In this episode of the Digital Ministry Podcast, host Nick chats with Don Barger, Director of Innovation and MX Labs at IMB, about AI's growing role in ministry.

• Don’s Journey with AI: He shares his path into AI and how IMB is exploring its potential to support ministry innovation.

• AI for Ministry: From developers to new users, they discuss the range of engagement with AI tools and the importance of data security in ministry contexts.

• AI Projects: Don highlights his team’s work, including a secure global chatbot using the Llama 3.1 model and AI-driven ad campaigns.

• Managing AI Expectations: They cover the challenges of AI's rapid evolution, its impact on expectations, and the need for a strategic approach.

• Future Vision: They explore AI’s power to automate tasks and free up resources, allowing people to focus on what matters most.

Join us for a closer look into how AI is shaping the future of ministry!

Links for other sources or information mentioned

• IMB: https://www.imb.org/
• Prediction Guard: https://www.predictionguard.com/
• Synthesia: https://www.synthesia.io/
• Llama 3.1: https://ai.facebook.com/blog/llama-2-open-foundation-and-fine-tuned-chat-models/

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In this episode, Nick Runyon shares his thoughts on the use of AI in digital ministry and prayer. He discusses the rapid advancement of AI and the ethical concerns about it potentially becoming smarter than humans. He emphasizes the importance of human interaction in digital ministry and follow-up processes while acknowledging that AI can be useful in many other areas of ministry.

Nick recalls an instance where Justin Murff led a meeting with other leaders using an AI-generated prayer. The prayer received mixed reactions and sparked a discussion about the role of AI tools in ministry.

The episode delves into the debate over whether AI-generated prayers are appropriate or if they diminish the role of the Holy Spirit. The core question centers on whether the person leading the prayer is Spirit-led.

Join us as we explore this topic, returning to the Bible to examine the connection between God and humanity and the roles of humans in ministry and the Holy Spirit in prayer.

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In this episode, Justin Murff shares his journey from media to ministry, offering deep insights into the complexities of faith in the Middle East and the rise of digital churches. Justin highlights the unique challenges faced by new believers from Muslim backgrounds and emphasizes the importance of fostering inclusive, safe online communities for spiritual growth.

We explore the transformative impact of COVID-19 on digital ministry and discuss how technology has become a powerful tool for outreach, especially in regions where traditional church gatherings are restricted. Justin also addresses the cultural and political divides that affect church attendance, explaining how digital platforms can bridge the gap and even inspire physical church planting.

Join us as we delve into the evolving landscape of digital churches, the crucial role of digital missionaries, and the potential for greater collaboration across church networks to support faith communities around the globe.

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How do we take digital ministry beyond streaming services and create real community? In this episode, we sit down once more with Jay Kranda, online community pastor at Saddleback Church, to dive into the insights from his latest book Online Church is Not the Answer. Jay also shares in this episode his experience in building a balanced ministry, emphasizing the importance of fostering in-person engagement while leveraging digital tools. From AI-driven discipleship to future digital movements, Jay's ideas will inspire you to rethink online church.

Tune in now and discover how to transform your church’s digital strategy!

• Online Church Is Not The Answer - is a newly published book written by Jay Kranda challenges the common approach of streaming church services as the main form of digital ministry. The book encourages churches to think more strategically about integrating digital tools in ways that complement in-person ministry.

• Gemini - a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Google.

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In this episode, we sit down with Kim Tarlton, General Manager for Church Communications Group, to discuss the most effective ways churches can leverage digital platforms. Kim shares her expertise on understanding your target audience across platforms like church websites, social media, and apps. She introduces the concept of the "three rings of marketing," which involves communicating to your church community, reaching those seeking a church, and engaging with individuals who have a felt need.

Kim provides practical advice on tailoring your church’s messaging and resources to each of these groups, with a special emphasis on creating a welcoming website homepage for first-time visitors. We dive into the critical role of digital presence, exploring how blogs can boost SEO, and how platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube can showcase church life and engage potential visitors. We also discuss the shift from in-person to online church attendance, the importance of clear calls to action, and the future of the church in a digital world that longs for more intimate and community-focused gatherings.

Tune in for valuable insights on how to enhance your church’s digital strategy and make a meaningful impact online.

Show Notes:

• Three rings of church marketing -it involves communicating to your church community, reaching those seeking a church, and engaging with individuals who have a felt need.

• Adwords - Previously Adwords, now known as Google Ads, is an online advertising platform developed by Google. It allows businesses to display ads on Google's search engine results pages and other sites in the Google Display Network.

• DoubleClick Inc. - was an American advertising company that specialized in providing internet ad serving services from 1995 until it was acquired by Google in March 2008.

The Chosen - is the first multi-season TV series that tells the story of Jesus' life, offering a unique perspective by showing Him through the eyes of those who knew Him.

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In this episode Natchi Lazarus explores emerging trends and future potential of AI in ministry. He discusses the critical role of AI tools like custom GPTs and AI agents, appealing to ministry leaders to stay informed about both the benefits and risks. Natchi draws parallels between generative AI and the Biblical concept of creation, emphasizing the need for strategic thinking to navigate the AI landscape. He also highlights the potential of AI in social media management, particularly for enhancing Youtube channel impact and efficiency.

Tune in for valuable insights on integrating AI into ministry effectively!

Show Notes:

• Perplexity AI- is a platform that uses artificial intelligence and natural language processing (NLP) to answer user queries in a question-and-answer format. It helps users find information quickly and efficiently, similar to a search engine or virtual assistant.

• Adwords - now known as Google Ads, is an online advertising platform developed by Google. It allows businesses to display ads on Google's search engine results pages and other sites in the Google Display Network.

• Red Sky Mourning- is a novel by Jack Carr is the seventh installment in the James Reece series. The novel features former Navy SEAL James Reece as he faces a rogue Chinese submarine armed with nuclear missiles, a tech mogul advancing quantum computing and AI, and a politician under foreign influence. A crucial quantum computer named "Alice" may either save or doom the country

• Claude- is an Artificial Intelligence, trained by Anthropic using Constitutional AI. Like ChatGPT, Claude is an AI chatbot with a special large language model (LLM) running behind it.

• Generative AI- a type of artificial intelligence technology that broadly describes machine learning systems capable of generating text, images, code or other types of content, often in response to a prompt entered by a user.
  
  

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In this episode, we pinned down the critical role of social interaction on social media platforms and how to build meaningful connections with your audience. Join our host as he explores three key strategies for effective engagement:

• Responding to Comments: Learn how to craft a solid engagement strategy that encourages dialogue and interaction.

• Understanding the Algorithm: Discover why comments, likes, and shares are crucial for your content’s visibility and success.

• Being Responsive: Find out the importance of engaging in both public and private conversations, enhancing your relationships with followers.

We also cover the use of chatbots to help maintain timely responses and keep your audience engaged. As we wrap up, we’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback! Your engagement is vital, so don't hesitate to connect. Tune in and elevate your social media strategy to new heights!

• Vanity Metrics- A vanity metric in social media is a metric that measures the popularity or engagement of a social media account or post.

• Chat bot- A chatbot is a software that mimics human conversation with users. While not all chatbots use artificial intelligence (AI), more advanced ones now use techniques like natural language processing (NLP) to understand questions and automatically respond.

• Being Responsive: Find out the importance of engaging in both public and private conversations, enhancing your relationships with followers.

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