Sozo Group

The New Era of AI in the Church If 2024 had a headline, it would be about the rapid rise of AI—except in the church, where it’s largely been met with disinterest or condemnation. Currently, only 19% of church leaders use AI regularly. However, that’s about to change. In 2024, startups and legacy companies alike are integrating AI into tools for churches. Growing churches will adopt AI to expand their reach, personalize messaging, analyze metrics, and create sermon resources. By year’s end, new technologies will reshape how churches fulfill their mission. Though resistance remains, AI will become mainstream as it’s built into everyday platforms. Still, it raises profound ethical and existential questions, and leaders must navigate these wisely. Churches of all sizes can leverage AI by seeking help from knowledgeable business leaders or younger, tech-savvy members. Beyond the practical, AI will deeply impact the lives of those we serve, introducing challenges like virtual relationships, transhumanism, and a growing disconnection from authentic community. In an age of deep fakes and scams, the church’s authenticity and personal connection will be its greatest strengths. In 2024, embracing AI ethically while offering genuine community will be crucial to leading effectively. #churchmarketing #churchconsulting #churchmetrics #sozogroup #marketing #nonprofitmarketing #churchgrowth #churchgrowthtools #aitools #churchai

Whether you like it or not, millennials are the new core of your church One of the most significant shifts of the last few years is that Millennials have embraced church attendance faster than any other demographic, surpassing their attendance levels back in 2019. Millennial attendance is surging, especially among non-white Millennials.  According to the same Barna survey, 30% of white Millennials report attending church regularly post-COVID, up from 26% pre-pandemic. But non-white Millennials have returned with even greater zeal. Fully 40% of non-White Millennials say they are attending church post-COVID, up from 31% pre-pandemic. Some of this is natural as Boomers get older and factors like mobility and health become more significant, but the writing has been on the wall with Boomers for years. We just behaved like it wasn’t. The two areas most impacted by this trend (other than attendance) are serving and giving. Boomers have historically carried congregations both in terms of finances and volunteering. While you don’t want to give up on Boomers completely — and you’ll want to honor them for their contribution — it’s critical to understand that the oldest Millennial turns 43 in 2024. It’s high time to treat them (as well as Gen X and older Gen Z) as the new core of the church. Let's face it: For reasons outlined above, churches that focus on helping people become whole-hearted followers of Jesus will have to worry less about how the next generation gives and serves than churches that make giving and serving the goal. But two more conversations need to happen. The first circles around the generational wealth transfer that’s about to take place. As Boomers age and many start passing away, their Gen X and Millennial children will receive the most significant wealth transfer in human history. Stewardship should become a part of that conversation with Boomers. Otherwise, the church will likely be ignored both by the giver and the recipient. Second, church leaders should create a strategy around engaging Millennials as critical donors for the future of the mission and vision. That means developing a strategy to help them see that Jesus is a priority, as they’re used to giving to various social causes that have captured their attention. #churchmarketing #churchconsulting #churchmetrics #sozogroup #marketing #nonprofitmarketing #churchgrowth #churchgrowthtools