This week I attended an event that could be described as both unique and historic. Clergy and lay leadership from three United Methodist Conferences…the Kentucky, the Tennessee-Western Kentucky, and the Central Appalachian Missionary…gathered in Bowling Green, KY. It was unique in that such a meeting has likely never taken place, and some of the topics had never been the focus of a typical clergy/church conference.

Bishop David Graves, episcopal leader appointed to serve these three Conferences, convened the event for the purpose of strengthening the connection and comradery among the clergy and laity from these areas. Bishop Graves invited Al Tompkins as the featured speaker for the day. Tompkins background is in broadcast journalism, news, writing, and content development, as well as the effective use of multi-media platforms in the present and future age.

The morning session focused on considering how most churches use their website, email, and social media platforms to promote, communicate, inform, and inspire their congregations to keep up with and engage the various services, programs, and missional opportunities taking place through their church. During this time, the energy in the room was visible and audible. Seated at round tables in groups of eight, most everyone was able to understand and relate to everything Mr. Tompkins shared. We took notes, answered his survey questions, and recognized how the data and perspective he was sharing could help us all improve our communication methods within the life of a local church and community. He even went so far as to demonstrate how to stimulate the parts of our brains that can cause us to remember something in vivid detail and maintain an engaged interest in it.

The afternoon session was a different story. After lunch, Mr. Tompkins did what felt like a deep dive on AI (artificial intelligence) and how it is already changing our world. But his pulling us into this amazing and mind-blowing realm for a mere two hours was just scratching the surface. The mood in the room changed. Everyone was quiet, practically motionless, and completely amazed (dumbfounded?) as Mr. Tompkins demonstrated how artificial intelligence, and the programs that are already available to utilize its power and ability, are infiltrating and influencing our world, for better or worse.

If you, or your church or missional agency are not aware that the artificial intelligence train is leaving (has already left?) the station, you need to get on board as soon as possible. The AI train can take you to places you’ve never been and empower you to do things you could never do. To not do so will mean you will get left behind, or worse, you’ll cross paths with it and it will run you over.

I have mixed feelings about the use of artificial intelligence, and to some degree I have only dipped my toes in what it can do. But like it or not, we will all be swimming in its influence in the not-so-distant future. We can either be smartly informed about the power it possesses and how to use it smartly, or we may be foolish enough to ignore it and fall victim to how it can be used to manipulate and fool us.

Here is a LINK to a workshop Mr. Tompkins led Thursday evening, which is an abbreviated version of the in-person event he led in Bowling Green. I hope you find it helpful as you seek to strengthen the clarity and impact of your communication and engagement with your church and community.

Serving you, serving with you,

Rev. Dr. David Weatherly