Church´s digital transformation: societal challenge and cross-boundary strategy work

Purpose and goal:

The project aimed to study the Free Church´s digital transformation and how it is implemented in practice. The overall goal was to increase knowledge of civil society´s strategic work in digital transformation, particularly within integration and gender equality. This goal has been achieved, as explained in a comprehensive research report.

Expected results and effects:

Despite the digital transformation brought on by the pandemic, the broad implementation of new offerings has been challenging within the Free Church. However, there are examples where digital technology has been strategically used to strengthen integration, equality, and mobility among vulnerable groups. The project has helped to reinforce the church´s role in future social crises and has influenced how the church manages its digital transformation.

Approach and implementation:

The project builds on collaboration between researchers at School of Engineering at Jönköping University and two stakeholder organizations: Pingst Jönköping (PJ) and the Academy for Leadership and Theology (ALT). Additionally, a reference group consisting of researchers from Lund University and Stockholm University contributed as well. The scientific investigation is based on analyses of data from real-time studies of the activities of these stakeholders conducted between 2022 and 2024. The study also includes comparisons of congregations within the Pentecostal movement.