Hi Reader,
While researching for AI and the Future Church, I spent a lot of time experimenting with AI tools. For all the impressive stuff, there was one fail I'll never forget.
I asked an AI for research on church trends, and it confidently served up Barna data: Statistics, study titles, publication dates, and even links to the sources.
One problem: none of it was real.
The studies didn't exist. Barna never published them. And the links it sourced were dead. Every single one. The AI had invented an entire body of research, citations and all, and presented it with total confidence.
Which brings me to the point behind the laugh (and the mild shock): AI is a remarkable tool and a terrible authority.
It's confident even when it's wrong.
That's why one of the important themes in the new book is agency. AI can inform your thinking, but it must never replace it.
The leaders who thrive in this era will be the ones who use these tools without outsourcing wisdom and judgment to them.
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People are going to AI instead of prayers and instead of turning to the Holy Spirit or Scripture. We need a guide to help us navigate this massive change. Carey Nieuwhof is the most trusted voice I know in this space."
— Jonathan “J.P.” Pokluda, Bestselling Author and Lead Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church
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AI and the Future Church releases September 15th. Pre-order by September 14th and you'll get the executive summary (you can read in one sitting and start discussing right away).
Have a great week, Reader. And maybe double-check anything AI tells you about Barna (or anything else for that matter). You can even ask it to double-check itself.
