Podcast, Buch und Burger | mit Jánci Máhrik, Slowakei [ENGLISCH]

S00: Herzlich willkommen zu einer neuen Episode von Digital & Real, dem Podcast der Region Digital bei der Allianz-Mission.

S00: Und heute grüße ich euch vom European Leadership Forum, ein Treffen von knapp 900 Leitern aus ganz Europa.

S00: Und möchte euch mit reinnehmen in ein Gespräch mit einem Podcaster aus der Surabakei.

S00: Jansi Marek, welcome to the podcast.

S00: Hallo.

S00: Jansi, it's great to meet you here.

S00: And we just had a session where you were explaining a lot about online evangelism.

S00: And one thing you started off regarding this topic was that you pointed out that pre-COVID online church was barely on the radar.

S00: What changed for you and for the Slovak church during the pandemic?

S01: Suddenly we had all the reasons to use the online tools, as many successful companies did as well.

S01: So you had the Uber Foods or Walt or Netflix or Zoom.

S01: Those are people who realize that the world is changing and that people are right now stuck in their homes.

S01: And the only way how they can meet or work or do business together is through the like the cable data, data cables.

S01: And we as a church, we have many IT guys, so we love to use the technologies.

S01: And we were on board.

S01: We realized, okay, this is now the time to explore this technological opportunity.

S01: And we did all kinds of things.

S00: Yeah, we get into that deeper.

S00: One thing you said that struck me was you said that internet isn't a tool, it's where people live.

S00: What implications does it have for how we think about mission?

S01: Yes, so many people could view internet just as a tool.

S01: Like, that's the tool how you get your, I don't know, food.

S01: You order on internet.

S01: Or that's the tool how you pay your bills because you use the QR codes and pay for that.

S01: But in fact, it's not just a tool, it's a place where people are, which means the stories happen on internet.

S01: People get, they get hurt on internet.

S01: If somebody is bullying them at school through online tools, then it's happening there.

S01: People get, fall in love on internet.

S01: They get inspired on internet.

S01: They search their faith on internet.

S01: They interact with each other.

S01: And that's an important distinction because then it means that the internet is a certain place, a space, where church needs to enter.

S01: Okay.

S00: Thank you for the insight, Jess.

S00: Slovakia is in many places in Europe becoming more secular.

S00: So how do you reach a generation of nuns, how you called them, who are spiritually curious but institutionally detached?

S01: Yes, so internet is the answer.

S01: In a way, obviously.

S01: Okay, obvious answer.

S01: Yeah, sorry.

S01: So the nuns are on the rise in Slovakia.

S01: People who are not affiliated are currently 25% of people in Slovakia.

S01: And the number will grow.

S01: But they are still searching for spiritual answers.

S01: But they will never probably intentionally enter the church and listen to the sermon.

S01: So the gospel needs to be preached not only through pulpit, but through media and opportunities where people are.

S01: And everyone is online.

S01: Even people who never enter a church or wish to enter a church, they are online.

S01: So that's my approach, how to talk about faith, talk to the nuns in Slovakia.

S01: Yeah.

S00: So you did start something through COVID a couple of years ago already that really hit the nerve of a lot of people.

S00: Zabot Mute Cesti.

S00: I don't know if I pronounced it right.

S00: Almost, almost.

S00: Almost.

S00: Okay.

S00: It has become one of the most popular Christian podcasts in Slovakia.

S00: What's your secret sauce?

S00: Secret sauce is consistency.

S00: Consistency.

S00: Okay.

S00: Yeah.

S01: Consistency.

S01: And in our case, it's authenticity.

S01: Yeah.

S01: We're just two pastors talking about faith, life, and asking tough questions and talking about the answers.

S01: We talk from the view of psychology, theology, philosophy.

S01: And one of the things we do is we're friends.

S01: And I think you can feel the friendship online or through the podcast.

S01: But the consistency is crucial not to stop.

S00: You'll have to not only get people listening to the podcast, but to build relationships and taking the digital connections also to an offline world.

S00: How do you do that?

S00: Yes.

S01: So that's one of our core convictions that we shouldn't only offer our content, but help people restore their relationships.

S01: One of the relationships is their relationship with the creator, the God.

S01: Yeah.

S01: But also with the people and the human beings.

S01: And the way we can do that, and we do that with the podcast, is that we invite people to meet us and have a lunch with us.

S01: So a bunch of our listeners do so.

S01: They visit our town.

S01: We have a burger.

S01: We talk.

S01: And we try to encourage them and give them some hints where they can find meaningful Christian communities in their towns.

S00: Yeah.

S00: Very nice.

S00: You also mentioned the zero moment of truth.

S00: That's the moment when people Google before they make their decisions.

S00: May it be what they buy, whom they marry, or where to move.

S00: How can the church prepare for that moment?

S01: Publish online content that is a good quality content and the type of content that Google would push as an answer to the questions people are asking.

S00: Yeah.

S00: Very good answer.

S00: And when doing online ministry, it's easy to ask for impact in case of likes or views or numbers.

S00: In a kingdom view, that's not probably the right way to measure.

S00: What would be a helpful way to measure impact?

S01: Yes.

S01: So likes are important to have a feedback, whether you make a meaningful content.

S01: But the way I want to measure impact is by lives that are being changed.

S01: And that's a different task.

S00: Definitely a different task.

S00: So we're going to put your podcast as well as your church on the show notes.

S00: So everybody, you have to learn a bit Slovakian to understand.

S00: Feel free.

S00: Or you will be just translating like Mr. Beast, who we also heard about in many languages.

S00: We're going to finish up with a lighting round, quick fire.

S00: Just short questions, your short answers.

S00: Okay.

S00: What was the moment you realized God was calling you to do a podcast?

S01: It was just, yeah.

S01: I read an article that said that many influencers are going from YouTube to podcast in Slovakia.

S00: Most underrated tool for digital discipleship?

S01: Podcast.

S00: Favorite non-Christian influencer who understands digital culture well?

S00: Mr. Beast, yay, using it.

S00: The most surprising message you've ever received from a listener.

S01: That we, as a podcast, change the direction of life of the listener.

S00: Wow, that's impressive.

S00: Okay, we're going to finish up.

S00: First thing, what can our listeners pray for you?

S01: So we would have understanding of what we should do with the podcast because we are open to cause it anytime.

S01: Like we're not addicted to the podcast, but we want to serve God well.

S01: So we need wisdom and insight in what to do next.

S00: Okay.

S00: And our podcast is always finishing off with the guest having the last word.

S00: So I'm already saying goodbye.

S00: And for you, the question, what one sentence you want to say to our listeners?

S01: Please share your message online.

S01: Please share your message online.

S01: Please share your message online.

S01: Please share your message online.