What happens when AI stops being just a tool and starts reshaping the way people work, relate, and find meaning?
In this episode, Zach Zehnder sits down with Kenny Jahng to explore one of the most disruptive trends facing the church today: artificial intelligence. Drawing from ministry experience, leadership insight, and real-time observations from churches around the country, Kenny explains why AI is not simply a tech conversation. It is a discipleship conversation.
Together, Zach and Kenny unpack how AI is already affecting pastors, church staff, and congregations. They discuss the rapid adoption of AI in ministry, the coming disruption to jobs and giving patterns, the deeper theological questions around identity and vocation, and the growing rise of AI companionship. Along the way, they challenge church leaders not to respond with fear or denial, but with wisdom, presence, and proactive discipleship.
This episode is especially helpful for pastors, church staff, ministry leaders, and anyone asking how the church can remain deeply human in an increasingly artificial world.
Whether you are excited about AI, cautious about it, or somewhere in between, this conversation will help you think more clearly, lead more faithfully, and prepare your church for what is already here.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Hodos. Hodos is a new non-profit designed to pave the way for the next generation of Lutherans. Designed for 18-29 year olds, Hodos is currently planning a national Young Adult Gathering for 2027. For interest, updated information, or donation options, please go to www.HodosWay.com.
Connect with Kenny Jahng
https://www.kennyjahng.com/
Church Tech Today
https://churchtechtoday.com/
AI for Church Leaders and Pastors Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1230366870910779
AI Policies Made Simple
https://www.aiforchurchleaders.com/policies
AI Summit for Church Leaders
https://aisummit.church/
Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Academy
https://careynieuwhof.com/the-art-of-leadership-academy/
AI is not just changing tools. It is changing culture, work, relationships, and how people think about identity.
Many pastors are still viewing AI mainly through the lens of productivity, but the deeper issues are theological and pastoral.
The church must prepare for AI-driven disruption in jobs, which could affect vocation, giving, and long-term congregational stability.
AI companionship is already shaping younger generations and may alter how they understand relationships, conflict, and attachment.
In a world optimized for speed and efficiency, the church’s slowness, presence, and relational friction may become part of its unique witness.
Church leaders do not need to become AI experts overnight, but they do need to become facilitators of wise conversations.
Churches should begin creating AI policies now, even if they are not widely using AI yet.
The church has an opportunity to serve the broader community by hosting thoughtful public discussions on AI and its impact.
Kenny’s challenge to church leaders is simple and direct:
Do not ignore AI.
You do not need to become the expert, but you do need to grow in fluency, create clarity for your team, and start meaningful conversations in your church and community.
His three challenges:
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
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