In this episode, Peter speaks with the Rev. Lauren Grubaugh Thomas, founding vicar of Holy Companion Episcopal Church and creator of A Soulful Revolution. Together, they explore the ethical and pastoral complexities of generative AI—its creative potential, its risks, and how the church can faithfully engage with this rapidly evolving technology.

Lauren draws on insights from Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower, shares stories from her ministry, and reflects on how spiritual formation, agency, and justice intersect with digital tools. From AI’s inherent bias to the dangers of false intimacy, this episode invites listeners to bring curiosity and caution as they shape change in an AI-shaped world.

Resources Mentioned

• Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
• Roots and Wings at VTS Center
• A Kid’s Book About AI Bias by Dr. Avril Epps
• “A Soulful Revolution” by Lauren Grubaugh Thomas (Substack)
• Brittany Hartley

Homework

• Lauren invites listeners to reflect on their own use of AI with questions such as:
  • Does this output reflect a just world?
  • Does it reinforce an unfair hierarchy?
  • Does it promote the agency and power of children (and others) to shape the world?

Priest, educator, and digital ministry expert Kyle Oliver joins Peter to explore the possibilities and perils of AI in content creation, Christian formation, and online communication. They reflect on the tension between productivity and presence, and what faithful engagement might look like.

Topics Covered

• Kyle’s cautious experimentation with generative AI in content creation.

• The struggle for creative control and the limits of “black box” tools.
• What happens when beauty is decoupled from intention in digital art and music.
• AI’s impact on church communications and how to maintain a human voice.
• Concerns about AI-generated content overwhelming social platforms.
• The temptation of superhuman productivity and resisting false intimacy.
• Using AI for feedback, coaching, and spiritual discipline—while staying grounded in community.
• Why Christian formation needs to help people remember they are finite and beloved.

Homework

• Reflect on the balance between productivity and intention in your own use of AI.

• Try using AI to offer feedback on one of your recent creative or teaching efforts—then evaluate what’s helpful and what’s not.
• Ask yourself: Does this tool help me flourish—or tempt me to forget I’m human?

Resources

• Kyle Oliver’s Website
  
  
• “Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age” Vauhini Vara
• Ryan Broderick’s Garbage Day newsletter
• AI Church Toolkit website
• Platformer by Casey Newton
  
  

In our first interview episode, we sit down with Fr. Lorenzo Lebrija, Executive Director of the TryTank Research Institute, to discuss faithful innovation, the creation of Ask Cathy, the challenges and promises of AI, and how the church can thoughtfully engage this rapidly changing landscape.

Topics covered:

• Introduction to Ask Cathy: An AI resource trained in the Episcopal tradition to assist congregations, especially small ones.
• Plans for future Cathy updates, including liturgy support, pastoral resources, and administrative help.
• Using AI to strengthen—not replace—human relationships in ministry.
• How AI can support spiritual growth through journaling, faith coaching, and pastoral care prompts.
• Discerning faithful innovation: How Tri-Tank evaluates which ideas to pursue.
• The polarization of attitudes toward AI and why thoughtful church engagement matters.
• Ethical considerations: bias in AI training, capitalism’s impact, and the church’s role in shaping AI ethically.
• Practical advice for using AI tools to support inclusion, learning, and community life.

Homework:

• Reflect: How could AI tools like Ask Cathy support your ministry or your congregation’s pastoral care needs?
• Explore: Visit askcathy.ai to see how Cathy works.
• Experiment: Try prompting your AI tool to offer more inclusive or diverse perspectives and reflect on the results.
• Prepare: Think about ways you can frame AI conversations with your congregation if you haven’t already started.

Resources:

• Ask Cathy – Churchy Answers That Help You
• TryTank Research Institute
• AI Church Conference Information
• How to Try by Lorenzo Lebrija (Book on faithful experimentation in ministry)
• Mission Canvas – TryTank’s tool for evaluating new ministry ideas
• Harvard Business Review: How People Are Really Using Gen AI in 2025
• Episcopal Church Task Force on AI and Intellectual Property (ongoing work)
• Living Stories Sermons - Project of Rev. Peter Levenstrong
• Backstory Preaching - Timely & practical support thriving while accomplishing the daily work of preaching