Real Faith in an AI World: Rethinking Digital Ministry

Bridge the gap between timeless truths and emerging technologies

4
Weeks
October 14, 2024
Start Date
4
Contact Hours
Enroll Now

Bridge the gap between timeless truths and emerging technologies

Picture a church where AI enhances Bible study, virtual reality connects far-flung congregants, and your ministry spans continents. This isn't science fiction—it's the new frontier of digital ministry.

The landscape of faith is undergoing a wild transformation. Many of us experienced it during the pandemic, when we greeted online visitors from far and wide. But that was only a taste of what was to come.

As physical attendance wanes and online engagement surges, we find ourselves at a crossroads of tradition and innovation, a space where artificial Intelligence isn't just a buzzword—it's reshaping how we learn, connect, and support our faith communities. A crucial question emerges: How do we nurture authentic faith and meaningful connections in this increasingly tech-driven world?

Welcome to the Real Faith in an AI World: Rethinking Digital Ministry Learning Community. Here, we don't just react to change—we thoughtfully engage with it. From the rich history of digital ministry to the ethical application of AI tools, we'll explore how to bridge the gap between timeless truths and emerging technologies. Join us as we step into this call to reimagine faith formation, build vibrant online communities, and responsibly leverage technology to support our spiritual mission.

 

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This course was very engaging, very practical, and very enriching for me. I came away excited to implement some of the learning with my congregation! - A Faith+Lead Learner

 

If you are grappling with the challenges of digital ministry as…

  • An ordained church or ministry leader or
  • A lay person helping out in the sound booth, the office, a social media role, or anywhere else…

Then this course is for you! Your learning community will spend four weeks learning, applying, reflecting, and engaging with spiritual practices as you discern how to effectively sustain your ministry outside its four walls in the online space, today and through future shifts.

 

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What Will You Learn?

​​Throughout this month of learning, you’ll discover:

  • How digital ministry has evolved over the years—and what that means for faith communities.
  • Various digital ministry models, their unique characteristics, and how to decide which models make sense in your context.
  • Practical strategies for navigating and thriving in a tech-shaped culture.
  • Insights into the transformative potential—and significant dangers—of AI in faith-based contexts.
  • Opportunities to engage with cutting-edge tools and technologies reshaping modern ministry.
  • Interactive exercises to apply AI and digital tools to your specific ministry context.
  • Faithful ways to address ethical concerns and potential pitfalls of AI and other digital technology in Christian settings.
  • Methods for integrating digital ministry and AI while maintaining authentic human connections.
  • Strategies for leading congregations through technological transitions with grace and wisdom.
  • Hands-on experience creating AI-assisted content for various ministry communication channels (no, you can’t just ask AI to write your sermon for you!).

 

Most importantly...

You’ll learn how to embrace digital ministry and AI as tools to enhance, not replace, authentic faith formation and community building a tech-shaped culture.

 

How Does It Work?

 

 

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Complete Weekly Asynchronous Learning Activities

Each week, you'll be assigned a curated collection of videos, podcasts, and articles to help prepare you for the live workshop session on Mondays.

 

Join the Live Workshops

Gather with your learning communities on Mondays at noon Central for interactive live learning, led by Ryan. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions, connect and share with your cohort members, and engage practical learning activities. Can't make it to a given session? No worries, we'll always post the recording.

 

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Implement Your Learning in Your Context

Over the course of the four weeks you gather together, take your learning and apply it in your context. Then, bring your questions, observations, challenges, and wins back to your weekly cohort for problem-solving and support.

 

Join an upcoming cohort.

Live meetings with a supportive group.

Navigating a Tech-Based Culture

Learn about the relationship between technology and culture today, deepen your awareness of tech’s (positive and negative) impact on faith and belief, and audit the top technologies used within your faith communities

 

What is Digital Ministry?

Understand the history and constant evolution of digital ministry in your context.

 

Digital Ministry Models

Explore and evaluate the three most common models of digital ministry.

 

Why AI Changes Everything

Discuss what trust and lived, human experience have to do with AI’s new presence and voice in sacred spaces and big questions.

 

Practical Uses of AI

Look at the dos and don’ts of AI’s possible uses in Bible study creation, newsletter-writing, and more.

 

Leading through Digital Reformation

Dive into leadership and change management in our digitally-shaped world and faith communities.

 

What's Included

  • Live Dates:
    • October 14th, 21st, 28th, and November 4th, 2024 from 12:00 p.m to 1:00 p.m. Central
  • A private community of supportive peers engaging with similar challenges.
  • Guided opportunities to engage with AI and other tools for practical application in your context.
  • Weekly spiritual practices and reflection exercises to engage the learning with your head, heart, and soul.
  • 12 months of access to the on-demand video modules and other content.
  • The grounding you need to step forward into the future of digital ministry with faith and confidence.

 

Single Payment

$99

Apply for a Scholarship Enroll Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! This course has application for anyone involved in church ministry and faith community leadership, whether in an ordained, lay, or volunteer capacity.

 

All live sessions are designed to be highly interactive, but if you miss one, you can catch up by connecting with the online group, accessing shared resources, and reviewing session notes provided by the facilitators.

 

Yes, lay leaders who regularly preach are welcome to join. The learning community is designed to support anyone involved in preaching, regardless of ordination status.

 

Don’t see your question addressed?
Email us at [email protected] for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!

Meet Your Instructor

Ryan Panzer
Ryan Panzer

Ryan Panzer is the author of “Grace and Gigabytes: Being Church in a Tech-Shaped Culture” (Fortress Press, 2020) and "The Holy and the Hybrid: Navigating the Church's Digital Reformation" (Fortress Press, 2022). Ryan has spent his career in the worlds of church leadership and technology. He received his M.A. from Luther Seminary while simultaneously working for Google. Ryan serves as a learning and leadership development professional in the technology industry and as a speaker and writer on digital technology in the church. Ryan also serves as the Theologian in Residence at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Madison, WI. For more writings and resources, visit www.ryanpanzer.com.

 

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