AI 101 for Church Leaders

Church communications shouldn't consume your entire week. In this hands-on workshop, you'll discover practical AI tools that can transform how you manage newsletters, social media, meeting notes, and visual content, freeing up hours for actual ministry work.

You'll learn how to use Claude and similar LLMs (Large Language Models) as your digital assistant for everything from drafting announcements to brainstorming church outreach ideas. We'll show you how to build custom projects, create a consistent brand voice, and develop reusable templates that make content creation faster and more effective. You'll also discover how to upload documents like sermon transcripts or annual reports and turn them into social media posts, newsletter articles, or summary materials in minutes.

Beyond writing, you'll explore AI image generation tools like Nano Banana for creating graphics and visuals without design experience. We'll cover meeting assistant tools that automatically transcribe conversations and generate action items, so you can stay present in meetings instead of frantically taking notes. Finally, you'll get a quick overview of AI features already built into tools you're probably using, like Canva, Gmail, and Microsoft 365.

This workshop is designed for beginners. No tech expertise required, just a willingness to work smarter. You'll leave with practical skills you can implement immediately, along with templates and resources to help you get started. Whether you're a solo church administrator or part of a small staff team, you'll walk away with tools to reduce busywork and amplify your church's mission.

About the Presenter

Thaddeus Sieverding is the founder of FaithMesh.io, where he helps mainline churches navigate digital ministry and strategic communications. Before launching his own company, he served as the Communications, Technology, and Events Specialist for the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ.

An active UCC member, Thaddeus has represented New Hampshire at two General Synods and serves on the Committee of Church Empowerment in the Granite State Association. He's currently studying Business Administration with a focus in Marketing at the University of New Hampshire's Paul College of Business and Economics, combining academic learning with hands-on ministry experience.

As a Gen Z church professional, Thaddeus understands both the digital landscape younger generations navigate and the timeless mission of the church. He helps congregations communicate effectively across generational lines while staying true to their core values