Gen Z Sees Something About AI That Pastors Are Missing!

Ready for a paradigm shift? A lot of Ready for a paradigm shift? A lot of pastors are talking about how to use AI. pastors are talking about how to use AI. pastors are talking about how to use AI. Gen Z is talking about what AI will do Gen Z is talking about what AI will do Gen Z is talking about what AI will do to them. They are worried. I mean, you to them. They are worried. I mean, you to them. They are worried. I mean, you look at the convocation speeches and look at the convocation speeches and look at the convocation speeches and booing tech execs off the stage when booing tech execs off the stage when booing tech execs off the stage when they mention AI. It's time you start they mention AI. It's time you start they mention AI. It's time you start thinking through what AI is going to do thinking through what AI is going to do thinking through what AI is going to do to the world, not just how to use it. to the world, not just how to use it. to the world, not just how to use it. New Barn of research, for example, says New Barn of research, for example, says New Barn of research, for example, says 20% of Gen Z sees AI as high risk and 20% of Gen Z sees AI as high risk and 20% of Gen Z sees AI as high risk and low opportunity. That's the largest low opportunity. That's the largest low opportunity. That's the largest concentration of any generation in any concentration of any generation in any concentration of any generation in any quadrant. Meanwhile, 73% of boomers quadrant. Meanwhile, 73% of boomers quadrant. Meanwhile, 73% of boomers barely paying attention to AI and say, barely paying attention to AI and say, barely paying attention to AI and say, "Ah, it's probably okay." So, what does "Ah, it's probably okay." So, what does "Ah, it's probably okay." So, what does that mean? Well, your 25-year-olds are that mean? Well, your 25-year-olds are that mean? Well, your 25-year-olds are quietly panicking. I'm Carey Nieuwhof. quietly panicking. I'm Carey Nieuwhof. quietly panicking. I'm Carey Nieuwhof. Let's get into it. Let's start here. Most pastors are stuck Let's start here. Most pastors are stuck on the wrong question. When I talk to on the wrong question. When I talk to on the wrong question. When I talk to senior pastors, they're asking, "How can senior pastors, they're asking, "How can senior pastors, they're asking, "How can I use AI? Should I let AI help me write I use AI? Should I let AI help me write I use AI? Should I let AI help me write my sermons? Or should I use AI for my sermons? Or should I use AI for my sermons? Or should I use AI for admin? Or can I eliminate a social media admin? Or can I eliminate a social media admin? Or can I eliminate a social media staff position with it?" Look, those are staff position with it?" Look, those are staff position with it?" Look, those are decent questions. I get it. I use decent questions. I get it. I use decent questions. I get it. I use artificial intelligence. I built my artificial intelligence. I built my artificial intelligence. I built my whole workflow around it, so I'm not whole workflow around it, so I'm not whole workflow around it, so I'm not against AI, far from it.

against AI, far from it. against AI, far from it. But there's a bigger question, the one But there's a bigger question, the one But there's a bigger question, the one that almost nobody is asking and needs that almost nobody is asking and needs that almost nobody is asking and needs to be. They're not asking it in staff to be. They're not asking it in staff to be. They're not asking it in staff meetings, they're not doing any personal meetings, they're not doing any personal meetings, they're not doing any personal study on the issue, let alone when study on the issue, let alone when study on the issue, let alone when pastors are not addressing it from the pastors are not addressing it from the pastors are not addressing it from the pulpit. And the question is, what is AI pulpit. And the question is, what is AI pulpit. And the question is, what is AI doing to the people in your pews? Not doing to the people in your pews? Not doing to the people in your pews? Not what AI can do for you, but what AI is what AI can do for you, but what AI is what AI can do for you, but what AI is doing to you, to them. And when you're doing to you, to them. And when you're doing to you, to them. And when you're the leader and you're only thinking the leader and you're only thinking the leader and you're only thinking about the tool and how to use it or how about the tool and how to use it or how about the tool and how to use it or how to maximize it, you're missing the to maximize it, you're missing the to maximize it, you're missing the silent worry a generation of college silent worry a generation of college silent worry a generation of college grads and young adults have, not to grads and young adults have, not to grads and young adults have, not to mention older people. mention older people. mention older people. You become the productivity guy at the You become the productivity guy at the You become the productivity guy at the exact moment when your people need a exact moment when your people need a exact moment when your people need a pastoral guy. What's fascinating is 72% pastoral guy. What's fascinating is 72% pastoral guy. What's fascinating is 72% of pastors say AI is a threat, but of pastors say AI is a threat, but of pastors say AI is a threat, but they're talking about it as a tool. So, they're talking about it as a tool. So, they're talking about it as a tool. So, something really doesn't add up there. something really doesn't add up there. something really doesn't add up there. Second thought, Gen Z is onto something. Second thought, Gen Z is onto something. Second thought, Gen Z is onto something. Your 25-year-olds are not being Your 25-year-olds are not being Your 25-year-olds are not being dramatic. They're being honest because dramatic. They're being honest because dramatic. They're being honest because Gen Z is walking into a job market that Gen Z is walking into a job market that Gen Z is walking into a job market that is probably going to change dramatically is probably going to change dramatically is probably going to change dramatically by the time their student loan payment by the time their student loan payment by the time their student loan payment is finally due. The white-collar world is finally due. The white-collar world is finally due. The white-collar world is shifting. Junior associates working is shifting. Junior associates working is shifting. Junior associates working in law, accounting, consulting, in law, accounting, consulting, in law, accounting, consulting, marketing, copywriting, entry-level SEO, marketing, copywriting, entry-level SEO, marketing, copywriting, entry-level SEO, customer service, AI does almost all of customer service, AI does almost all of customer service, AI does almost all of that now. And some companies are openly that now. And some companies are openly that now. And some companies are openly targeting the $16 trillion US job market targeting the $16 trillion US job market targeting the $16 trillion US job market and treating human jobs as the cost to and treating human jobs as the cost to and treating human jobs as the cost to eliminate. Now, I realize that sounds eliminate. Now, I realize that sounds eliminate. Now, I realize that sounds twisted, but I'm just delivering the

twisted, but I'm just delivering the twisted, but I'm just delivering the news. I'm not actually making it. So, if news. I'm not actually making it. So, if news. I'm not actually making it. So, if you're 22 and you just graduated, you you're 22 and you just graduated, you you're 22 and you just graduated, you know that one person with artificial know that one person with artificial know that one person with artificial intelligence can do the work of 100 intelligence can do the work of 100 intelligence can do the work of 100 people without it. people without it. people without it. That math does not end well for the 99. That math does not end well for the 99. That math does not end well for the 99. A further thing to consider about Gen Z A further thing to consider about Gen Z A further thing to consider about Gen Z is they're already in the middle of the is they're already in the middle of the is they're already in the middle of the loneliness crisis. AI is about to make loneliness crisis. AI is about to make loneliness crisis. AI is about to make it worse. Time with friends, like spent it worse. Time with friends, like spent it worse. Time with friends, like spent with friends, has dropped by nearly 20 with friends, has dropped by nearly 20 with friends, has dropped by nearly 20 hours a month in the last 23 years. hours a month in the last 23 years. hours a month in the last 23 years. Loneliness rates have doubled in the Loneliness rates have doubled in the Loneliness rates have doubled in the last 50 years. And nearly half of last 50 years. And nearly half of last 50 years. And nearly half of Americans, all Americans, say they feel Americans, all Americans, say they feel Americans, all Americans, say they feel lonely. And that's before AI companions lonely. And that's before AI companions lonely. And that's before AI companions went mainstream. Within 3 years of went mainstream. Within 3 years of went mainstream. Within 3 years of ChatGPT's release, the number one use of ChatGPT's release, the number one use of ChatGPT's release, the number one use of chatbots was therapy and companionship. chatbots was therapy and companionship. chatbots was therapy and companionship. Further stat, 28% of users have already Further stat, 28% of users have already Further stat, 28% of users have already had a romantic episode with their AI. had a romantic episode with their AI. had a romantic episode with their AI. Want you to think about that again. 28% Want you to think about that again. 28% Want you to think about that again. 28% of the people that you're serving have of the people that you're serving have of the people that you're serving have already had a romantic relationship or already had a romantic relationship or already had a romantic relationship or episode with their chatbot. Now, the episode with their chatbot. Now, the episode with their chatbot. Now, the seductive thing about an AI relationship seductive thing about an AI relationship seductive thing about an AI relationship is that it's frictionless.

is that it's frictionless. is that it's frictionless. AI's going to flatter you, it's never AI's going to flatter you, it's never AI's going to flatter you, it's never going to let you down, going to let you down, going to let you down, it's incentivized to keep you going, so it's incentivized to keep you going, so it's incentivized to keep you going, so you can have a 5-hour interaction, you can have a 5-hour interaction, you can have a 5-hour interaction, sometimes sexual, with an AI. Humans, by sometimes sexual, with an AI. Humans, by sometimes sexual, with an AI. Humans, by comparison, guess what? We're moody, comparison, guess what? We're moody, comparison, guess what? We're moody, we're sinful, we drop the ball, we get we're sinful, we drop the ball, we get we're sinful, we drop the ball, we get irritated, and sometimes we just don't irritated, and sometimes we just don't irritated, and sometimes we just don't want to talk to anybody, okay? And want to talk to anybody, okay? And want to talk to anybody, okay? And what's happening what's happening what's happening is AI is very tempting relationally. is AI is very tempting relationally. is AI is very tempting relationally. People are choosing the ideal over the People are choosing the ideal over the People are choosing the ideal over the real. So, your 22-year-old single woman real. So, your 22-year-old single woman real. So, your 22-year-old single woman in the fifth row last Sunday knows in the fifth row last Sunday knows in the fifth row last Sunday knows exactly what I'm talking about, and so exactly what I'm talking about, and so exactly what I'm talking about, and so does the 30-year-old guy two seats over. does the 30-year-old guy two seats over. does the 30-year-old guy two seats over. There's a silence between them. There's a silence between them. There's a silence between them. Gen Z also doesn't trust what's real Gen Z also doesn't trust what's real Gen Z also doesn't trust what's real anymore. They're looking online, they're anymore. They're looking online, they're anymore. They're looking online, they're seeing deep fakes that are impossible to seeing deep fakes that are impossible to seeing deep fakes that are impossible to tell from the real thing, technology's tell from the real thing, technology's tell from the real thing, technology's gotten that good. They're seeing all gotten that good. They're seeing all gotten that good. They're seeing all this synthetic content not written or this synthetic content not written or this synthetic content not written or generated by real human beings. They're generated by real human beings. They're generated by real human beings. They're seeing AI-generated voices that sound seeing AI-generated voices that sound seeing AI-generated voices that sound exactly like their friends, and they're exactly like their friends, and they're exactly like their friends, and they're seeing video that may or may not be real seeing video that may or may not be real seeing video that may or may not be real when it comes to news. So, Gen Z is the when it comes to news. So, Gen Z is the when it comes to news. So, Gen Z is the first generation that really has to first generation that really has to first generation that really has to assume that nothing they see online assume that nothing they see online assume that nothing they see online is real.

is real. is real. They're not paranoid, They're not paranoid, They're not paranoid, uh they're calibrated. Boomers think uh they're calibrated. Boomers think uh they're calibrated. Boomers think everything is real, even deep fakes, everything is real, even deep fakes, everything is real, even deep fakes, that's a problem if you've got elderly that's a problem if you've got elderly that's a problem if you've got elderly parents or grandparents. Gen Z actually parents or grandparents. Gen Z actually parents or grandparents. Gen Z actually assumes probably nothing is real. So, assumes probably nothing is real. So, assumes probably nothing is real. So, when Barna says 20% of Gen Z is in the when Barna says 20% of Gen Z is in the when Barna says 20% of Gen Z is in the low-opportunity, high-risk quadrant, low-opportunity, high-risk quadrant, low-opportunity, high-risk quadrant, that's not pessimism, that is realistic, that's not pessimism, that is realistic, that's not pessimism, that is realistic, clear-sightedness. Your 25-year-olds clear-sightedness. Your 25-year-olds clear-sightedness. Your 25-year-olds don't need you to be hyped about AI don't need you to be hyped about AI don't need you to be hyped about AI nearly as much as they need you to be nearly as much as they need you to be nearly as much as they need you to be honest and to help them interpret it. honest and to help them interpret it. honest and to help them interpret it. So, that leads us to this question, what So, that leads us to this question, what So, that leads us to this question, what do you need to do this Sunday? So, the do you need to do this Sunday? So, the do you need to do this Sunday? So, the first thing is this, stop preaching first thing is this, stop preaching first thing is this, stop preaching artificial intelligence as simply a artificial intelligence as simply a artificial intelligence as simply a productivity story. If the only time you productivity story. If the only time you productivity story. If the only time you mention AI from the front is to make a mention AI from the front is to make a mention AI from the front is to make a joke about how chat GPT made your sermon joke about how chat GPT made your sermon joke about how chat GPT made your sermon better, you're signaling that AI is better, you're signaling that AI is better, you're signaling that AI is small and it's not small. Some of the small and it's not small. Some of the small and it's not small. Some of the people in your church right now are people in your church right now are people in your church right now are carrying anxiety carrying anxiety carrying anxiety and they need to hear you acknowledge and they need to hear you acknowledge and they need to hear you acknowledge that. That doesn't mean you have to slam that. That doesn't mean you have to slam that. That doesn't mean you have to slam it as a tool of the devil, I mean it's it as a tool of the devil, I mean it's it as a tool of the devil, I mean it's here to stay, or telling Christians to here to stay, or telling Christians to here to stay, or telling Christians to read their Bibles read their Bibles read their Bibles as an alternative. Your church is as an alternative. Your church is as an alternative. Your church is already using AI. So, if you're going to already using AI. So, if you're going to already using AI. So, if you're going to try to ban it or you're going to try to try to ban it or you're going to try to try to ban it or you're going to try to pretend it doesn't exist, pretend it doesn't exist, pretend it doesn't exist, you're missing the point.

you're missing the point. you're missing the point. They're wondering about its impact. So, They're wondering about its impact. So, They're wondering about its impact. So, what you need to do is you need to lead what you need to do is you need to lead what you need to do is you need to lead them. them. them. Do the research, study the impact of AI, Do the research, study the impact of AI, Do the research, study the impact of AI, think pastorally, not just think pastorally, not just think pastorally, not just pragmatically. pragmatically. pragmatically. And you could start here, just And you could start here, just And you could start here, just acknowledge what you're feeling. There's acknowledge what you're feeling. There's acknowledge what you're feeling. There's some uncertainty. I mean, look at the some uncertainty. I mean, look at the some uncertainty. I mean, look at the convocation speeches from the spring of convocation speeches from the spring of convocation speeches from the spring of 2026. What you're going to find is a 2026. What you're going to find is a 2026. What you're going to find is a generation that's very anxious about generation that's very anxious about generation that's very anxious about artificial intelligence. Now, artificial intelligence. Now, artificial intelligence. Now, ironically, the pastors who most need to ironically, the pastors who most need to ironically, the pastors who most need to lead through this moment are the ones lead through this moment are the ones lead through this moment are the ones who don't have the time to think about who don't have the time to think about who don't have the time to think about it. You're like, "Carey, you're giving it. You're like, "Carey, you're giving it. You're like, "Carey, you're giving me more work to do. I can't it. No, I me more work to do. I can't it. No, I me more work to do. I can't it. No, I don't want to do it." You're buried in don't want to do it." You're buried in don't want to do it." You're buried in Sunday sermon and you have this endless Sunday sermon and you have this endless Sunday sermon and you have this endless to-do list. And if that's you, I want to to-do list. And if that's you, I want to to-do list. And if that's you, I want to give you a little out. I'm doing a free give you a little out. I'm doing a free give you a little out. I'm doing a free 3-day challenge from July 7th to 9th. 3-day challenge from July 7th to 9th. 3-day challenge from July 7th to 9th. Then in 3 days, me and my team will help Then in 3 days, me and my team will help Then in 3 days, me and my team will help you get ahead on your sermon prep. If you get ahead on your sermon prep. If you get ahead on your sermon prep. If you want to get out of the perpetual you want to get out of the perpetual you want to get out of the perpetual funk of never being quite ready for funk of never being quite ready for funk of never being quite ready for Sunday before Saturday night, you want Sunday before Saturday night, you want Sunday before Saturday night, you want to get your head above water, to get your head above water, to get your head above water, I want to help you. The link is in the I want to help you. The link is in the I want to help you. The link is in the description if you're interested. So, description if you're interested. So, description if you're interested. So, what will help you do is we'll get you what will help you do is we'll get you what will help you do is we'll get you your week back, we'll get your time your week back, we'll get your time your week back, we'll get your time back, and your head above water so you back, and your head above water so you back, and your head above water so you can start to think about things like can start to think about things like can start to think about things like this. All right. Second thing you can this. All right. Second thing you can this. All right. Second thing you can do, do, do, I want to encourage you to start I want to encourage you to start I want to encourage you to start thinking about how you can build the thinking about how you can build the thinking about how you can build the shock absorbers before you need them. So shock absorbers before you need them. So shock absorbers before you need them. So I cover this in my AI in the future I cover this in my AI in the future I cover this in my AI in the future church book I've got coming out in church book I've got coming out in church book I've got coming out in September. But what you want to do cuz September. But what you want to do cuz September. But what you want to do cuz there could be some serious job there could be some serious job there could be some serious job dislocation as a result of AI, you want

dislocation as a result of AI, you want dislocation as a result of AI, you want to build margin before you need margin. to build margin before you need margin. to build margin before you need margin. You want to build capacity before you You want to build capacity before you You want to build capacity before you need capacity. So what does that mean need capacity. So what does that mean need capacity. So what does that mean practically? Well, practically? Well, practically? Well, start asking what your church can do for start asking what your church can do for start asking what your church can do for the person who maybe loses their job 18 the person who maybe loses their job 18 the person who maybe loses their job 18 months from now and can't find another months from now and can't find another months from now and can't find another one. And maybe start thinking through one. And maybe start thinking through one. And maybe start thinking through with your team, what does pastoral care with your team, what does pastoral care with your team, what does pastoral care look like for a 23-year-old who spent 3 look like for a 23-year-old who spent 3 look like for a 23-year-old who spent 3 years in a relationship with an AI and years in a relationship with an AI and years in a relationship with an AI and now needs to learn how to talk to a now needs to learn how to talk to a now needs to learn how to talk to a human again. human again. human again. You want to start maybe looking at your You want to start maybe looking at your You want to start maybe looking at your benevolence ministry. benevolence ministry. benevolence ministry. What would you be able to do if 8 or 10% What would you be able to do if 8 or 10% What would you be able to do if 8 or 10% of your congregation was suddenly of your congregation was suddenly of your congregation was suddenly unemployed? Now, I'm not trying to scare unemployed? Now, I'm not trying to scare unemployed? Now, I'm not trying to scare you with this stuff. I'm trying to you with this stuff. I'm trying to you with this stuff. I'm trying to prepare you. prepare you. prepare you. If it doesn't get that bad and you make If it doesn't get that bad and you make If it doesn't get that bad and you make some preparations, it's like, yeah, some preparations, it's like, yeah, some preparations, it's like, yeah, yeah, we got more mental health pastoral yeah, we got more mental health pastoral yeah, we got more mental health pastoral care people. care people. care people. We've mobilized the congregation to do We've mobilized the congregation to do We've mobilized the congregation to do this. We've we've got some margin in the this. We've we've got some margin in the this. We've we've got some margin in the bank. If none of this comes true, guess bank. If none of this comes true, guess bank. If none of this comes true, guess what? You have a stronger church. If it what? You have a stronger church. If it what? You have a stronger church. If it does come true, you're going to be does come true, you're going to be does come true, you're going to be ready. Third thing, make Sundays about ready. Third thing, make Sundays about ready. Third thing, make Sundays about something AI can't replicate. The something AI can't replicate. The something AI can't replicate. The competitive advantage of the local competitive advantage of the local competitive advantage of the local church isn't content.

church isn't content. church isn't content. It's community and connection. There are It's community and connection. There are It's community and connection. There are 10,000 sermons available for free right 10,000 sermons available for free right 10,000 sermons available for free right now. now. now. Within a year, there's probably going to Within a year, there's probably going to Within a year, there's probably going to be 10,000 more sermons that AI be 10,000 more sermons that AI be 10,000 more sermons that AI generates. So why is your weekend generates. So why is your weekend generates. So why is your weekend service still built around a sermon as a service still built around a sermon as a service still built around a sermon as a centerpiece? Look, centerpiece? Look, centerpiece? Look, it's super important to preach the word it's super important to preach the word it's super important to preach the word of God. Preach it in and out of season of God. Preach it in and out of season of God. Preach it in and out of season and it never returns empty. I get that. and it never returns empty. I get that. and it never returns empty. I get that. But if you look at what's switched in But if you look at what's switched in But if you look at what's switched in the last 30 years, community is the new the last 30 years, community is the new the last 30 years, community is the new scarcity. scarcity. scarcity. Um, years ago, people couldn't get Um, years ago, people couldn't get Um, years ago, people couldn't get content, but they did have community. content, but they did have community. content, but they did have community. Today, Today, Today, they don't have community, and they can they don't have community, and they can they don't have community, and they can get content everywhere. So, you want to get content everywhere. So, you want to get content everywhere. So, you want to think about how do we make connection think about how do we make connection think about how do we make connection and human connection more central at our and human connection more central at our and human connection more central at our church? How do we make Sundays church? How do we make Sundays church? How do we make Sundays non-downloadable? So, here's what I'd non-downloadable? So, here's what I'd non-downloadable? So, here's what I'd encourage you to do. Use AI. encourage you to do. Use AI. encourage you to do. Use AI. It's a remarkable tool. You'd be foolish It's a remarkable tool. You'd be foolish It's a remarkable tool. You'd be foolish not to, but don't confuse using AI with not to, but don't confuse using AI with not to, but don't confuse using AI with leading through leading through leading through the artificial intelligence era. The the artificial intelligence era. The the artificial intelligence era. The 20-somethings in your church are not 20-somethings in your church are not 20-somethings in your church are not looking for a pastor who knows how to looking for a pastor who knows how to looking for a pastor who knows how to use ChatGPT.

use ChatGPT. use ChatGPT. They're looking for a pastor who knows They're looking for a pastor who knows They're looking for a pastor who knows what to do with them, and that hasn't what to do with them, and that hasn't what to do with them, and that hasn't changed in 2,000 years. They're looking changed in 2,000 years. They're looking changed in 2,000 years. They're looking for connection with God, connection with for connection with God, connection with for connection with God, connection with each other, each other, each other, and you can help. So, stop just thinking and you can help. So, stop just thinking and you can help. So, stop just thinking about how to use AI. Start thinking about how to use AI. Start thinking about how to use AI. Start thinking through what AI is doing to people, through what AI is doing to people, through what AI is doing to people, especially Gen Z. So, if you want to go especially Gen Z. So, if you want to go especially Gen Z. So, if you want to go deeper on this, I've got a brand new deeper on this, I've got a brand new deeper on this, I've got a brand new book coming out September 15th. It's book coming out September 15th. It's book coming out September 15th. It's called AI in the future church, make called AI in the future church, make called AI in the future church, make your ministry irreplaceable in a world your ministry irreplaceable in a world your ministry irreplaceable in a world of artificial everything. You can of artificial everything. You can of artificial everything. You can pre-order now. We got some incentives pre-order now. We got some incentives pre-order now. We got some incentives there for you at careynieuwhof.com/ai. there for you at careynieuwhof.com/ai. there for you at careynieuwhof.com/ai. And if this was helpful, subscribe to And if this was helpful, subscribe to And if this was helpful, subscribe to the channel. Got a lot more coming to the channel. Got a lot more coming to the channel. Got a lot more coming to help you get ready to lead through this help you get ready to lead through this help you get ready to lead through this highly disruptive and exciting and highly disruptive and exciting and highly disruptive and exciting and challenging era.