EP283 - Pushpay's Aaron Senneff on AI, Virtual Ministry, and Digital Communities

The Surging Intersection of Tech and Church: A Journey into Hybrid Worship and AI Ethics THE CHURCH DIGITAL PODCAST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY RIVERSIDE. CHECK OUT HOW RIVERSIDE CAN HELP YOUR CHURCH'S CONTENT-CREATION PROCESS - http://thechurch.digital/riverside Download Pushpay's State of the Church Tech Report - https://hub.pushpay.com/state-of-church-technology/ As the world embraces a more digitalized ethos, the church is no exception. In The Church Digital (TCD) Podcast, host Jeff Reed and guest Aaron Senneff discussed the undulating relationship between technology and faith-based organizations. Tech Integration in Modern Worship The conversation kicked off with a nod towards the increasingly pivotal role of technology in outreach and ministry. The integrating AI into church fabric isn't just about trendiness but about enhancing ministerial outreach, as Senneff noted. Ethical AI and the Role of Constraints Ethical concerns surfaced as Reed and Senneff navigated the complexities of AI—especially its potential to erode copyright integrity and compromise data accuracy. Senneff highlighted the significance of training AI with clear constraints and vigilance, indicative of personal and organizational responsibility in innovating ethically. Immersive Experiences and the Metaverse The future is immersive, as Senneff illustrated, with spatial computing leaping ahead. While the metaverse offers friction-laden experiences today, its potential to weave seamless digital-religious communities is immense.

Decoding the State of the Church Tech Report Impressively, Pushpay’s State of the Church Tech Report served as a data beacon, outlining the technological adoption in thousands of churches. Key findings indicated a steadfast move towards hybrid worship models, a shift unlikely to revert. Senneff pointed out the survey's reflection of anxiety amidst church staff when contemplating tech ventures; yet, there's a daring will to experiment. Timecode 00:00 Introduction 04:04 Annual survey helps Pushpay respond to churches. 10:03 Survey covered various church types across US. 19:09 Organic channels in Slack reflect common interests. 24:30 AI disrupted content creation, impacting human roles. 30:03 Building AI with clear data boundaries is essential. 33:13 Metaverse talked about, Apple's immersive gaming experience. 37:56 Church staff and volunteers feel uncertain and anxious. 40:49 Churches learn from technology choices through network. 44:07 Navigating business challenges, allocating capital strategically. Resi praised. 47:31 Churches benefit from CHMS for finances. 51:48 Epidemic of loneliness despite digital connectivity concerns. 52:46 Surgeon general warns of digital loneliness epidemic. 56:29 Digital integration crucial for ministry's future scalability. ON THE SHOW Host: Jeff Reed Founder, The Church Digital Guest: Aaron Senneff Chief Technical Officer, Pushpay QUESTIONS & RESOURCES Download Pushpay's State of the Church Tech Report - https://hub.pushpay.com/state-of-church-technology/ Resi - http://resi.io Lux Digital Church on Discord - http://discord.gg/luxdigitalchurch Surgeon General's 2023 Report on the Epidemic of Lonliness - https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf Considering the rise of immersive experiences, how might congregations navigate the line between creating engaging worship services in the metaverse and ensuring they maintain a sense of community and connection amongst attendees? Aaron Senneff mentions that 91% of churches are considering a hybrid future. How can churches prepare their congregations for this shift, and what could be some potential downsides to this kind of model? Reflecting on the surgeon general's report on loneliness discussed in the episode, how can churches leverage digital community tools to combat loneliness while fostering meaningful connections and discipleship?