The five pillars.
A plan for the future required the church to harness change developmentally whilst remaining solidly behind its mission.
• To glorify God
• To extend His kingdom.
Achieving this mission in the 'discontinuous' environment of the early 2020s wasn’t easy. Nevertheless, my research showed that the church built them into five central pillars.
1. The decline in institutionalism: Capel Seion led the way by adopting change in how it was governed. In general, the church, like many others, witnessed a decline in traditional institutionalism as people became more sceptical of hierarchy and authority. This means the church needed to shift towards a more decentralised, grassroots model of church.
2. Diversification: Capel Seion has become more diverse and inclusive, reflecting the growing diversity of the local population. The church embraced different cultural
expressions of the Christian faith, and worship services were adapted to better resonate with younger generations and young families.
3. Technological innovation: Technology continued to advance rapidly at this early stage, and Capel Seion were early adopters. The church incorporated digital tools and platforms to enhance its outreach and communication. Innovation included livestreaming services, virtual reality experiences, and 'new wave' social media outreach. The digital and technology revolution started in the early 2020s and has been a 'white finger ride' ever since.
4. Environmental stewardship: With increasing concern about climate change and the environment, Capel Seion greatly emphasised ecological stewardship and sustainability. They promoted eco-friendly practices, advocated for climate action, and incorporated environmental themes into worship services.
5. Increased collaboration: The church collaborated widely with other communities, non-profits, and secular organisations to address social issues such as poverty, inequality, and human rights.
I have described five main pillars and the trends that shaped the church's future. It's important to note that the church, in general, and Capel Seion, has always been a dynamic and evolving institution. Its future depended on the actions and decisions of innovative members and leaders.
The initial five-year project delivered by Capel Seion set firm foundations for church growth, and acrossboundary collaboration was developed with many partners. Initial activities grew around an established website and the media platforms of the day, such as Facebook and Instagram. Although well practised by media and commercial organisations, the use of social media to reach people was not so effective in their reach for the church, but it was a start. These popular social platforms gave way to today's personal media platforms, and content became much more personalised and far less social. Such was the support for a church that the development officer role was extended for a further five years with extended hours. This early period lasted for ten years and was a period of rapid change with farreaching development for the centuries-old church.
The younger generation showed little or no interest in traditional forms of worship. Despite being unable to attend church in the usual way, the older generation still provided some of the financial support that the church needed. Church finances were critical as a springboard for survival, and financial support from members slowly gave way to a mix of funding activities. As the online church grew slowly, so did donations from interested followers, legacy donations and sales of church products. Financial stability still evades the church today, and novel ways of attracting funds are trialled continuously
Over the last half-century, young children have moved slowly out of parental control at a much younger age. As of 2023, this age is about nine years old, and life influencers are now their peers and self-styled online avatars. By the age of fourteen, the young person had ‘come of age', and decisions made at this crucial time depend on the influences and determinants experienced during their childhood development.
The church showed considerable strategic prowess by successfully targeting and engaging the younger generation through technology and new media. The early 2020s were a watershed for advances in media and the confluence of muli-media made possible by 5G, 6G and lately by quantum computing. The church was now dealing with early adopters, particularly younger generations. The use of new media was only the process of reaching young people. The difficult job was to create awareness and sufficient traction through purposeful content to inspire, encourage and change behaviours. This action, however, was done following contemporary cultural trends and responding in a way that supported, encouraged and provided value to people's lives through the teachings of the church.
of the early part of the century, was largely abandoned by the church as it relied more on responding to community spiritual and well-being needs with understanding and empathy. The target set by the Welsh Assembly in 2019 for a million Welsh speakers by today, 2050, needed to be more informed and served to settle early fears of language erosion. Targets can hold back creativity and stifle talented actors of the tick-list generation.
Charles Handy's discontinuous change model required the church to light on its feet and change by utilising the best resources in the best way.
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Embracing technology has allowed our church to connect with our community in new and innovative ways.
The thrust of technology.
Technological advancements and mobile platforms rocketed in the first few years of the project. Well-known and influential social media platforms like Facebook and TickTock changed, and new personalised platforms developed with advances in artificial intelligence, AI, and Quantum computing proliferated. However, jumping on the back of an accelerating trend was only sometimes effective, and the only course of action for Capel Seion was to harness them as vehicles of effective communication in the overall plan.
The most popular and effective developments for Capel Seion's mission were more digital and technological. The following list provides the reader with some of the most popular advances.
• Virtual and Augmented technologies grew in acceptance and created immersive experiences for modern churchgoers, allowing them to virtually attend church services and interact with each other in a new type of house group.
• Artificial Intelligence, AI, was used to provide personalised recommendations to church members based on their preferences and past interactions with the church's social platforms and apps. This development had some initial drawbacks, as curated biblical material didn't provide a much-needed broader biblical knowledge and interpretation. However, more recent algorithms promoted reading the Bible in its entirety.
• Voice recognition software enabled past or present 'actors' to read content, and today we can still hear echoes from the past. AI is now commonplace, and although it has been tested with largescale security issues, it has changed how we receive content. Capel Seion were early adopters of algorithmic bots2 who personalised spiritual needs and provided the material for church material and house groups
• Social media platforms continued to play a signi fi cant role in connecting church members and sharing information about church activities. The widespread availability of mobile devices continued to provide opportunities for churches to communicate with members and provide them with resources and information. The turning point for digital natives and working from home was during the Covid pandemic of 2019-2022, and signified a sudden change of behaviour for the church and the community.
• Podcasting has remained a unique way of reaching people with the same interests. Despite an enormous amount of similar groups and podcasts available today Capel Seion early on in their podcasts, was particularly inventive with their niche content area. Podcasts were top-rated in the early 2020s and had been so for almost a decade before this. However, Capel Seion went further and worked with the local university to develop artificial intelligence and avatars to participate in their podcasts. Today these are popular with the audience that tunes in from around the globe. In-depth discussions, lifestyle and Bible courses are transmitted in this way. Avatars3 and Chatbots sharing an AI interface respond to complex biblical and spiritual enquiry. More understanding was achieved but at a cost. People have by today a reduced ability to relate to others, and relationships are much harder to achieve and maintain due to reduced social contact.
• Cloud computing enabled Capel Seion to store and manage large amounts of data, including music, videos, and other media. It made them accessible to members from anywhere worldwide, from the church website and social media platforms. Initial live streaming of services gave way to Avatars built either in close resemblance to church leaders or as influencers with a new direction.
• 3D printing started as a novelty to create custom-made artefacts and decorations for Sunday School churches but grew into a small business with a thriving Amazon shop.
• Advanced software has allowed collaboration on a wide scale, and music software, in particular, enabled young people to write lyrics based on biblical text and perform computer-generated music.
There were initial concerns about the potential negative impacts of technology on traditional church practices and the importance of face-to-face interactions in building and maintaining religious communities. Although these developments within the church in the wired world were not always straightforward, adapting to change became a complex and evolving topic. There was no one-sizefits-all answer for Capel Seion. Today's church is a multidimensional organisation that will continue to adapt and change in response to technological advances and shifting societal trends while preserving and building upon its rich traditions and values.
WHERE ARE WE TODAY?
The church?
By 2050, Capel Seion church has undergone significant changes, particularly in the youth and children’s community. One of the main factors contributing to this success was the initial employment of a person with a diverse set of management and people skills, language and community development. This person played an instrumental role in introducing innovative strategies that catered to the needs and interests of the younger generations.
While the traditional ‘Sunday School’ still exists, the church has expanded its outreach to involve children and young people throughout the week. Mobile phone applications have been designed to provide lessons and activities that are engaging and interactive. This approach has proved highly effective in connecting with the younger generation and fostering community within the church. In addition, cinema groups were formed that focused on discussing current television and iPlayer programs and newsreels of the day. This activity has proven to be an excellent platform for stimulating youth discussion and debate and fostering critical thinking and analysis. These youth community groups became a part of the extended school, and awards were made based on attendance, contribution and project work.
Today, Avatars read and present sermons from recorded sermons of the past decades. In addition, guest preachers are received through live streaming and holograms. Augmented reality environments provided immersive biblical experiences, and these new forms of worship appealed to the younger generation and brought them into the church fold. Home groups were formed, and they met in online or in-person groups. House groups may be misleading as small groups meet anywhere, inperson and online, in the home and virtually from wherever the person may be. These groups share experiences and in-depth discussions on the problems that affect the society they’re a part of. This helps to create a sense of community and brings the church and its members much closer together.
The church was successful in its efforts to engage with the younger generation and to develop the community’s capacity for sustained personal and community growth. This success was due to the church’s willingness to adapt to the changing society and use new technologies. The Gymanfa Ganu, a traditional festival of song, is still practised today, not by church members but by choirs coming together in an established church. A newer worship and praise culture developed over the years, mainly led by young people at their church setting or other venues. Biblical passages are studied, song lyrics are written, and music is composed by individuals and played by either a worship team or their music played over the congregation.
A novel way of generating participation was by providing opportunities for young people, and working with colleges and local Universities encouraged new partnerships across boundary working. The church developed its own electronic publishing company and has many books and magazines on its shelves. The underlying mission of this technological and digital sector is simply ‘making a difference’.
Music will always be a way of stimulating interest. A special bursary was set up for young musicians to learn an instrument and the opportunity to play the instrument in church as an individual or as a group of musicians. This involvement developed confidence as well as providing a place to perform with a supportive congregation. In addition, the church has always been where children and young adults gained their fi rst experience in public speaking. This now includes playing an instrument and performing electronically developed songs and lyrics in public. Creating community capacity takes on many forms, and Capel Seion has become the ‘go-to’ for expressing local abilities and talents and providing the platform for expression and experience.
The wider community.
The community was involved in the decision-making process, which helped create a sense of ownership and belonging. The church was no longer seen as a separate entity but as an essential community limb. This helped to break down the barriers between the church and the community, and it helped to create a sense of mutual support and understanding. The old church vestry developed into a new village
Emerging themes.
From faith-based perspectives, Capel Seion church success story varies depending on the particular mindset you examine. However, some common themes and trends have emerged.
One theme is adapting to the digital age and leveraging technology to reach new audiences and maintain connections with existing ones. Capel Seion has realised the potential of social media, online communities, and virtual worship services to expand the church’s reach and engage younger generations.
Another trend emphasised community and relationships as central to the church’s future. Capel Seion focused on creating welcoming and inclusive environments that fostered deep connections and support among members. This was a shift away from traditional religious structures and a greater emphasis on personal spiritual journeys.
Finally, as a faith-based organisation, Capel Seion explored the intersection of religion and social justice, making the church more engaged in equity, diversity, and inclusion issues. Arguably this can be described as a greater emphasis on activism and social outreach, as well as a rethinking of traditional theological teachings in light of modern social issues. New
Wave.
Capel Seion is a “new-wave church” that has rapidly adopted a new and innovative approach to church and Christian ministry incorporating contemporary cultural and social trends.
As a “new-wave church” Capel Seion can be described as innovative, adaptive, and culturally engaged, seeking to meet the needs of today’s society while remaining true to its Christian roots. Overall, the church’s future in the wired world is a complex and evolving topic, and there is no onesize-fits-all answer. The church will likely continue to adapt and change in response to technological advances and shifting societal trends while preserving and building upon its rich traditions and values.
This may involve a shift away from traditional religious structures and a greater emphasis on personal spiritual journeys. Members will recognise the value of sharing their journeys and form small groups to explore their collective journeys. I suppose you could call these…church?
The following are characteristics of Capel Seion’s success story as a ‘new-wave’4 church and include:
1. Embracing contemporary worship styles: As a new-wave church Capel Seion incorporated modern music and other creative arts into its worship services to appeal to younger generations and create a more engaging worship experience.
2. Emphasising authenticity: They prioritised authenticity and transparency, creating a more open and vulnerable atmosphere where people can share their struggles and find support.
3. Embracing technology: The church used technology to enhance its outreach and communication, such as through live-streaming services, social media outreach, mobile apps , virtual and augmented reality and much more.
4. Focus on community building: More emphasis was placed on building community and relationships within the church, often through small groups and other forms of intentional community.
5. Flexibility and adaptability: Capel Seion became far more flexible and adaptable than traditional churches, often experimenting with new forms of ministry and outreach to better connect with younger generations and families and adapt to changing cultural trends.
CONCLUSION
Finally, the history of Capel Seion is a story of successful adaptation to the rapidly changing social and technological advances of the 21st century and is characterised by a concerted effort to engage and involve the youth and children’s community. The church successfully engaged the younger generation and developed the community’s capacity for sustained personal and community growth. The church’s willingness to adapt to the changing society and use new technologies was crucial to its success. Employing a person with a wide range of skills and expertise has been instrumental in this success in the first five years of the project. After that, the foundations for change were laid and developed further by a full-time church leader. The traditional church minister gave way to a church leader nearly ten years ago. Although the traditional church services and sacraments continue to this day, they are performed by church leaders, whilst burials, weddings, and baptisms are performed by lay people with the necessary skills. By embracing new technologies and innovative strategies, the church has created a more dynamic and engaging environment for its younger members. With these changes, the church absorbed members of other churches that had closed and, with extended abilities and talents, is well-positioned to continue its growth and development for many years to come.
The community’s involvement in the decisionmaking process helped create a sense of ownership and belonging which helped to break down the barriers between the church and the community, and it helped to develop mutual support and understanding. The story of Capel Seion is a testament to the power of adaptation and the importance of community involvement.
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It seems that during the most ‘discontinuous’ period in our history, God has looked after His church, and Capel Seion has looked after His people.
Ref1 Chatbot: A chatbot is a computer program designed to simulate conversation with human users, typically through a messaging interface. Chatbots can be programmed to handle a wide range of tasks, such as providing customer support, answering questions, assisting with online purchases, and even engaging in casual conversation. They can use a variety of technologies, including artificial intelligence and natural language processing, to understand user inputs and respond appropriately. Chatbots are becoming increasingly popular in a variety of industries, as they can help to automate certain tasks and provide a more personalized experience for users.
Ref2 2 Bot: Bots (short for "robots") are computer programs designed to automate tasks that would otherwise be performed by humans. Bots can be programmed to perform a wide variety of tasks, ranging from simple tasks like answering frequently asked questions to more complex tasks like trading stocks or interacting with customers in natural language. Bots are often used to save time and increase efficiency, as they can perform repetitive tasks faster and more accurately than humans. They are commonly used in customer service, e-commerce, social media, and other industries where automation can help streamline processes and reduce costs.
Ref 3 Avatar: An avatar is a digital representation of a person or character, typically in the form of a graphical image or 3D model. Avatars are commonly used in virtual worlds, video games, social media, and other online platforms where users want to create a visual representation of themselves or their online persona. They can also be used in educational settings, where they can help students learn and engage with course material in a more interactive and engaging way.
Ref 4 New Wave Church: The term "New Wave Church" does not refer to any specific denomination or organization, but rather a general trend in contemporary Christian churches that emphasizes modern approaches to worship and evangelism. New Wave Churches often incorporate elements of contemporary culture, such as music, media, and technology, into their worship services in order to connect with younger generations and create a more engaging and dynamic experience. They may also place a greater emphasis on personal spirituality and individual expression of faith. Overall, the term "New Wave Church" reflects a broad movement within contemporary Christianity that seeks to adapt traditional Christian practices and beliefs to the needs and expectations of a rapidly changing cultural landscape.
