A recent book review published on January 11, 2026, spotlights a groundbreaking work that challenges traditional views of the church. The review of "Cyberchurch – Neighborhood of Other/s (Kapwa): An Ecclesiological Model for a Digital Age" by Dr. Agnes Brazal and Dr. Rico Jacoba affirms its critical and imaginative re-envisioning of church life for the era of screens and networks.
A Theological Framework for the Digital Realm
The book starts with a powerful premise: the internet is not merely a new tool for old practices but a transformative medium that reshapes identity, ritual, and authority. The authors move beyond simplistic optimism or pessimism about technology. Instead, they propose a theological lens to interpret digital practices, ensuring doctrine informs our understanding of online communities.
This work engages deeply with classical church models, creatively reworking theologian Avery Dulles's ecclesiological typologies for a networked world. It explores how institutional, mystical, sacramental, heraldic, and servant dimensions of the church are reshaped by digital interaction.
Five Central Proposals for a Faithful Digital Church
The review distills five compelling and practical proposals from the book that offer a roadmap for congregations.
First, the book argues to reframe mediated presence as genuine ecclesial presence. Encounters in digital spaces are not poor substitutes for physical gathering. When guided by intentional pastoral practices, they can foster real communion, accountability, and sacramental anticipation, becoming spaces where grace operates.
Second, it advocates for a hybrid ecclesiology of place and network. This model holds the local, embodied parish and its dispersed online extensions in a creative tension. Each informs and corrects the other, preserving sacramental integrity while enabling broader participation.
Third, the authors call for establishing digital discipleship as its own pastoral discipline. This requires new formation curricula and spiritual practices designed for online rhythms—like brief catechesis, discernment practices for social media use, and virtues for engaging with algorithms.
Practical Wisdom for Online Community and Worship
The fourth proposal focuses on developing liturgies and rites for mediated settings. Practical ideas include intentional pre- and post-gathering rituals online and protocols for communal prayer that maintain symbolic integrity. Any innovation must be evaluated against the church's sacramental framework, not just technological convenience.
Fifth, the book urges establishing ecclesial policies for online hospitality, accountability, and justice. Congregations need governance for digital spaces, including ethical moderation, pastoral care pathways, and addressing structural issues like the digital divide and algorithmic bias. This places pastoral care within a public theology that safeguards the vulnerable.
Together, these proposals form a clear program: to recognize the formative power of digital media and guide the church's adaptation with doctrine, pastoral wisdom, and a commitment to justice.
Constructive Critique and Lasting Impact
The review notes the book could delve deeper into a political theology of digital platforms, examining power and inequality more thoroughly. Some readers might also desire a stronger link between virtual practices and theologies of the embodied self. However, these points invite further discussion rather than diminish the book's value.
In conclusion, the review praises "Cyberchurch" as a theologically profound and pastorally wise contribution. It is deemed essential reading for theologians, pastors, and lay leaders across the Philippines and beyond who seek to navigate the challenges and opportunities of being church in a digital age.
