TLH139: AI Tools for Youth Pastors—What to Use and What to Avoid

Youth Ministry for the Longer Haul Podcast

In this episode, Jody and Ryan Sebastian, from the Youth and Culture Podcast, discuss the intersection of AI and youth ministry, exploring how AI tools can enhance communication, streamline content creation, and improve overall ministry effectiveness. Ryan shares his journey in youth ministry, the challenges faced, and the innovative ways AI can be utilized to support youth pastors and church leaders.

They delve into practical applications of AI, including writing emails, generating graphics, and creating small group questions, while also addressing potential pitfalls and ethical considerations. In this conversation, Ryan and Jody explore the role of AI in ministry, discussing its potential as a tool for crafting messages, brainstorming ideas, and saving time.

They emphasize the importance of preparation and the need to maintain a personal touch in teaching. The discussion also touches on the balance between utilizing AI and ensuring it does not lead to laziness or technological dependence. They conclude with a call for wise and cautious use of AI in ministry contexts.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Youth and Culture Podcast: Youth and Culture Podcast on Facebook

AI Episode of Youth and Culture Podcast

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• ChatGPT – for generating content, communication, and brainstorming.
• Grammarly – AI-assisted writing tool.
• Perplexity – for fact-driven content and research.
• Canva – for graphics creation and AI-generated images.
• Adobe – mentioned for AI-assisted audio clean-up.
• Google Docs – has AI capabilities for writing assistance.
• Microsoft Word – includes AI tools.
• Opus Clip – AI tool for video editing and clip generation.
• Riverside – used for podcast recording with Magic Clips feature.
• Headliner – AI tool for creating video snippets and audio highlights.
• Youth and Culture Podcast – specifically mentioned for an episode discussing AI in ministry.

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TAKEAWAYS:

• Ryan Sebastian is an associate pastor focused on discipleship and students.
• AI can significantly improve communication within church ministries.
• Grammarly and ChatGPT are useful AI tools for communication.
• AI can generate images and graphics for church content.
• Content creation can be streamlined using AI tools like Canva.
• AI can help analyze feedback to enhance ministry effectiveness.
• Youth pastors can use AI to write small group questions efficiently.
• AI tools are becoming integrated into common software like Google Docs.
• The landscape of AI in ministry is rapidly evolving.
• Ethical considerations are important when using AI in ministry. AI can assist in crafting messages but should not replace personal study.
• Utilizing AI for brainstorming can enhance clarity in communication.
• There is a distinction between using curriculum and creating original content.
• Preparation for teaching should come from personal study and heart overflow.
• The drive for platform in ministry can lead to unhealthy practices.
• AI tools can save time, allowing for more relational ministry.
• It’s important to set boundaries when using AI in ministry.
• Over-reliance on AI can lead to a lack of critical thinking skills.
• Human interaction in ministry is irreplaceable, even with AI tools.
• Navigating the use of AI requires careful consideration of its impact on ministry.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Ryan Sebastian and His Journey
04:59 Exploring AI in Youth Ministry
10:13 Effective Communication with AI Tools
15:03 Content Creation and AI in Ministry
23:04 Crafting Messages with AI Assistance
26:32 Curriculum vs. Original Content in Ministry
28:51 The Importance of Preparation in Teaching
30:38 Navigating the Drive for Platform in Ministry
32:56 AI as a Time-Saving Tool in Ministry
35:29 Identifying No-Gos with AI Usage
40:46 Wise Utilization of AI in Ministry