Mixing ministry and technology

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 and one focused on chaplaincy work.

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. 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.

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. Plus scroll down for an essay about the rise and fall of children’s Sunday School, a reflection on the relationship between faith and truth, and more.

Jon Mathieu
Email me: Describe a time you observed, for better or worse, technology used in ministry.
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The priesthood of all chatbots?

“What we lose in all the aggregating and synthesizing is the communion of saints.”

by Zac Koons

My artificial chaplains

“I would fail David, an AI-generated spiritual counselor, if he were a student in my chaplaincy class.”

by Danielle Tumminio Hansen

VIDEO: When Christianity and Buddhism mix

Alex DeMarco tells Jon why and how he came to practice both religions.

In the Lectionary for August 24 (Ordinary 21C)

Sensing danger does not alone a prophet make.

Shiny happy confrontations

“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

“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

“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

“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