AI Church Toolkit

Episode 12 - Reflections and Future Directions: Wrapping Up Season One

In this final episode of Season One, Mercedes and Peter reflect on what they’ve learned over six months of exploring AI and ministry. From shifting use patterns to theological concerns, from project workflows to mental health implications, they chart both practical strategies and faithful commitments for churches navigating an AI-shaped world. Topics Covered: * Sci-fi stories as mirrors for our hopes and fears about AI * Why relational ministry can’t be automated * The emotional effects of AI vs. social media * Reasoning models and context engineering in ChatGPT * What AI can and can’t do for church communications and planning * Human oversight, authenticity, and theological discernment * How AI is accelerating—and why that matters for churches * AI agents, multimodal tools, and upcoming tech like GPT-5 * Mental health concerns and potential risks of AI use * The enduring value of community and the spoken word * Personal updates and what’s next for Peter and Mercedes Resources Mentioned: * Living Stories Sermons: livingstoriessermons.org [http://livingstoriessermons.org] * Spike Jonze’s He [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Her_(2013_film)]r (film) * Brandon Sanderson’s Skyward series [https://www.brandonsanderson.com/pages/skyward-series] (featuring the AI “M-Bot”) * Murderbot Diaries [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murderbot_(TV_series)] (TV adaptation mentioned by Peter) * The Murder Bot Diaries [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murderbot_(TV_series)](book series by Martha Wells) * Neil Stephenson’s Fall or, Dodge in Hell [https://www.nealstephenson.com/fall,-or-dodge-in-hell.html] Homework: * Try building a ChatGPT Project Folder for a current ministry task—use it for planning, then test it again for communications. * Reflect on your values: What parts of your work are deeply relational and should never be automated? * Watch a sci-fi film or read a story that features AI. What values does it reflect? What fears or hopes does it raise? * (00:08) - GPT5 from OpenAI is expected to come out very soon * (00:11) - Moore's Law says computing power doubles every two years * (00:29) - Authenticity in the church using artificial intelligence * (00:36) - Using AI to help write more fluently and more quickly * (00:54) - The usefulness of reasoning models * (00:56) - Closing Thoughts

Sr. Ilia Delio on AI, Evolution, and Who We’re Becoming

Sr. Ilia Delio, OSF, joins Peter and Mercedes for a conversation that weaves theology, science, and technology into a hopeful and challenging vision for the future. Drawing on Teilhard de Chardin’s evolutionary theology, she invites us to see AI not merely as a tool but as part of the unfolding of creation itself. Together, they explore what it means to become more whole, more relational, and more deeply rooted in divine love in an age shaped by artificial intelligence. Topics Covered: * AI as human augmentation and biological extension * The theology of Teilhard de Chardin and cosmic evolution * The Adamic myth and how it influences modern perspectives on technology * AI, collective consciousness, and global interconnectedness * The ethical implications of AI in a capitalist system * Defining personhood in an evolutionary worldview * Moving from categorical to networked thinking in younger generations * Developing spiritual practices alongside technological advancement * Living from our God-centered being while engaging AI Resources Mentioned: * Ilia Delio, Re-enchanting the Earth [https://orbisbooks.com/products/re-enchanting-the-earth?_pos=5&_sid=9ad5a2ba6&_ss=r] * Ilia Delio, Integral Ecology in an Age of AI [https://christogenesis.org/integral-ecology-in-an-age-of-ai/] * Teilhard de Chardin [https://www.google.com/search?num=10&sca_esv=f3fe50cfd75d2507&sxsrf=AE3TifN2neQ4i_4bgQmzde8H7yCEtQTtow:1751519036194&q=teilhard+de+chardin+books&si=AMgyJEtDxB6p5hL22SZYE8S1njE4Q4XSaFNxG0KoOjaHxrh1zlQp1v_uqXXD6OMDeUunZUFQeOuo9ijQ1FIlPw4au4ioqX61G73SQT_cmRYj4Lv_TWgS_LIQV0mYd9R6wo_pApDDyL20yuCPS7zx0rm1HFagidMnUw%3D%3D&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwju3-Dv9J-OAxVI8MkDHekyHj4Qw_oBegQIRRAB&ictx=1&biw=1543&bih=1253&dpr=0.9] * David Noble, The Religion of Technology [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/331339/the-religion-of-technology-by-david-f-noble/]  * Catherine Hales, How We Became Posthuman [https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/H/bo3769963.html] * Erich Jantsch, The Self-Organizing Universe: Scientific and Human Implications of the Emerging Paradigm of Evolution [https://www.amazon.com/Self-Organizing-Universe-Scientific-Implications-Innovations/dp/0080243118] * (00:08) - Does AI enhance or diminish face-to-face connection? * (00:17) - Cultivating a mindset that feels at home with AI * (00:34) - Teilhard: Humanity has a “God problem” with AI * (00:35) - David Noble: AI is enhancing human function and capacity * (00:42) - Peter Singer: AI might help us recover broader moral thinking * (00:44) - Mercedes: Complexity is driving today’s evolution * (00:50) - Teilhard: Love is at the heart of all cosmic life * (00:55) - What are we living into in this moment of AI development? * (00:56) - A critique of AI based on the social media era * (00:56) - Reflections from the Episcopal Church’s AI ethics task force

AI, Agency, and the Church: A Crossroads Crossover

In this special crossover episode with the Crossroads podcast, Peter and Mercedes are joined by The Rev. Jo Nygard Owens and Dr. Sonia Coman of Washington National Cathedral. Together, they explore what it means to engage AI thoughtfully and faithfully—from theological reflection to digital strategy, from ethical caution to spiritual curiosity. The conversation invites listeners to embrace imagination, resist fear, and reclaim human agency in a rapidly shifting digital landscape. Topics Covered * Defining intelligence, agency, and the Imago Dei in a world of machine decision-making * What “authenticity” means in the age of machine-written texts * Discernment, formation, and critical thinking across age groups * The risk of opacity in automated systems and importance of transparency * Pausing before automation: reclaiming intention, emotion, and spiritual grounding * Why we need shared vocabulary—and shared discernment—across the Church Resources Mentioned * Searches: Selfhood in a Digital Age by Vaushini Vara [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/745381/searches-by-vauhini-vara/] * Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari [https://www.ynharari.com/book/nexus/] * Crossroads Podcast [https://cathedral.org/worship/digital-ministry/podcast/]from Washington National Cathedral * Research on AI interpretability by Anthropic [https://www.anthropic.com/news/tracing-thoughts-language-model] Homework Reach out to us and let us know how you’ve found generative AI to be useful in church ministry. You can email at info@aichurchtoolkit.com [info@aichurchtoolkit.com]. We’d love to share ideas in our final episode of the season as we consider a round-up of our topics and how things are evolving.

AI, Ethics, and Empathy: A Conversation with Rev. Lauren Grubaugh Thomas

In this episode, Peter speaks with the Rev. Lauren Grubaugh Thomas, founding vicar of Holy Companion Episcopal Church and creator of A Soulful Revolution [https://laurengrubaughthomas.substack.com/]. Together, they explore the ethical and pastoral complexities of generative AI—its creative potential, its risks, and how the church can faithfully engage with this rapidly evolving technology. Lauren draws on insights from Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower, shares stories from her ministry, and reflects on how spiritual formation, agency, and justice intersect with digital tools. From AI’s inherent bias to the dangers of false intimacy, this episode invites listeners to bring curiosity and caution as they shape change in an AI-shaped world. Resources Mentioned * Parable of the Sower [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52397.Parable_of_the_Sower] by Octavia Butler * Roots and Wings at VTS Center [https://vts.edu/resource/roots-and-wings/]  * A Kid’s Book About AI Bias [https://www.avrielepps.com/book] by Dr. Avril Epps * “A Soulful Revolution [https://laurengrubaughthomas.substack.com/]” by Lauren Grubaugh Thomas (Substack) * Brittany Hartley [https://nononsensespirituality.com/] Homework * Lauren invites listeners to reflect on their own use of AI with questions such as: * Does this output reflect a just world? * Does it reinforce an unfair hierarchy? * Does it promote the agency and power of children (and others) to shape the world?

Meaning, Intention, and AI — A Conversation with Kyle Oliver

Priest, educator, and digital ministry expert Kyle Oliver joins Peter to explore the possibilities and perils of AI in content creation, Christian formation, and online communication. They reflect on the tension between productivity and presence, and what faithful engagement might look like. Topics Covered * Kyle’s cautious experimentation with generative AI in content creation. * The struggle for creative control and the limits of “black box” tools. * What happens when beauty is decoupled from intention in digital art and music. * AI’s impact on church communications and how to maintain a human voice. * Concerns about AI-generated content overwhelming social platforms. * The temptation of superhuman productivity and resisting false intimacy. * Using AI for feedback, coaching, and spiritual discipline—while staying grounded in community. * Why Christian formation needs to help people remember they are finite and beloved. Homework * Reflect on the balance between productivity and intention in your own use of AI. * Try using AI to offer feedback on one of your recent creative or teaching efforts—then evaluate what’s helpful and what’s not. * Ask yourself: Does this tool help me flourish—or tempt me to forget I’m human? Resources * Kyle Oliver’s Website [https://www.kyleoliver.net/] * “Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age” Vauhini Vara [https://www.vauhinivara.com/searches] * Ryan Broderick’s Garbage Day newsletter [https://www.garbageday.email/] * AI Church Toolkit website [https://aichurchtoolkit.com/] * Platformer by Casey Newton [https://www.platformer.news/] * (00:00) - Chapter 1 * (00:00) - Chapter 2 * (00:00) - Chapter 3 * (00:00) - Chapter 4 * (00:00) - Chapter 5 * (00:00) - Chapter 6 * (00:00) - Chapter 7 * (00:00) - Chapter 8 * (00:00) - Chapter 9 * (00:04) - How do we respond to AI generated content on social media platforms * (00:08) - Peter Frum says people need to get in touch with finitude * (00:09) - OpenAI's ChatGPT could potentially be used for real manipulation * (00:10) - Modern art seems to have already experienced decoupling of beauty and intention * (00:12) - I'm reading a book called Search searches Selfhood in a Digital Age * (00:16) - How do you see Christian formation changing in light of generative AI * (00:17) - How are you using generative AI in your ministry today * (00:18) - You are an expert in digital communications ministry as well as Christian formation * (00:32) - Kyla: In this era we need to resist temptation and evil * (00:43) - What sci fi world are we living into in this present moment of AI development