The digital age is transforming how people connect — and the church must follow accordingly, noted Don Barger, director of innovation and artificial intelligence for the International Mission Board.

Why is AI important for the Church?

At a conference held at Taylor Road Baptist Church Montgomery May 8, Barger led a session titled, “AI in Ministry: The What, Why and How of Artificial Intelligence,” designed to help church leaders understand how AI can serve the mission of the Church — empowering, not replacing, human connection.

“Younger generations — especially Gen Z — are what we call ‘digital natives,’” Barger explained. “As much as 60% of their social interaction happens in digital spaces. As [they] increasingly shape our world, the Church has a unique opportunity to reach them through the very technologies they use every day.”

Practical tools for ministry

A Hueytown native, Barger has emerged as a leading voice helping Christians navigate opportunities and challenges of AI. He encouraged attendees not to fear it, but, as with any technological advancement, to understand and steward it wisely.

“You probably used AI on the way here — Waze, Google Maps, Siri, Alexa,” he noted. “AI is not a threat to human connection. It’s a tool, and like every tool, it depends on how we use it.”

Barger reminded the audience that the Church has historically embraced innovation — from the printing press to radio and beyond.

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This article was originally published at TheAlabamaBaptist.org.