Discover how to leverage technology in your church

Depending on who you ask, AI is either in the process of revolutionizing life as we know it or fading quickly and quietly into obscurity. The truth, as with most things, is somewhere in the middle. There are definitely ways that today’s AI agents can be used to make people, even pastors, more productive, or give them a starting point. But they’re not foolproof, and they simply aren’t at a point (nor, I would argue, will they ever be) where they can replace the human element that’s essential to pastoral ministry.

We hear a lot about data in the news—whether that’s major data breaches or ways to protect your personal information stored on your phone or computer. But when it comes to your church data, it’s equally important to abide by some church data management practices to ensure that your members’ information is secure, accurate, and usable. 

As a continuation of Rev. Bill Johnson’s previous blog post, “Answering Common Questions About Using AI in Ministry,” this article takes a deeper look at certain cautions to be taken when using AI for ministry-related tasks.

Jump to the following questions: 

• Are there theological or ethical concerns? 
• What risks or limitations should I know about before trusting AI?
• How do I make sure I’m not replacing thoughtful, Spirit-led work?
• How has AI already helped church workers?
• What’s a task you’ve seen AI handle surprisingly well—and one it really doesn’t?
• If I want to start using AI but don’t have time to learn a new tool, where should I begin?
• How do I stay informed without getting overwhelmed?

Church administration is a job that requires a variety of skills, from attention to detail to interpersonal relationships, from organization to flexibility. Church administrators and office managers are valuable servants of the church that keep our churches running behind the scenes.

These days, we hear a lot about artificial intelligence (AI). While it has its pitfalls, it can be helpful in the ministry setting. In this article, Rev. Bill Johnson answers some common questions about AI in ministry and offers advice for getting started. 

In almost any season of the Church Year, there are special events or holiday services—from summer block parties to midweek Lenten services to children’s Christmas programs. Managing these types of church holiday events can be an overwhelming task for any church staff, especially if you’re responsible for all facets of an event.

Churches rely on volunteers to keep things running—from worship to events to community outreach, the members of your church are an integral part of the life of your church. Using a church volunteer coordination software to enhance your scheduling and communication can streamline your admin team’s efforts. 

Electronic giving is an increasingly popular method for giving among church congregations. If you’re looking to encourage church eGiving, you’re not alone.

When you’re choosing a church management software, you need to ask yourself (and your team) a series of questions to figure out which option is the best for you. It can be overwhelming to figure out what’s most important, especially when making a big investment like this.

Most church staff and volunteers use their church management software every day without thinking about the technology under the hood. But a little knowledge can go a long way in making these tools easier to use and adapt. Understanding the fundamentals of relational databases—the way data is structured in these systems—can empower church workers to better navigate their software and even customize it to fit their ministry’s needs.