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 […]
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 […]
Small membership churches—those under 100 in average attendance—comprise the majority of Methodist congregations. These churches face unique challenges: limited budgets, volunteer shortages, bivocational pastors, and aging demographics. Yet they also possess unique strengths: deep relationships, community knowledge, and agility. AI tools, properly scaled and implemented, can multiply small church impact without requiring large investments or […]
Ministry doesn’t pause between Sundays. The weekly rhythm of pastoral work—administration, communication, visitation, preparation, and coordination—can either energize or exhaust. AI tools, thoughtfully integrated into weekly workflows, can reduce administrative burden while enhancing ministry effectiveness. Here’s a practical guide to using AI throughout your ministry week, creating sustainable rhythms that serve both congregation and pastor. […]
September in Kansas brings its annual comedy show—watching neighbors simultaneously run their air conditioners and heaters on the same day. Maybe you’ve overheard someone say, “I wore shorts this morning and needed a jacket by lunch!” This weather whiplash mirrors something deeper in our lives. We constantly adjust, trying to control our comfort and security. […]
Labor Day weekend—when half of McPherson still grills outside while the other half has already switched to soup season. Have you seen anyone put both a huge fan and a space heater in the garage “just in case.” We Kansans know how to prepare for anything, don’t we? We live ready for both scorching heat […]
Anyone else ever watch the “Public Right to Know” Facebook group? Someone posts about a pothole, a question about the city, or some other random thing and within hours it just might turn into a digital mob scene. One person makes a snarky comment, then another piles on, and suddenly everyone’s competing to be the […]
Last week at Walmart, I watched what looked like a grandmother navigate the back-to-school aisles with what I assumed were three grandchildren. Each child gravitated toward different supplies—one wanted sparkly notebooks, another chose plain black, the third picked folders covered in dinosaurs. She smiled and said, “You each know exactly what you need.” That simple […]
Stories change how we see the world. A good movie can shift our perspective, revealing possibilities we never imagined. In “How to Train Your Dragon,” a young Viking named Hiccup discovers everything his village believed about dragons was wrong. These weren’t mindless monsters but intelligent creatures capable of friendship and loyalty. The film resonates because […]
Picture this: You’re at a family reunion, catching up with relatives you haven’t seen in years. As you share stories, you realize how many of you ended up somewhere completely different than you planned. Maybe you’re living in a town you never meant to stay in. Maybe you’re in a job that was supposed to […]
Stories grab our attention because they show us truths about ourselves that plain facts often miss. This afternoon marks the final performance of the McPherson Community Theater’s production of “Chicago” at the McPherson Opera House—a Jazz Age musical that’s entertained audiences for nearly fifty years. Today, we’ll explore how this Tony Award-winning show reveals timeless […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 