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 […]
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 […]
Wesley’s insistence that there is “no holiness but social holiness” reminds us that personal salvation cannot be separated from social transformation. Justice ministry isn’t optional for Methodists—it’s essential to our identity. AI tools can amplify justice work by identifying needs, coordinating responses, tracking impact, and connecting local efforts with broader movements. Here’s how to leverage […]
Have you ever missed an important phone call because you didn’t recognize the number? You let it go to voicemail, only to discover later it was exactly the opportunity you’d been hoping for. We live surrounded by notifications, yet often miss the most important messages – especially when God is calling. Here’s what I’ve learned […]
Many of us have mastered the art of the uncomfortable church nap. You know the one – where you’re trying to stay respectfully upright while your eyelids wage war against consciousness. Maybe it happens during the pastoral prayer, or when someone is explaining a financial report. Your head starts that telltale bob, and you jerk […]
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 […]
Many of us experience moments when life feels like it’s shifting around us. Maybe you’re helping kids prepare for school starting in a few weeks, wondering where this summer went. Perhaps you’re dealing with changes at work, health challenges in your family, or simply trying to figure out what comes next in some area of […]
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 […]
Stories have a unique power to help us understand life’s deepest truths. Think about the last time a movie suddenly made something click for you—maybe a character’s struggle mirrored your own, or their journey gave you hope when you needed it most. Today, we’re exploring how a beloved story reveals timeless truths about faith, courage, […]
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 