In this special crossover episode with the Crossroads podcast, Peter and Mercedes are joined by The Rev. Jo Nygard Owens and Dr. Sonia Coman of Washington National Cathedral. Together, they explore what it means to engage AI thoughtfully and faithfully—from theological reflection to digital strategy, from ethical caution to spiritual curiosity.

The conversation invites listeners to embrace imagination, resist fear, and reclaim human agency in a rapidly shifting digital landscape.

Topics Covered

• Defining intelligence, agency, and the Imago Dei in a world of machine decision-making
• What “authenticity” means in the age of machine-written texts
• Discernment, formation, and critical thinking across age groups
• The risk of opacity in automated systems and importance of transparency
• Pausing before automation: reclaiming intention, emotion, and spiritual grounding
• Why we need shared vocabulary—and shared discernment—across the Church

Resources Mentioned

• Searches: Selfhood in a Digital Age by Vaushini Vara
• Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari
• Crossroads Podcast from Washington National Cathedral
• Research on AI interpretability by Anthropic

Homework

Reach out to us and let us know how you’ve found generative AI to be useful in church ministry. You can email at info@aichurchtoolkit.com. We’d love to share ideas in our final episode of the season as we consider a round-up of our topics and how things are evolving.

In this episode, Peter speaks with the Rev. Lauren Grubaugh Thomas, founding vicar of Holy Companion Episcopal Church and creator of A Soulful Revolution. Together, they explore the ethical and pastoral complexities of generative AI—its creative potential, its risks, and how the church can faithfully engage with this rapidly evolving technology.

Lauren draws on insights from Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower, shares stories from her ministry, and reflects on how spiritual formation, agency, and justice intersect with digital tools. From AI’s inherent bias to the dangers of false intimacy, this episode invites listeners to bring curiosity and caution as they shape change in an AI-shaped world.

Resources Mentioned

• Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
• Roots and Wings at VTS Center
• A Kid’s Book About AI Bias by Dr. Avril Epps
• “A Soulful Revolution” by Lauren Grubaugh Thomas (Substack)
• Brittany Hartley

Homework

• Lauren invites listeners to reflect on their own use of AI with questions such as:
  • Does this output reflect a just world?
  • Does it reinforce an unfair hierarchy?
  • Does it promote the agency and power of children (and others) to shape the world?

Priest, educator, and digital ministry expert Kyle Oliver joins Peter to explore the possibilities and perils of AI in content creation, Christian formation, and online communication. They reflect on the tension between productivity and presence, and what faithful engagement might look like.

Topics Covered

• Kyle’s cautious experimentation with generative AI in content creation.

• The struggle for creative control and the limits of “black box” tools.
• What happens when beauty is decoupled from intention in digital art and music.
• AI’s impact on church communications and how to maintain a human voice.
• Concerns about AI-generated content overwhelming social platforms.
• The temptation of superhuman productivity and resisting false intimacy.
• Using AI for feedback, coaching, and spiritual discipline—while staying grounded in community.
• Why Christian formation needs to help people remember they are finite and beloved.

Homework

• Reflect on the balance between productivity and intention in your own use of AI.

• Try using AI to offer feedback on one of your recent creative or teaching efforts—then evaluate what’s helpful and what’s not.
• Ask yourself: Does this tool help me flourish—or tempt me to forget I’m human?

Resources

• Kyle Oliver’s Website
  
  
• “Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age” Vauhini Vara
• Ryan Broderick’s Garbage Day newsletter
• AI Church Toolkit website
• Platformer by Casey Newton
  
  

• (00:00) - Chapter 1
• (00:00) - Chapter 2
• (00:00) - Chapter 3
• (00:00) - Chapter 4
• (00:00) - Chapter 5
• (00:00) - Chapter 6
• (00:00) - Chapter 7
• (00:00) - Chapter 8
• (00:00) - Chapter 9
• (00:04) - How do we respond to AI generated content on social media platforms
• (00:08) - Peter Frum says people need to get in touch with finitude
• (00:09) - OpenAI's ChatGPT could potentially be used for real manipulation
• (00:10) - Modern art seems to have already experienced decoupling of beauty and intention
• (00:12) - I'm reading a book called Search searches Selfhood in a Digital Age
• (00:16) - How do you see Christian formation changing in light of generative AI
• (00:17) - How are you using generative AI in your ministry today
• (00:18) - You are an expert in digital communications ministry as well as Christian formation
• (00:32) - Kyla: In this era we need to resist temptation and evil
• (00:43) - What sci fi world are we living into in this present moment of AI development