Church in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
Jim Baucom • July 27, 2026
A unique co-evolution of parallel technological developments in artificial intelligence, robotics (as embodiments of AI), and biotech has facilitated an epochal global revolution more rapid than anything heretofore known in human history. This transformation is so accelerated that humans in the developed world are unable to understand what is occurring or adapt quickly enough to changes they can only intuit. The natural social reaction to this shifting reality is collective fear and uncertainty, and its byproduct is a wicked stew of individualism, pragmatism, polarization, nationalism, authoritarianism, and the like.
The typical ecclesial responses to AI and broader technological advancements seem to come in three forms: assimilation, rejection, and denial. Some churches and church leaders are rushing in with untempered enthusiasm, regarding AI as if it were like prior technologies - which it is not - and asking only how it might be used in the service of the gospel. Others regard AI as an attacking beast that must be vanquished, most of them unaware that they are already being discipled by AI through their interactions with media, social media, their phones, etc. The most common response is to pretend that any real changes are many years off and unlikely to result in major cultural upheavals. In varying degrees, each of these responses is inadequate at best, unproductive at least, and dangerous at worst.
Instead, churches and church leaders should be seeking to understand the epochal shift that is well underway and adapt in Spirit-led ways that are hopeful, biblical, relevant, and healthy. As we seek to respond faithfully, there are a number of questions that can guide our inquiry, two of which have proven helpful to me, my church, and the various ecclesial and secular leaders and organizations with whom I have consulted on this matter.
First and most generally: What does it mean now to be human and thus humane? This question matters both because the lines between human soul and effective intelligence are becoming fuzzy, and because the emerging cultural conversation is around “sentience” rather than being (or soulfulness). These questions naturally lead followers of Jesus to ask subsequently: Who is God, still, when technology can feel so divine?
Second and more specifically: What can redeemed people be that AI can never be? Since AI will always exist within the limits of time and space and in the image of its fallen human creators, our answers to this question will carry us into the spheres of theology, revelation, and biblical truth. Taking cues from church leaders like Augustine at the time of the last epochal shift, I have begun to rephrase the question: What does it mean to be virtuous (godly) in a virtual world?
I see some answers to these questions beginning to emerge, though exploring them in depth requires more space than this article provides. Suffice it to say here that the best of them lead quickly to non-anxious considerations of how the church will adapt faithfully and creatively as the world order we have known deconstructs, and the Western or Modern Epoch winds down. What I am hearing from a small-but-growing tribe of faithful church leaders inspires hope for such a time as this.
Rev. Dr. Jim Baucom is a pastor and consultant who has served as pastor of Columbia Church in Falls Church, VA, for 24 years. He is one of the founding leaders of Ascent and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Ascent Council.
We are excited to share that, in response to the inaugural Pentecost Offering, churches and individuals came together during the weeks between Easter and Pentecost to contribute over $40,000 to special projects advancing the growth of the gospel throughout North America. Accompanied by a weekly devotional resource from best-selling author J.R. Briggs, stories were shared of the impact Ascent-related ministries are making from Cuba to Canada and many places in between. Ashley Berryhill, Discipleship Minister at First Church Arlington, TX, expressed her congregation’s rationale for supporting the Pentecost Offering. “We give to the Pentecost Offering because we believe God’s Kingdom grows through seeds faithfully planted. Pentecost reminds us that when the Holy Spirit moves, the gospel doesn’t stay in one place - it multiplies. That’s the kind of work we want to invest in: planting churches, equipping leaders, and opening new doors for people to encounter Christ. We’ve found in Ascent partners who share this heartbeat, and we’re grateful to join in praying and giving toward a harvest that reaches across North America and, ultimately, the nations.” The primary focus of the Pentecost Offering in 2026 was related to church planting and other areas of pioneering ministry that are specifically oriented to breaking new ground for the gospel. For instance, Purpose Church, located just outside Dover, Delaware, is reaching new families and current military members through their high-impact, high-touch ministry. Further north, New micro-churches are being seeded throughout French-speaking Canada and new missional leaders are being placed to generate multiplication hubs in key cities. The 2026 Offering supports ongoing efforts to engage the Latino community in upstate New York (Rochester and Buffalo) as well as efforts to plant a new bilingual congregation called The Boulevard Church in south Charlotte, NC. Chris Backert, Senior Director of the Ascent Movement, shared “I’m grateful for the generosity of all those who contributed to our initial giving campaign and to the team of people who came together to make it happen. Such a response only a few weeks after the announcement at the Ascent Summit and before Pentecost is a clear demonstration that we are in a moment when people recognize God is doing something in North America. Like many, I will stop short of calling it a revival or awakening, but there is clearly a spiritual temperature that is rising throughout the continent.” Adam Stadtmiller, Lead Pastor of Sea Change Church in La Jolla, CA, shared, “Earlier this year, just before Pentecost, I was struck by Numbers 18: 26-28, where God instructed the Levites to give a "tithe of the tithe" back to Him. It reminded me that those who receive God's provision should also lead in generosity. As a church, we committed to giving approximately 15% of our general fund to trusted mission partners. Supporting Ascent was an easy decision because of their vision, mission, and the integrity of their leadership. I hope more churches will join us in supporting this incredible ministry.” For those who missed participating in the Pentecost Offering, Ascent is planning the launch of a similar Advent Offering this fall. The Advent Offering will focus on supporting ministry that represents the theme of God coming near through the tangible presence, proclamation, and demonstration of the gospel. It will have a special emphasis on the global witness of the broader Ascent Movement, while the Pentecost Offering is focused on North America. It will also feature a daily devotional resource from J.R. Briggs and is made possible, in part, by a gift from the EverBless Foundation. To receive the daily devotional resource, please follow the links below. Seasonal Resources for Churches Seasonal Resources for Individuals
We are praying and working for awakenings that will touch the whole person and the whole community. As we worship the Holy Trinity, we are also invited to join the Trinity on the divine mission of reconciliation and restoration (2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2). Ascent participants share a commitment to the Great Commission locally, regionally, and globally. We gather and work rooted in the historic, orthodox heart of the Nicene Creed of 381 and the 2010 Capetown Commitment (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). We aim for a dynamic, Jesus-centered orthodoxy that is faithful to scripture and the historical Christian faith, affirming timeless truth in a timely matter. Specifically, we counter post-modern subjective thinking with a commitment to truth that transcends our personal or cultural narratives. We respond to the gender and sexual confusion of this moment with biblical celebration of humankind created in God’s image, invited to dwell with God and do the works of God as male and female. Our commitment to our Creator and the new creation found in Christ leads us to affirm complete equality of women and men, with full access to all of God’s callings and gifts for both sexes. Put simply, we are biblically egalitarian. We believe that the global church is prophesying to the West, calling on formerly Christianized nations to repent and rediscover the gospel. What used to be the margins are now new centers of vital Christianity. We reject the syncretism of human ideologies that lead to moral and theological compromise. There is no place for any kind of classism or racism in the church. Our Theological Affirmations are biblical, pneumatic, and prayer infused. While affirming objective truth rooted in the Bible, we also confess our radical dependency on the Holy Spirit who makes Christ our contemporary, enlivens the word, and empowers our service. All of God’s callings and gifts are present for the church to grow into the fullness of Christ and carry out the mission of God (Acts 2; Romans 12:1-8; I Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4:11-16). We agree with John Wesley that, “Prayer is where the action is.” God has decided that our cries and hopes, intercessions and petitions matter for the mission. This is why Ascent focuses on prayer as foundational (Ephesians 6:18-20; Philippians 1:19). We aim for the integration of orthodoxy, orthopathy, and orthopraxis. Intellectual acumen united with prayerful affections and obedient actions are all necessary for the display of God’s glory to a watching world (Ephesians 3:10). Dr. Charles “Charlie” Self is a Visiting Professor at The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (2006-present, 2009- 2016 as a full-time professor) in Springfield, MO, where he teaches courses in church history, mission history, leadership development, and discipleship.
inSPIRE Church in Canmore, Alberta
Spotlight on Florence Carlton Community Church
What if leadership wasn’t just about keeping things going?
In a crowded room at Columbia Church in Falls Church, VA, a BGAV-participating congregation, something powerful was taking shape—more than a training, more than a gathering. It was a movement.
Ascent is excited to be partnering with Rev. Carlos and Rosa Laguer in starting a new mission initiative in the heart of Rochester, NY. Carlos is a former District Superintendent of the Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church and brings decades of experience and gifts to this new role. Ascent leaders are grateful for the opportunity to work with a leaders of Carlos and Rosa's experience, humility, and capacity. Jesus Living Hope is a ministry inspired by the heart of God, dedicated to seeking and restoring people who have been marginalized and displaced by traditional structures and religious culture. They will focus on reaching the second and third generations of believers who have felt distant from the Gospel and they are committed to reaching and healing men and women who are wounded and, in many cases, have felt abandoned in their spiritual journey. With a simple message deeply inspired by the manifold grace of God, Jesus Living Hope seeks to awaken the restoring and sanctifying power of God in each life, revealed in Christ Jesus. Rev. Carlos shared that they have a particular heart to extend their mission to thousands of single-parent families and those with non-traditional family structures throughout the Rochester metro area, bringing hope and spiritual renewal to those who need it most. Jesus Living Hope has been in the process of building a core team for the last several months and began monthly preview services this Fall. Please pray for Jesus Living Hope as they grow their public presence throughout the Advent Season and into 2025! If you have an interest in becoming a mission partner with Jesus Living Hope, please reach out at info@ascentmovement.org
Introduction Ascent is a movement of the Holy Spirit focused on re-engaging North America with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are praying and working for an awakening that will touch the whole person and the whole community. As we worship the Holy Trinity, we are also invited to join the Trinity on the divine mission of reconciliation and restoration (2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2). Ascent is a new kind of "missional connectionalism" for the Church in North America—a movement of congregations, leaders, ministries, networks, associations, and theological institutions sharing a common goal of living out the Great Commission locally, regionally, and globally in an increasingly post-Church culture. We gather and work rooted in the historic, orthodox heart of the Nicene Creed of 381 and the 2010 Capetown Commitment (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). Truth and unity in a polarized, post-modern, and globalized world. We aim for a dynamic, Jesus-centered orthodoxy that is faithful to scripture and the historical Christian faith, affirming timeless truth in a timely matter. Such commitment liberates God’s people from ideological captivity and cultural and religious syncretism. In the Nicene Creed of 381 and the Capetown Commitment of 2010, we find resources for a clear and inclusive and unifying summary of our theological affirmations. Our posture is one of centrist, confessional historic faith. We consciously aim at avoiding the polarizing ideologies infecting public conversations and dividing the church. We counter post-modern epistemological anarchy with a commitment to truth that transcends our personal or cultural narratives. We respond to the gender and sexual confusion of this moment with biblical celebration of humankind created in God’s image, invited to dwell with God and do the works of God as male and female. Our commitment to our Creator and the new creation found in Christ leads us to affirm complete equality of women and men, with full access to all of God’s callings and gifts for both sexes. Put simply, we are biblically egalitarian. We believe that the global church is being empowered to prophesy to the West, calling on formerly Christianized nations to repent and rediscover the gospel afresh. What used to be the margins are now new centers of vital Christianity and we rejoice in the progress the evangelization in the past two centuries. The global church is also calling on many Christian movements to rediscover biblical truth and reject the syncretism of human ideologies that lead to moral and theological compromise. There is no place for any kind of classism, ethnocentrism, or racism in the church. Our Theological Affirmations: Biblical, Pneumatic, and Prayer-Infused Rooted in historical orthodoxy and the Capetown Commitment, we have refined our affirmations for fidelity to the truth and clarity for contemporary belivers and seekers. Faithfulness comes before originality (Thomas Oden), yet every generation must articulate the “faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” (Jude 3 cf. I Corinthians 15:3-8 and Philippians 2:5-11) While affirming objective truth rooted in the Bible, we also confess our radical dependency on the Holy Spirit who makes Christ our contemporary, enlivens the Word and empowers our service. All of God’s callings and gifts are present for the church to grow into the fullness of Christ and carry out the mission of God (Romans 12:1-8; Ephesians 4:11-16; I Corinthians 12-14; Acts 2). Our vision for awakening included revitalization of every belivers and each local church and such joy overflowing to every arena of the community. “Prayer is where the action is.” (John Wesley) God has decided that our cries and hopes, intercessions and petitions matter for the mission. This is why Ascent focuses on prayer as foundational for awakening, mission progress, and transformation of persons and communities (Ephesians 6:18-20; Philippians 1:19) Orthodoxy, Orthopathy, and Orthopraxis Intellectual acumen united with prayerful affections and obedient actions are all necessary for the display of God’s glory to a watching world (Ephesians 3:10). Out Theological Affirmations are thoughtful and represent the serious consensus of diverse leaders committed to Ascent’s mission. These Affirmations also engage the heart, calling for new dispositions of compassion and conviction, forgiveness and hope. For God’s people of all traditions, right theology/worship must lead to the obedience that springs from faith (Romans 1:5). The prophetic poetry of Micah 6:8 is a clarion call to integration: doing justice rooted in loving mercy is the fruit of humbly walking with God. We are calling on God’s people to be “contemplative activists” (MaryKate Morse and Charlie Self), equally at home sitting at the feet of Jesus and washing the feet of all in need of grace (John 13:1-6). In our listening to young (20s and 30s) Christian leaders in North America, we discovered three vital points of consensus for fruitful mission going forward: 1) Stay faithful to Scripture and historic, consensual theology; 2) Avoid the ideological cliffs of Left or Right political ideologies; 3) Always integrate the declaration of the gospel along with the incarnational apologetics of doing good works that change people and communities. Back to the Future: An Invitation We invite leaders and movements to find a home with Ascent as we join Jesus on his mission. We are hopeful realists, aware of extraordinary grace of God and challenges of ordinary life. May we be an answer to the prayer of Jesus and walk in joyful unity (John 17:21). For more of Ascent’s theological foundation, please visit our affirmations here.
How many new followers of Jesus have been made through your church in the recent past? Do you wish it was more? Before his Ascension Jesus left his followers with the last words that would echo throughout church history. In Matthew 28, Luke 24, John 20, and Acts 1 we are given the accounts of what is now called “The Great Commission.” These words have provided the foundation for the purposes of the church throughout the ages. Most likely, when you sensed a call to ministry, this commission played a role in your call. When you planted a church or worked toward renewing an existing ministry, it was these words that compelled you to count the cost and say yes to the task at hand. Yet, in spite of all their power, over time it’s easy for the focus of the church to stray away from the basic instructions Jesus gave us. As church leaders in North America, we are being called back to the Great Commission. We are living in a moment in history when our churches must center again on the main task that Jesus left for us to do with the power and wisdom that Jesus left for us to do it. At Multiply 2025 , we’ll turn our attention back to Jesus' famous final charge. We will consider afresh what they mean for the churches we lead and the context we serve. We will invite the Holy Spirit to visit us with power for the calling before us. We will open our hearts and ask the Father to will them with love and passion for the world we are called to. Along with notable Ecclesia leaders like J.R. Briggs and Kevin Nderitu, we are delighted to be joined by Ascent guests such as Miriam Swanson, Paul Maconochie, and Eliseo Mejia. Miriam is one of the most sought-after speakers and contemporary evangelists currently in North America. She is the Executive Director of Fusion USA, a ministry focused on reaching college students and raising up the next generation of Christian leaders. Paul Maconochie is the National Director for Uptick. Uptick is a disciple-making and leadership development ministry dedicated to training leaders to carry out the Great Commission through local churches. Paul is a pastor at Grace Gathering in Fort Wayne, IN and has previously been involved in training leaders through 3dm in multiple countries around the world. Eliseo Mejia is a seasoned pastor and church planter now working with the Ascent Movement in the area of mobilization. *Multiply 2025 is hosted by the Ecclesia Network in partnership with the Ascent Movement and sponsored by the Everbless Foundation .