Artificial “Intelligence”

April 3, 2023By Darrel Schick

The world is changing fast. A bit too fast, if you ask me. Not churches per se. But culture is moving terribly fast.

You may have heard of “artificial intelligence” or AI. You’re going to hear more. Even Elon Musk thinks AI might be moving too fast.

The whole idea of computers “thinking” is kind of scary. Kind of makes me think of those movies that show the machines taking over the world.

Even with that, I am curious. So, I accepted the chance to try out “Bard” – a bit of AI from Google.

Since I am interested in helping churches achieve their greatest success in reaching the world with the Gospel, I asked Bard a question about why churches need to change.

Here is what I got from Bard –

There are many reasons why churches need to change. Some of the most common reasons include:

• The changing demographics of the population. In many countries, the population is becoming increasingly diverse, with people from different backgrounds and beliefs. Churches need to adapt their services and programs to meet the needs of this changing population.
• The changing needs of people. People’s needs are constantly changing, and churches need to be able to adapt to meet those needs. For example, people may be looking for more meaningful and fulfilling experiences, or they may be looking for ways to connect with others in a more meaningful way.
• The changing role of the church in society. In the past, the church played a central role in people’s lives. It was a place where people could find community, support, and guidance. However, the role of the church is changing, and it is no longer the only place where people can find these things. Churches need to find new ways to connect with people and provide them with the support they need.
• The changing nature of faith. People’s understanding of faith is also changing. In the past, faith was often seen as something that was handed down from generation to generation. However, people are increasingly questioning their faith and looking for new ways to understand it. Churches need to be open to new ideas and ways of thinking about faith.

These are just some of the reasons why churches need to change. In order to remain relevant and effective, churches need to be willing to adapt to the changing world around them. [end of Bard’s answer]

Wow! I have to say I’m properly impressed with Bard’s answer. If “artificial intelligence” can figure out why churches need to change – why do pastors and the churches themselves fail to understand?