Modern Church Leaders Conference Highlights Technology’s Role in Amplifying Ministry

The inaugural Modern Church Leaders Conference, hosted by Tithe.ly and Breeze ChMS, took place in Dallas, bringing together hundreds of church leaders to explore how technology can shape the future of ministry. The conference featured more than 40 training workshops led by prominent figures like Pastor Miles McPherson, Pastor Erwin McManus, and tech experts Phil Cooke and Dustin Stout.

During the opening session, a panel of church technology experts discussed how technology has evolved over the past decade and encouraged church leaders to embrace its potential rather than fear it. The panel included Blue Van Dyke, Rafi Ghazarian from Saddleback Church, and Ben Boykin of Rock Church. They focused on leveraging technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), as a tool to amplify ministry efforts and make churches more efficient.

Van Dyke emphasized that “technology is submissive to ministry” and should be used to enhance, not overshadow, the core mission of the church. Echoing this, Ghazarian added, “Technology is a tool, but it’s also a great amplifier.” He encouraged leaders to embrace technology to fulfill the Great Commission, warning that ignoring technological advancements would be a missed opportunity.

AI was a major talking point, with many leaders expressing fear about its potential. Ghazarian addressed the “fear factor” surrounding AI, describing it as a transformative tool that can reallocate resources from menial tasks to more meaningful ministry work. Boykin further explained that AI should be seen as a “supplement, not a replacement,” reminding attendees that AI is finite, while divine wisdom is infinite.

The conference concluded with a call for church leaders to remain open to new technologies, experiment with them, and ensure that their tech tools align with their church’s mission. As Ghazarian noted, “Be willing to experiment, learn, and grow because the tech world will keep evolving.”

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