Fifth-generation Kansan, United Methodist preacher, husband, and father. Passionate about teaching, preaching, and fostering inclusive communities. I am dedicated to advancing racial reconciliation and helping individuals grow spiritually, and I am excited to serve where God leads.
Have you ever found yourself scrolling through your phone late at night, searching for something—anything—that might fill that restless feeling inside? Maybe you add items to your online cart, scroll through social media, or binge another episode of that show you’re not even enjoying anymore. We keep consuming, keep searching, keep spending time and money […]
Anyone who’s driven Kansas roads at night knows the feeling. You’re cruising along, and suddenly the road drops into a valley. The darkness seems to swallow your headlights. No streetlights, no house lights, just you and the black road ahead. Even familiar roads feel foreign in those valleys. You grip the wheel tighter, slow down, […]
Picture this scene: A store checkout line during holiday shopping season. A customer loudly yells at a young cashier over a coupon that won’t scan, questioning her competence, her intelligence, even her right to have this job. The line grows longer. People shift uncomfortably. Everyone sees what’s happening, everyone knows it’s wrong, but nobody speaks […]
We just heard Brad and Diane share incredible news: $420,328 in First Fruits giving toward Tomorrow First. Take that in for a moment. That number represents more than money—it demonstrates faith in action. You’re investing in future generations you may never meet, trusting that God transforms present resources into lasting blessings. This is what happens […]
Anyone else already putting up Christmas lights? I’ve seen several houses with full displays already. It’s not even Thanksgiving yet! We may shake our heads at neighbors who string lights in November, but honestly, I get it. I’m actually thinking about doing the same while the weather’s still decent – better now than wrestling with […]
Have you ever been in a meeting where everyone knew something was wrong, but nobody wanted to say it? The project was failing. The budget wasn’t realistic. The elephant in the room grew bigger with each passing minute. Yet everyone smiled, nodded, and moved to the next agenda item. We’ve all been there—that uncomfortable moment […]
Anyone else wake up this morning confused about what time it actually was? Between the Halloween sugar crash and this morning’s time change, many of us are probably feeling a bit disoriented. There’s something oddly fitting about feeling off-balance on All Saints Sunday—a day when we straddle the line between remembering those who’ve gone before […]
As we conclude this series on AI and Wesleyan ministry, we must look beyond current capabilities to prepare for emerging technologies. Virtual reality, quantum computing, brain-computer interfaces, and artificial general intelligence aren’t science fiction—they’re developing rapidly. How can churches prepare for technologies we can barely imagine while maintaining theological faithfulness? The answer lies not in […]
Successful AI integration in ministry requires more than individual pastoral competence—it needs congregational engagement. Building an AI-equipped ministry team involves training, empowerment, and cultural change. Here’s how to move from solo experimentation to congregational transformation, ensuring technology serves the whole body of Christ rather than creating digital divisions. Begin with a small coalition of the […]
Have you ever ventured into your basement or storage area and confronted the graveyard of good intentions? Many of us have those boxes labeled “someday”—the craft supplies, the exercise equipment, the project kits we bought with such enthusiasm. Our family’s basement holds evidence of unfinished dreams, each one started with genuine excitement, each one set […]
The seal of the confessional has protected pastoral confidences for centuries. Today’s digital ministry requires translating these ancient principles into new contexts. When AI tools process prayer requests, sermon illustrations involve personal stories, and digital platforms store sensitive information, maintaining confidentiality becomes both more complex and more critical. Here’s how to steward information faithfully in […]
As we’ve explored AI’s potential for enhancing ministry, we must also clearly acknowledge its limitations. Certain aspects of pastoral ministry remain irreducibly human and spiritual, beyond any algorithm’s capability. Understanding these boundaries isn’t about fearing technology but about preserving what makes ministry truly transformational—the mysterious intersection of human relationship and divine grace. The incarnation—God becoming […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 