Leaders Who Survive AI Won't Be the Most Skilled

A 2024 study found that 78% of people A 2024 study found that 78% of people rated a deep fake political video as rated a deep fake political video as rated a deep fake political video as completely [music] completely [music] completely [music] authentic even after being told that authentic even after being told that authentic even after being told that deep fakes exist. So that's 78%. Think deep fakes exist. So that's 78%. Think deep fakes exist. So that's 78%. Think about that for a minute. Nearly eight about that for a minute. Nearly eight about that for a minute. Nearly eight out of 10 people could not tell [music] out of 10 people could not tell [music] out of 10 people could not tell [music] the difference between a real person and the difference between a real person and the difference between a real person and a fake one. Not because they're not a fake one. Not because they're not a fake one. Not because they're not paying attention or because they they're paying attention or because they they're paying attention or because they they're they're not smart enough. they're not smart enough. they're not smart enough. They just couldn't [music] tell. This is They just couldn't [music] tell. This is They just couldn't [music] tell. This is the real me by the way. But what AI is the real me by the way. But what AI is the real me by the way. But what AI is doing to our ability to know what's doing to our ability to know what's doing to our ability to know what's [music] real has massive implications [music] real has massive implications [music] real has massive implications for you as a pastor and as a leader and for you as a pastor and as a leader and for you as a pastor and as a leader and as someone people are actually counting as someone people are actually counting as someone people are actually counting [music] on. So we're entering a world [music] on. So we're entering a world [music] on. So we're entering a world where competency can be manufactured. where competency can be manufactured. where competency can be manufactured. You can get a really good AI to be you You can get a really good AI to be you You can get a really good AI to be you and say smart [music] things. You can and say smart [music] things. You can and say smart [music] things. You can duplicate yourself. You can massively duplicate yourself. You can massively duplicate yourself. You can massively improve your output. Is it wise though? improve your output. Is it wise though? improve your output. Is it wise though? Not so fast. Don't miss this. Competency Not so fast. Don't miss this. Competency Not so fast. Don't miss this. Competency can now be faked which it really can be. can now be faked which it really can be. can now be faked which it really can be. But the question then becomes well But the question then becomes well But the question then becomes well what's left that actually matters? And what's left that actually matters? And what's left that actually matters? And I've often said competency gets you in I've often said competency gets you in I've often said competency gets you in the room but character, who you are, the room but character, who you are, the room but character, who you are, keeps you in the room and I think that's keeps you in the room and I think that's keeps you in the room and I think that's more urgent [music] than ever. So in more urgent [music] than ever. So in more urgent [music] than ever. So in 2026 2026 2026 AI is going to handle a lot more of the AI is going to handle a lot more of the AI is going to handle a lot more of the competency piece for you. Character is competency piece for you. Character is competency piece for you. Character is [music] becoming the game leaders. So in [music] becoming the game leaders. So in [music] becoming the game leaders. So in this video, not a game but it's becoming this video, not a game but it's becoming this video, not a game but it's becoming the thing. All right? So in this video the thing. All right? So in this video the thing. All right? So in this video I'm going to share three [music] things I'm going to share three [music] things I'm going to share three [music] things you can do to protect your character in you can do to protect your character in you can do to protect your character in a world of artificial [snorts] a world of artificial [snorts] a world of artificial [snorts] everything.

>> So let me give you the landscape because >> So let me give you the landscape because I think most leaders including a lot of I think most leaders including a lot of I think most leaders including a lot of pastors don't fully grasp how fast pastors don't fully grasp how fast pastors don't fully grasp how fast things are shifting. AI generated things are shifting. AI generated things are shifting. AI generated content officially passed human made content officially passed human made content officially passed human made content on the internet a while ago in content on the internet a while ago in content on the internet a while ago in late 2024. More than half of what's out late 2024. More than half of what's out late 2024. More than half of what's out there was produced at least in part by a there was produced at least in part by a there was produced at least in part by a machine and that number keeps climbing. machine and that number keeps climbing. machine and that number keeps climbing. So what does that mean practically? So what does that mean practically? So what does that mean practically? Well, it means that anyone can now Well, it means that anyone can now Well, it means that anyone can now produce a polished sermon outline, a produce a polished sermon outline, a produce a polished sermon outline, a well-written newsletter, a compelling well-written newsletter, a compelling well-written newsletter, a compelling vision statement, or a vision statement, or a vision statement, or a confident-sounding leadership take in confident-sounding leadership take in confident-sounding leadership take in seconds for free. And I'm not here to seconds for free. And I'm not here to seconds for free. And I'm not here to tell you that that's all bad. I'm tell you that that's all bad. I'm tell you that that's all bad. I'm actually writing a book on this right actually writing a book on this right actually writing a book on this right now, and my view is pretty nuanced. It's now, and my view is pretty nuanced. It's now, and my view is pretty nuanced. It's not like AI's going to destroy the not like AI's going to destroy the not like AI's going to destroy the church. It's actually not. But, we have church. It's actually not. But, we have church. It's actually not. But, we have to be honest about what artificial to be honest about what artificial to be honest about what artificial intelligence is changing. And here's intelligence is changing. And here's intelligence is changing. And here's what it changes. The competency bar is what it changes. The competency bar is what it changes. The competency bar is probably going to get a lot easier to probably going to get a lot easier to probably going to get a lot easier to clear. So, the things that used to clear. So, the things that used to clear. So, the things that used to signal real leadership ability, like signal real leadership ability, like signal real leadership ability, like polished communication, organized polished communication, organized polished communication, organized thinking, breadth of knowledge, I mean, thinking, breadth of knowledge, I mean, thinking, breadth of knowledge, I mean, those things are important, but they're those things are important, but they're those things are important, but they're now freely available to everybody. So, now freely available to everybody. So, now freely available to everybody. So, if the floor rises for everyone, what's if the floor rises for everyone, what's if the floor rises for everyone, what's the ceiling made of? So, the trust the ceiling made of? So, the trust the ceiling made of? So, the trust numbers should sober us up even more.

numbers should sober us up even more. numbers should sober us up even more. The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer found The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer found The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer found that only 46% of people globally trust that only 46% of people globally trust that only 46% of people globally trust their organizations' leaders. That's their organizations' leaders. That's their organizations' leaders. That's down from 63% a decade ago. That's kind down from 63% a decade ago. That's kind down from 63% a decade ago. That's kind of a collapse. 63% down to 46%. of a collapse. 63% down to 46%. of a collapse. 63% down to 46%. We're already in a trust crisis before We're already in a trust crisis before We're already in a trust crisis before artificial intelligence entered the artificial intelligence entered the artificial intelligence entered the picture, and now we're pouring picture, and now we're pouring picture, and now we're pouring AI-generated everything into a world AI-generated everything into a world AI-generated everything into a world where people already don't know what to where people already don't know what to where people already don't know what to believe or what not to believe. So, this believe or what not to believe. So, this believe or what not to believe. So, this is then the shift that matters. When is then the shift that matters. When is then the shift that matters. When people can't trust what they see, people can't trust what they see, people can't trust what they see, they have to fall back on trusting who they have to fall back on trusting who they have to fall back on trusting who they know. And that's your reputation, they know. And that's your reputation, they know. And that's your reputation, your track record, your consistency, your track record, your consistency, your track record, your consistency, your character. Now, that's actually your character. Now, that's actually your character. Now, that's actually good news if you've been building the good news if you've been building the good news if you've been building the right things, but this is where it hits right things, but this is where it hits right things, but this is where it hits closer to home for pastors. closer to home for pastors. closer to home for pastors. The 2025 State of AI in the Church The 2025 State of AI in the Church The 2025 State of AI in the Church Survey, a nationwide survey, found that Survey, a nationwide survey, found that Survey, a nationwide survey, found that 61% of pastors are now using AI weekly 61% of pastors are now using AI weekly 61% of pastors are now using AI weekly or daily. That's up 20 points from just or daily. That's up 20 points from just or daily. That's up 20 points from just a year ago. And 64% of pastors who are a year ago. And 64% of pastors who are a year ago. And 64% of pastors who are preaching are using AI specifically preaching are using AI specifically preaching are using AI specifically in sermon prep. So, I got a lot more to in sermon prep. So, I got a lot more to in sermon prep. So, I got a lot more to say about that. I use AI, but you got to say about that. I use AI, but you got to say about that. I use AI, but you got to be super careful with that. It's a tool, be super careful with that. It's a tool, be super careful with that. It's a tool, but here's the question we need to be but here's the question we need to be but here's the question we need to be brutally honest about. When AI starts brutally honest about. When AI starts brutally honest about. When AI starts carrying more of the load, does your carrying more of the load, does your carrying more of the load, does your congregation still know they're getting congregation still know they're getting congregation still know they're getting you as their leader? The sermon, you you as their leader? The sermon, you you as their leader? The sermon, you know, for example, that moved somebody know, for example, that moved somebody know, for example, that moved somebody to tears in the fourth row. It's not to tears in the fourth row. It's not to tears in the fourth row. It's not moving them because the structure was moving them because the structure was moving them because the structure was airtight or the points were all

airtight or the points were all airtight or the points were all iterated. It's moving them because they iterated. It's moving them because they iterated. It's moving them because they trust the person preaching it. They trust the person preaching it. They trust the person preaching it. They watched you live it. They've seen you watched you live it. They've seen you watched you live it. They've seen you fail. You've been honest about getting fail. You've been honest about getting fail. You've been honest about getting back up. They know you mean it. back up. They know you mean it. back up. They know you mean it. AI can approximate the words, but it AI can approximate the words, but it AI can approximate the words, but it cannot approximate your life. And this cannot approximate your life. And this cannot approximate your life. And this matters more than ever right now because matters more than ever right now because matters more than ever right now because people are already developing what people are already developing what people are already developing what researchers are calling deep doubt, a researchers are calling deep doubt, a researchers are calling deep doubt, a generalized suspicion about everything generalized suspicion about everything generalized suspicion about everything they see or hear online. So, when your they see or hear online. So, when your they see or hear online. So, when your congregation walks through the doors on congregation walks through the doors on congregation walks through the doors on Sunday, many of them have just spent a Sunday, many of them have just spent a Sunday, many of them have just spent a week swimming in content when nothing is week swimming in content when nothing is week swimming in content when nothing is quite what it seems. And the last thing quite what it seems. And the last thing quite what it seems. And the last thing they need is leadership, a pastor that they need is leadership, a pastor that they need is leadership, a pastor that they can't verify. And I'm not talking they can't verify. And I'm not talking they can't verify. And I'm not talking about fact-checking. I'm talking about about fact-checking. I'm talking about about fact-checking. I'm talking about verifying it by watching you, watching verifying it by watching you, watching verifying it by watching you, watching whether your life and your message are whether your life and your message are whether your life and your message are telling the same story, by whether telling the same story, by whether telling the same story, by whether you're the same person in the parking you're the same person in the parking you're the same person in the parking lot that you are on the stage. Because lot that you are on the stage. Because lot that you are on the stage. Because that's character. AI cannot generate that's character. AI cannot generate that's character. AI cannot generate that. And if we're living in a world that. And if we're living in a world that. And if we're living in a world where anybody can produce high levels of where anybody can produce high levels of where anybody can produce high levels of competency to some extent, what does competency to some extent, what does competency to some extent, what does character-first leadership actually look character-first leadership actually look character-first leadership actually look like? Well, I want to suggest three like? Well, I want to suggest three like? Well, I want to suggest three things. Number one, character is the things. Number one, character is the things. Number one, character is the only currency that cannot be only currency that cannot be only currency that cannot be counterfeited. Artificial intelligence counterfeited. Artificial intelligence counterfeited. Artificial intelligence might be able to deepfake your image and might be able to deepfake your image and might be able to deepfake your image and your voice, but it cannot duplicate you, your voice, but it cannot duplicate you, your voice, but it cannot duplicate you, and it cannot duplicate your character.

and it cannot duplicate your character. and it cannot duplicate your character. In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, "Every time you make a choice, you are "Every time you make a choice, you are "Every time you make a choice, you are turning the central part of you, the turning the central part of you, the turning the central part of you, the part that chooses, into something a part that chooses, into something a part that chooses, into something a little bit different than what it was little bit different than what it was little bit different than what it was before. And taking your life as a whole before. And taking your life as a whole before. And taking your life as a whole with all your innumerable choices, with all your innumerable choices, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long, you are slowly all your life long, you are slowly all your life long, you are slowly turning this central thing either into a turning this central thing either into a turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature heavenly creature heavenly creature or into a hellish creature. Sobering or into a hellish creature. Sobering or into a hellish creature. Sobering thoughts from C.S. Lewis. thoughts from C.S. Lewis. thoughts from C.S. Lewis. AI allows you to make more decisions AI allows you to make more decisions AI allows you to make more decisions every day than is humanly possible. But every day than is humanly possible. But every day than is humanly possible. But think about it, maximum productivity and think about it, maximum productivity and think about it, maximum productivity and output, should that really be your goal? output, should that really be your goal? output, should that really be your goal? I mean, if you decide to use AI to let I mean, if you decide to use AI to let I mean, if you decide to use AI to let you do more in less time, what happens you do more in less time, what happens you do more in less time, what happens to your soul? Jesus walked at 3 miles an to your soul? Jesus walked at 3 miles an to your soul? Jesus walked at 3 miles an hour, he changed the world in 3 years. hour, he changed the world in 3 years. hour, he changed the world in 3 years. You're moving at 300 miles an hour You're moving at 300 miles an hour You're moving at 300 miles an hour outputting content with your hair on outputting content with your hair on outputting content with your hair on fire. fire. fire. >> [sighs] >> [sighs] >> [sighs] >> Is that going to help anybody? Is that >> Is that going to help anybody? Is that >> Is that going to help anybody? Is that going to help your soul in any way? going to help your soul in any way? going to help your soul in any way? But slowing down, But slowing down, But slowing down, praying, reflecting on this life, praying, reflecting on this life, praying, reflecting on this life, trusting God more, living in community, trusting God more, living in community, trusting God more, living in community, embracing a slower pace to read more, embracing a slower pace to read more, embracing a slower pace to read more, contemplate more, and build deeper contemplate more, and build deeper contemplate more, and build deeper relationships, and make better choices, relationships, and make better choices, relationships, and make better choices, that's something only you can do. And I that's something only you can do. And I that's something only you can do. And I believe people are going to see the work believe people are going to see the work believe people are going to see the work you're doing if you do the work.

you're doing if you do the work. you're doing if you do the work. Character is the only currency that Character is the only currency that Character is the only currency that can't be counterfeited. People can watch can't be counterfeited. People can watch can't be counterfeited. People can watch a hundred great preachers online, some a hundred great preachers online, some a hundred great preachers online, some of them might even be AI. of them might even be AI. of them might even be AI. What they can't do is be known by them. What they can't do is be known by them. What they can't do is be known by them. What they can't get from a screen is a What they can't get from a screen is a What they can't get from a screen is a leader who remembers their name, who leader who remembers their name, who leader who remembers their name, who prays for their church, who shows up in prays for their church, who shows up in prays for their church, who shows up in the hard moments, who is visibly the the hard moments, who is visibly the the hard moments, who is visibly the same person on Thursday that they were same person on Thursday that they were same person on Thursday that they were on Sunday. So, that's not scalable. AI on Sunday. So, that's not scalable. AI on Sunday. So, that's not scalable. AI can't do it, and in a world where so can't do it, and in a world where so can't do it, and in a world where so much is synthetic, that true presence much is synthetic, that true presence much is synthetic, that true presence becomes the most trustworthy thing you becomes the most trustworthy thing you becomes the most trustworthy thing you have to offer. Second thing, your have to offer. Second thing, your have to offer. Second thing, your reputation is your resume. So, you know reputation is your resume. So, you know reputation is your resume. So, you know this, competency gets you in the room, this, competency gets you in the room, this, competency gets you in the room, character keeps you there, but in the AI character keeps you there, but in the AI character keeps you there, but in the AI era, I want to add a layer. Character is era, I want to add a layer. Character is era, I want to add a layer. Character is what also gets you back in the room in what also gets you back in the room in what also gets you back in the room in the long run. Trust has a very long the long run. Trust has a very long the long run. Trust has a very long memory, and people are more discerning memory, and people are more discerning memory, and people are more discerning about character than ever. Not because about character than ever. Not because about character than ever. Not because they're paranoid, but because they've they're paranoid, but because they've they're paranoid, but because they've been burned. And you're going to make been burned. And you're going to make been burned. And you're going to make mistakes sometimes as a leader. mistakes sometimes as a leader. mistakes sometimes as a leader. So, when everything can be manufactured, So, when everything can be manufactured, So, when everything can be manufactured, the optics can be perfect, the only the optics can be perfect, the only the optics can be perfect, the only currency that I think is going to hold currency that I think is going to hold currency that I think is going to hold its value is consistable, observable its value is consistable, observable its value is consistable, observable integrity over time. Your integrity integrity over time. Your integrity integrity over time. Your integrity isn't just hearing your sermon on isn't just hearing your sermon on isn't just hearing your sermon on Sunday.

Sunday. Sunday. They're building a case file with every They're building a case file with every They're building a case file with every interaction, and that's what they're interaction, and that's what they're interaction, and that's what they're going to draw on when the world starts going to draw on when the world starts going to draw on when the world starts to feel uncertain. So, it will get you to feel uncertain. So, it will get you to feel uncertain. So, it will get you back in the room cuz you're going to back in the room cuz you're going to back in the room cuz you're going to make mistakes as a leader. You're You're make mistakes as a leader. You're You're make mistakes as a leader. You're You're going to say things you regret. going to say things you regret. going to say things you regret. Apologize. You're going to send an email Apologize. You're going to send an email Apologize. You're going to send an email that you shouldn't have sent. Own it. I that you shouldn't have sent. Own it. I that you shouldn't have sent. Own it. I mean, that stuff AI is just going to mean, that stuff AI is just going to mean, that stuff AI is just going to polish. It's going to make So, yeah, polish. It's going to make So, yeah, polish. It's going to make So, yeah, you're going to have a few character you're going to have a few character you're going to have a few character slip-ups. Hopefully, nothing slip-ups. Hopefully, nothing slip-ups. Hopefully, nothing disqualifying you from ministry. disqualifying you from ministry. disqualifying you from ministry. But when you make a mistake, But when you make a mistake, But when you make a mistake, own it, confess it, admit it, look own it, confess it, admit it, look own it, confess it, admit it, look people in the eye, people in the eye, people in the eye, and character's going to get you back in and character's going to get you back in and character's going to get you back in the room. Third thing, use the tools, the room. Third thing, use the tools, the room. Third thing, use the tools, but do not outsource your brain or your but do not outsource your brain or your but do not outsource your brain or your soul. AI can help you research, soul. AI can help you research, soul. AI can help you research, organize, draft, and communicate a lot organize, draft, and communicate a lot organize, draft, and communicate a lot more efficiently. I use it. I use it more efficiently. I use it. I use it more efficiently. I use it. I use it really carefully. really carefully. really carefully. But there's a line between using AI as a But there's a line between using AI as a But there's a line between using AI as a tool and hiding behind it or losing who tool and hiding behind it or losing who tool and hiding behind it or losing who you are in the process, even losing your you are in the process, even losing your you are in the process, even losing your ability to think. The researchers behind ability to think. The researchers behind ability to think. The researchers behind the state of AI in church specifically the state of AI in church specifically the state of AI in church specifically flagged transparency and spiritual flagged transparency and spiritual flagged transparency and spiritual integrity as two of the biggest integrity as two of the biggest integrity as two of the biggest concerns. So, those are character concerns. So, those are character concerns. So, those are character problems. The question isn't what did AI problems. The question isn't what did AI problems. The question isn't what did AI write? The question is, is this who you write? The question is, is this who you write? The question is, is this who you really are? Is this what you actually really are? Is this what you actually really are? Is this what you actually believe? So, you can use the tool to believe? So, you can use the tool to believe? So, you can use the tool to make you better, but the message still make you better, but the message still make you better, but the message still It's got to live inside you, right? The It's got to live inside you, right? The It's got to live inside you, right? The conviction still has to be wholly yours, conviction still has to be wholly yours, conviction still has to be wholly yours, and the application has to be lived out, and the application has to be lived out, and the application has to be lived out, not generated.

not generated. not generated. The wrestling is the work when you write The wrestling is the work when you write The wrestling is the work when you write a sermon. The struggle is actually the a sermon. The struggle is actually the a sermon. The struggle is actually the point. That's your job as you serve the point. That's your job as you serve the point. That's your job as you serve the church. Don't bypass it. And when people church. Don't bypass it. And when people church. Don't bypass it. And when people see that you've done the hard work, they see that you've done the hard work, they see that you've done the hard work, they will respect it. So, if 78% of people will respect it. So, if 78% of people will respect it. So, if 78% of people couldn't tell the difference between a couldn't tell the difference between a couldn't tell the difference between a real person and a deep fake, real person and a deep fake, real person and a deep fake, that number is probably only going to that number is probably only going to that number is probably only going to get probably 100% within a short matter get probably 100% within a short matter get probably 100% within a short matter of time. But here's what I know. The of time. But here's what I know. The of time. But here's what I know. The leaders who will thrive in this leaders who will thrive in this leaders who will thrive in this environment are not the ones who figure environment are not the ones who figure environment are not the ones who figure out the best AI hacks and convince out the best AI hacks and convince out the best AI hacks and convince people it's them when it's not. Nope. people it's them when it's not. Nope. people it's them when it's not. Nope. They're the ones who become so genuinely They're the ones who become so genuinely They're the ones who become so genuinely consistent, unmistakably themselves that consistent, unmistakably themselves that consistent, unmistakably themselves that the people around them stop needing to the people around them stop needing to the people around them stop needing to wonder if what they're seeing is real. wonder if what they're seeing is real. wonder if what they're seeing is real. Competency is always going to matter. Competency is always going to matter. Competency is always going to matter. Get better at your craft. Use the tools Get better at your craft. Use the tools Get better at your craft. Use the tools available to you. But competency gets available to you. But competency gets available to you. But competency gets you in the room. you in the room. you in the room. Character keeps you there. And right now Character keeps you there. And right now Character keeps you there. And right now in 2026 in a world where almost in 2026 in a world where almost in 2026 in a world where almost everything can be faked, everything can be faked, everything can be faked, that's the most important investment you that's the most important investment you that's the most important investment you can make in your soul, in your can make in your soul, in your can make in your soul, in your character. So, if this conversation is character. So, if this conversation is character. So, if this conversation is resonating you want more, resonating you want more, resonating you want more, I've been going deep on exactly this I've been going deep on exactly this I've been going deep on exactly this topic and many others about the impact topic and many others about the impact topic and many others about the impact of AI. I've written a brand new book on of AI. I've written a brand new book on of AI. I've written a brand new book on artificial intelligence, church artificial intelligence, church artificial intelligence, church leadership, and what it means to be more leadership, and what it means to be more leadership, and what it means to be more human in an age of artificial human in an age of artificial human in an age of artificial everything. And I'd love for you to be everything. And I'd love for you to be everything. And I'd love for you to be among the first to get it. So, you can among the first to get it. So, you can among the first to get it. So, you can actually pre-order now. The link is in actually pre-order now. The link is in actually pre-order now. The link is in the description. I genuinely think this the description. I genuinely think this the description. I genuinely think this is going to be one of the most important is going to be one of the most important is going to be one of the most important conversations we have as leaders in the conversations we have as leaders in the conversations we have as leaders in the next few years. Not about what prompt next few years. Not about what prompt next few years. Not about what prompt are you using, but like what is this

are you using, but like what is this are you using, but like what is this doing to us? And I want you in on So, if doing to us? And I want you in on So, if doing to us? And I want you in on So, if this helped you, hit subscribe. New this helped you, hit subscribe. New this helped you, hit subscribe. New content every week for leaders who want content every week for leaders who want content every week for leaders who want to stay ahead. And drop a comment. How to stay ahead. And drop a comment. How to stay ahead. And drop a comment. How are you thinking about AI and are you thinking about AI and are you thinking about AI and authenticity in your leadership? Let me authenticity in your leadership? Let me authenticity in your leadership? Let me know.