Develop a Discipleship System
AI and Ministry: Fall 2025 Training Series Now Open for Registration
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a future conversation; it’s a present-tense tool.
Whether you're curious, cautious, or already experimenting, we’ve created a clear path to help you move from uncertainty to confidence in using AI for ministry.
This fall, Discipleship Ministries is offering three distinct learning opportunities for pastors, staff, and ministry leaders. These sessions are built to equip you to engage AI practically, ethically, and theologically.
Beginners’ Foundations of AI
Date: July 28, 2025
Time: 11 a.m., CDT/12 noon, EDT
Cost: Apportionment Funded (free for you!)
If you’re completely new to AI or unsure where to start, this one-hour session is your on-ramp. We’ll cover:
- What AI and large language models (LLMs) are
- Basic examples of how AI can support ministry
- Basic risks of using AI
- Q&A
This webinar is an introduction for those new to AI technologies and equips those preparing to attend the “Harnessing AI for Good” series (below).
Harnessing AI for Good
Dates:
- Part 1: August 4
- Part 2: August 11
Time: 11 a.m.–12 noon, CDT (both sessions)
Cost: $20
A two-part live webinar series designed for:
- Pastors, staff, and volunteers beginning to use AI
- Communicators wanting to save time without losing authenticity
- Ministry leaders eager to move past the novelty and toward real utility
You’ll learn:
- How large language models (LLMs) work (no jargon, just clarity)
- Ministry use cases
- Prompt-writing best practices
- Ethical considerations and theological framing
Included:
- Zoom recordings
- Downloadable prompt toolkit
- Optional invitation to our advanced cohort
AI Ministry Lab: Advanced Cohort
Dates: August 25 – October 6, 2025
Time: Mondays at 11 a.m., CDT/12 noon, EDT (except for Labor Day)
Cost: $150 (Scholarships available)
A six-week guided workshop for leaders already using AI tools who are ready to deepen their understanding and implement AI ministry frameworks.
Includes:
- Advanced prompting and persona creation
- Writing ministry-specific AI usage policies
- Workflow demonstrations and peer-reviewed projects
- Slack community and optional CEU credit
Register for the AI Ministry Lab
Testimonials from Previous Attendees
“Learning how to give SOLID prompts is priceless.” – Jessica Campbell
“I’ve already received a very big ‘bang for my buck.’” – Dr. Felicia LaBoy
“I’m finding great value in this course. Thank you for offering it.” – Russel Morrow
“Helpful to think through how to integrate AI into everyday tasks.” – Jonathan Ruch
Why Now?
These training sessions are more than learning opportunities. They are part of a broader invitation: In Fall 2025, Discipleship Ministries will release a denomination-wide AI survey to shape how the United Methodist Church responds to AI in theology, policy, and ministry.
We believe survey participants should be informed, not speculative. That’s why we’re challenging church leaders to learn the tools before shaping the conversation. This training prepares you to take the survey with confidence and credibility.
Ready to Start?
- Just exploring? Sign up for the free introductory training.
- Want practical guidance? Join the Harnessing AI sessions.
- Ready to lead? Apply for the AI Ministry Lab cohort.
- Join our mailing list to stay involved and up to date.
Your journey into AI and ministry starts here. We hope to see you in one (or all!) of these sessions.
This content was developed by Discipleship Ministries staff using AI tools in alignment with our AI Usage Guidelines. In this case, AI assisted the author with ideation, outlining, formatting, tone adjustment, and drafting the initial structure. All final text was written, reviewed, edited, and approved by human contributors.
Contact Us for Help
Contact Discipleship Ministries staff for additional guidance.