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** Mixing ministry and technology
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The headlines hit us fast and furious these days. I am grateful that the Century’s content—whether about those headlines (scroll down for some articles like this) or about broader developments and historical trends—is deliberative and thoughtful. One of these developments is the rise of artificial intelligence, and we have two fascinating new pieces about the limitations of AI in ministry settings—one focused on prayer and preaching ([link removed]) and one focused on chaplaincy work ([link removed]) .

As promised, we also have some timely pieces on topics in the news. In response to the docu-series Shiny Happy People, the second season of which covers the now-defunct Teen Mania Ministries, we have an essay from a former Teen Mania intern reflecting on the confrontational nature of life in that ministry ([link removed]) . In Sam Wells’s final Voices column, he takes stock of the war in Gaza and writes about his confusion in a letter to the nation of Israel ([link removed]) .

Our video of the week follows up last week’s featured article on religious pluralism. Alex DeMarco describes to me how and why he came to practice both Christianity and Buddhism ([link removed]) . Plus scroll down for an essay about the rise and fall of children’s Sunday School ([link removed]) , a reflection on the relationship between faith and truth ([link removed]) , and more.

Jon Mathieu
Email me (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Technology%20in%20ministry&body=Jon%2C%20) : Describe a time you observed, for better or worse, technology used in ministry.
Click to schedule ([link removed]) a Friday lunch chat with Jon
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** The priesthood of all chatbots? ([link removed])
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“What we lose in all the aggregating and synthesizing is the communion of saints.”

by Zac Koons
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** My artificial chaplains ([link removed])
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“I would fail David, an AI-generated spiritual counselor, if he were a student in my chaplaincy class.”

by Danielle Tumminio Hansen
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** VIDEO: When Christianity and Buddhism mix ([link removed])
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Alex DeMarco tells Jon why and how he came to practice both religions.
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** In the Lectionary for August 24 (Ordinary 21C) ([link removed])
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Sensing danger does not alone a prophet make.
by Greg Carey

Ordinary 21C archives ([link removed])
Get even more lectionary resources with Sunday’s Coming Premium, an email newsletter from the editors of the Christian Century. Learn more ([link removed]) .


** Shiny happy confrontations ([link removed])
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“The problem was that the emphasis on confrontation was combined with purity culture, strict obedience to authority, and constant sin-extraction. This turned do-gooder kids like me into uptight rule-mongers.”

by Melissa Kuipers


** Dear Israel ([link removed])
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“I understand that any call for a ceasefire or arms embargo may suggest to Hamas that its actions are not seen as abhorrent and may empower it to resume its merciless ambitions. Still, I need help to understand how the death of 20,000 children makes Israel safer.”

by Sam Wells


** The rise and fall of children’s Sunday school ([link removed])
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“When I retire, I want to run a Sunday school. I’ll do it for free, and I’ll do it with whatever is left—in a corner of the fellowship hall, in the back of the narthex, or in one of those aging Sunday school rooms.”

by Stephanie Perdew


** Post-truth Christians ([link removed])
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“The same demographic that, 20 years ago, was adamant about truth—White evangelicals—now largely embraces what they once would have derided as relativism. Like so many other millennial evangelicals who grew up on a steady diet of anti-postmodernism, I continue to feel astounded by this moral hypocrisy.”

by Anna Rollins
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