AI and the Church

How should churches start implementing AI?

AI and the ChurchThaddeus and Rev. Andrew

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Thaddeus: I think most people are cautiously optimistic about artificial intelligence because they can see the benefits, the efficiencies that it can bring, but they also see these negatives of like you know, how do you stay authentic using artificial intelligence if all that artificial intelligence is, is the median of everything?

Rev. Andrew: And are we going to become so used to what is presented to us using artificial intelligence that then the human voice, a direct human connection and experience is actually going to take on even more power? Like I feel like a lot of churches are feeling despair in the face of modernity, but I think our calling and our impact is actually growing because we, we cut through, we break through in a different way, we land in a different way. We're never gonna have the technology or the ability to compete with every advancement that comes out. But isn't that a strength for us? Because when people ever feel burned out or burned down by all these advancements around them, we are always here for them in a way that they're just not gonna find elsewhere.

Thaddeus: Right

Rev. Andrew: I don't think we should be untouched by AI. I think like your point is so critical, which is like, hey, maybe it frees people with some time that they would spend purely on administrative tasks that actually take away from time and interpersonal ministry. So maybe AI is doing this both and thing, where it's like, wow, it's freeing me for more time for interpersonal connection while also making the power of interpersonal connection bolder and stronger in the face of so much around us feeling kind of fake.

Thaddeus: Right, and I think that's where a lot of churches are fearfully even try and experiment with AI is because like it is a fine line to walk. But once you do start to experiment with it and maybe bring it into some more administrative things, your church will find that it actually frees you up to do more with your local community and do more ministry.

Rev. Andrew: I couldn't agree more. Like I was in a council meeting a few weeks ago and someone mentioned that they had written a document that we were using in the meeting with AI, and I, I was horrified. I was like, oh my gosh, everybody, we've not talked about this yet. We've not had our AI chat. Like what, what are we comfortable using it for? What, what about it concerns us? It's this weird both and thing, which I think so much of ministry right now is about the both and. But we're in this dueling dualistic time. So we want to say, AI good, AI bad. But I think it's really this both and thing where AI can both free us and help us have more time for the parts of ministry we love and the parts of ministry that are sorely needed. Because I do not believe we should go so far in the direction of AI that we miss the power of the spoken word, that we miss the power of a human being reflecting on scripture and applying scripture to their life.