The rapid rise of digital technology and social media has transformed pastoral ministry, raising new ethical challenges for church leaders. However, academic literature lacks comprehensive frameworks addressing these digital ethical issues. This study aimed to develop a deep understanding of pastors’ ethical responsibilities in the social media era.
The research focused on contemporary digital pastoral ministry, exploring the overlap of theological ethics and social media use by church leaders. A systematic literature review was conducted, integrating three theoretical frameworks: Digital Ethics Framework, Contextual Pastoral Theology, and Digital Religious Communication Theory.
Findings highlighted key ethical challenges including privacy, data security, diminished interpersonal depth, and unclear accountability in digital contexts. Effective digital pastoral ministry demands adaptive ethical frameworks that uphold theological integrity while leveraging technology, offering foundational guidance for responsible and contextually relevant ministry in evolving digital landscapes.
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