, joking, and needling them about their tech use – to disastrous effect. But when we engage in a conversation, and they sense that I don’t have a real agenda to promote other than righteousness, I’ve experienced some behavior and attitude change in them (and me.)
DR: Reminding them it is not evil but it does need to be managed or it will manage them.
RB: What steps have you taken in your own life to manage screen time, and how has it impacted your ministry?
BR: I use built-in tools on my phone, like bedtime settings and app reminders, to help limit screen time and stay intentional about prayer and Bible reading. These small boundaries ensure that my digital habits don’t take away from my spiritual discipline.
Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
DR: Only looking at it for certain periods of the day and limiting the scrolling to about five to seven swipes (I don’t always count but I know what it feels like). This keeps me open to all the other forms of communication and seeking to know what each person’s primary mode is for best initial communication.
BG: At work, I spend my entire day in front of a computer– that’s how I make my living. But when I’m home, I keep my laptop out of sight unless it’s absolutely necessary. And if I do need to use it, I step out of the house because I don’t want my kids to see me glued to a screen. My wife instilled this habit in me, and I’m grateful for it. I also try to limit my phone use at home. That said, if I want to watch a show or catch up on the news, it’s hard to do without my phone since we rarely use our TV. So, our general rule is to keep phones on the charger until we’re ready to relax– when everyone can unwind together and enjoy whatever they want to watch.
RG: One of the best ways to manage screen time is simply to check your screen time every day around noon. I find that if I have already used a few hours of screen time by noon, I need to back off and focus in on who’s around me instead of what’s around me. We were made to love people and use things, my fear however, is that we love things and use people. When I remind myself of this simple fact, it’s really easy to get refocused and what’s most important.
PS: Putting Instagram on 10 minutes and TikTok on 5 minutes daily. I try to leave my phone in some drawer and not in my pocket. It does not have a direct effect on my ministry, but on my general well-being.
It’s possible that our collective hysteria became a self-fulfilling prophecy, making some kids feel like they should be struggling, even if they weren’t initially.-Brooks Gibbs
RB: How have you seen social media affect students’ mental health?
BG: I’ve seen social media serve as both a source of entertainment for kids and a way to stay connected with friends. When the COVID pandemic hit, adults were worried that kids would feel isolated—but I didn’t see that happen at all. If anything, they were more connected than ever. They immersed themselves in games, TV shows, movies, and social media, talking to their friends all day long. For many, it was actually a great experience.
However, the widespread narrative about kids struggling with mental health issues may have shaped their expectations. It’s possible that our collective hysteria became a self-fulfilling prophecy, making some kids feel like they should be struggling, even if they weren’t initially.
What I believe truly impacted kids the most was the sudden change in routine. Many slipped into a state of constant comfort-seeking, indulging in entertainment and avoiding challenges. When schools reopened, breaking that cycle was difficult.
Beyond that, social media can be particularly harmful to kids who struggle with approval, fear of missing out, or comparison. For them, it’s not just entertainment– it’s a mirror reflecting everything they think they lack. Over time, this can lead to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with their own lives.
DR: Recently I led a hike up into our mountains to play in small caves and climb around on rocks. A fair percentage of youth, when invited, said they didn’t want to go and didn’t like to hike. Is it any coincidence they happened to be gamers and on social media a lot?
DY: I would say the jump from flip phones to smart phones has amplified this issue. Smart phones have trained us that instant gratification is the norm and should be expected. The friction required to open a laptop or go to a computer to consume content can be a healthy barrier for many reasons. It helps reduce the impulse and belief that we can and should access anything at any time.
PS: They have less free-time than when I grew up, which makes them more stressed. And partially, they consume too much news, which makes them anxious about the future.
KM: Does turning them into zombies qualify? Some girls’ sense of belonging can get crushed, especially early teenage girls. They thrive on having a “pack” they belong to, but when they feel left out of a conversation or find out about some online backstabbing that’s happened, they can experience a deep funk that can quickly spiral downward. With guys and their too-easy access to porn– well, you can imagine the ramifications on their relationships with girls, both now and in the future.
My desire to protect who I am authentically takes precedence over who I want people to think that I am.-Craig Hicks
RB: What personal practices have you adopted to avoid falling into the comparison trap on social media?
BR: I consistently ground my thoughts in the Word, reminding myself that God has given each person their own portion. Instead of comparing, I intentionally choose to rejoice in what He has given me and celebrate others’ blessings. Practicing gratitude and choosing to rejoice takes discipline, but it keeps my heart in the right place.
Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Proverbs 14:30 “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
BG: This is a non-issue for me. I think my years of work on being content and desiring to only receive approval from God has delivered me from this trap.
CH: My desire to protect who I am authentically, my personality, etc., takes precedence over who I want people to think that I am. I don’t want to disappoint anyone when I meet them in person. If anything, I want them to see I’m even more than what my social media would lead them to think. God has made us uniquely! Let’s quit trying to be like every other influencer.
KM: I also keep “rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn” in mind.
DR: I have heard it said, “When you compare, you always lose.” If I am following some ministry or individual and find myself comparing I know it is time to “hide” them or quit following.
PS: Thankfully, this was never a problem for me.
I use WhatsApp to make in-person dates with my youth. We play online games and talk about stuff.-Philip Solymosi
RB: How do you personally balance fostering community online while maintaining a strong focus on in-person relationships?
BR: I’m naturally relational, so I make it a priority to check in on friends regularly. Whether it’s grabbing lunch, making phone calls, or simply being present, I make sure my relationships go beyond digital connections. Talking on the phone often helps me maintain strong, meaningful bonds with people.
DR: Community online is such an asset but eventually there must be a personal interaction and my inner-self tells me that. Maybe it’s in person, if we live close or Zoom.
PS: I use WhatsApp to make in-person dates with my youths 😀 We play online games and talk about stuff.
DY: Covid isolation showed us how we much we needed to connect in person. Most of my interactions online are generally for direct or group communication (zoom/texting/email). This tends to be transactional and not relational. Hosting small group Bible Study, meeting individuals for coffee and attending church events help maintain the strong focus on in-person relationships.
It does take being intentional about meeting in person to maintain that healthy balance between online interaction and face to face. I still recall trying to have prayer meetings over zoom during the pandemic. While helpful, it just wasn’t the same as praying together in the same room.
BG: Thanks to technology, I can stay connected with my friends and colleagues in a way that feels almost as fulfilling as being with them in person.
Our digital interactions keep the conversation going, so when we finally meet up, we’re able to pick up right where we left off– seamlessly continuing the connection.
KM: If I can maintain a 90:10 ratio (90% in-person, 10% online), then I’m doing pretty good. I never trust that online conversations can take the place of in-person interaction. So, my online stuff is mainly lighthearted or informational.
RB: What’s one example from your experience where online ministry strengthened or hindered relationships?
DR: In our church worship world we still have a steady group who watch only online and I know they could be in-person so there are times when I would like to cease streaming but then that may have other consequences.
PS: During Covid, when churches were closed down, technology was really useful.
RG: I think the pandemic helped open our eyes to a whole new way of evangelization and meeting young people where they are. We were forced to enter “their” world and meet them where they were. Taking a posture of humility and listening to young people online has been key. I find that young people are very honest and open when they have a little anonymity and an open mic to voice what’s on their mind.
BG: Because of my extensive presence on social media, millions of people have seen my teachings and engaged with my work. I’m grateful to have helped countless individuals, but that visibility has also attracted its fair share of trolls—people who strongly oppose what I teach.
Beyond that, I’ve noticed some envy within my industry, which has led to targeted attacks. One particular colleague has taken this to the extreme, launching a DMCA takedown campaign against me. As a result, many of my posts have been removed for reasons that seem completely frivolous.
Unfortunately, social media platforms often rely on mass reporting as a signal of wrongdoing, so if enough people flag a post, it gets taken down—regardless of its actual content.
I’ve had to endure all kinds of challenges just trying to do good online. But at the end of the day, I remind myself that this comes with the territory. If you’re making an impact, you’re bound to face resistance.
KM: Online ministry, for me, keeps me in touch with far-flung friends, ministry associates, former students, and friends.
CH: The beauty of some online platforms, such as Facebook groups or Marco Polo allow me to foster better community among our leaders. We are able to champion each other, encourage one another, pray for one another, etc. We’ve created safe spaces for people to be transparent and keep our distances from hindering our relationships.
The pandemic helped open our eyes to a whole new way of evangelization and meeting young people where they are.-Rick Grinstead
RB: How do you model the balance between staying connected and taking time to unplug?
BG: I spend my entire day at my work computer, but when I’m home, my wife has trained me to never bring it out—and I’m incredibly grateful for that discipline. Left to my own devices, I’d probably be online 20 hours a day. I have that tendency, and honestly, I’d love to.
But family is my accountability, and my wife has been like the divine finger of God pressing on my conscience. I’m not rebellious—I want a happy home—so I cooperate. These boundaries have been a lifeline for our family, preserving our connection and keeping work from overtaking our lives.
We also try to keep our phones on the charger, only using them during designated downtime. Everyone in the family agrees to this, because we see our devices as a privilege, not a right. When left unchecked, technology quickly becomes the enemy—so we choose to control it, rather than let it control us.
PS: I try to digital detox on Mondays…
BR: I’m very intentional about rest and travel. The Lord knows I love exploring different countries, so I plan my unplug days and vacations months in advance.
Having scheduled downtime gives me something to look forward to, especially during seasons of intense ministry work.
Mark 6:31 “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.”
KM: One word– Sabbath.
DR: Mostly this happens in how we program events (old school hands on youth ministries i.e. bowling, hiking, skating) for kids and even how we do Bible studies (with hard copies).
DY: I asked some young people recently why vinyl records and polaroid cameras have become so popular. Their answer was that they enjoy both the anticipation (of waiting for film to develop) and the experience (of putting vinyl on a record player). In both cases, they were forced to slow down and participate in the physical world.
It will be interesting to see how the future evolves as technology is being developed that will close this gap of content and consumption even further. The next jump will be from “smart phone” directly into our brain.
Keep your eye out for Technology Roundtable Part 2!
