What Does It Mean to Lead in the AI Era?

During a recent gathering of the Conference Leaders cohort in Nashville, participants engaged in a session with James Kang, Co-founder of PASTORIA and member of the Phygital Fellows cohort. Drawing from his work at the intersection of technology, pastoral care, and design, James offered a grounding insight for this moment in ministry:

AI is both a tool for ministry and a signal that ministry itself is entering a new era.

While the conversation began in a conference leadership context, its implications reach far beyond it. Leaders in every ministry setting are navigating a similar question:

How might ministry today use AI to strengthen familiar work while also reimagining what faithful leadership looks like in a transformed landscape?

Participants explored how generative AI can certainly accelerate everyday tasks — from program development and communication workflows to analyzing ministry metrics — but the conversation pointed toward something deeper: the opportunity to imagine new patterns of ministry altogether. Rather than using AI only to ease overwhelm or improve efficiency, leaders considered how it might help cultivate fresh forms of discipleship, pastoral care, and spiritual practice shaped for this era.

For ministry leaders, the invitation is clear: not just to adopt new tools, but to nurture new imagination for what God is making possible in this moment.