Connecting Churches and People Through Technology | Brad Hill

but we our our statement is we believe but we our our statement is we believe there's actually a moral imperative for there's actually a moral imperative for there's actually a moral imperative for church leaders comm's leaders every church leaders comm's leaders every church leaders comm's leaders every Persona to think well about how to use Persona to think well about how to use Persona to think well about how to use this technology redemptively when the this technology redemptively when the this technology redemptively when the rest of our culture is going to be using rest of our culture is going to be using rest of our culture is going to be using it for cultural things right so so we it for cultural things right so so we it for cultural things right so so we think it's a good it's an important think it's a good it's an important think it's a good it's an important conversation and right now it's AI is conversation and right now it's AI is conversation and right now it's AI is the shiny object I think you know you the shiny object I think you know you the shiny object I think you know you guys may agree we're probably moving guys may agree we're probably moving guys may agree we're probably moving quickly toward a day where AI just kind quickly toward a day where AI just kind quickly toward a day where AI just kind of is there like the internet we don't of is there like the internet we don't of is there like the internet we don't really think about the internet too much really think about the internet too much really think about the internet too much anymore um you know but I think I think anymore um you know but I think I think anymore um you know but I think I think there's some important patterns right there's some important patterns right there's some important patterns right now that we need to contemplate uh to do now that we need to contemplate uh to do now that we need to contemplate uh to do this well this is season 4 episode 29 of this well this is season 4 episode 29 of this well this is season 4 episode 29 of the missional marketing podcast the the missional marketing podcast the the missional marketing podcast the 153rd edition of our show my name is 153rd edition of our show my name is 153rd edition of our show my name is Bart Blair and it's my privilege to Bart Blair and it's my privilege to Bart Blair and it's my privilege to welcome you to another episode of our welcome you to another episode of our welcome you to another episode of our show I say another maybe I'm assuming show I say another maybe I'm assuming show I say another maybe I'm assuming you've been here before maybe you you've been here before maybe you you've been here before maybe you haven't been here before maybe you're a haven't been here before maybe you're a haven't been here before maybe you're a first- Time listener and if you are first- Time listener and if you are first- Time listener and if you are welcome to the show uh we've been welcome to the show uh we've been welcome to the show uh we've been producing this podcast since 2020 with producing this podcast since 2020 with producing this podcast since 2020 with the goal of helping churches grow by the goal of helping churches grow by the goal of helping churches grow by leveraging digital marketing and leveraging digital marketing and leveraging digital marketing and effective Communications we simply want effective Communications we simply want effective Communications we simply want to help you get better at what you do uh to help you get better at what you do uh to help you get better at what you do uh if you have a role in the marketing the if you have a role in the marketing the if you have a role in the marketing the communications in your church maybe communications in your church maybe communications in your church maybe you're the leader of the team maybe you you're the leader of the team maybe you you're the leader of the team maybe you are a member of the team or maybe just are a member of the team or maybe just are a member of the team or maybe just maybe you are the entire team which is maybe you are the entire team which is maybe you are the entire team which is often the case we want to help you be often the case we want to help you be often the case we want to help you be more efficient and more effective at more efficient and more effective at more efficient and more effective at what you do and so we've been producing what you do and so we've been producing what you do and so we've been producing this podcast uh for just over four years this podcast uh for just over four years this podcast uh for just over four years with the goal of helping you uh find with the goal of helping you uh find with the goal of helping you uh find tools and resources and tricks of the tools and resources and tricks of the tools and resources and tricks of the trade uh that can help you be better in

trade uh that can help you be better in trade uh that can help you be better in what you're doing because when you get what you're doing because when you get what you're doing because when you get better more people find Jesus that's the better more people find Jesus that's the better more people find Jesus that's the goal we are missional marketing our goal we are missional marketing our goal we are missional marketing our mission is to help churches accomplish mission is to help churches accomplish mission is to help churches accomplish their mission doing our part of Kingdom their mission doing our part of Kingdom their mission doing our part of Kingdom building through the internet and building through the internet and building through the internet and through digital mechanisms so uh we want through digital mechanisms so uh we want through digital mechanisms so uh we want to help you reach more people for Jesus to help you reach more people for Jesus to help you reach more people for Jesus and once they're connected in your and once they're connected in your and once they're connected in your church we want to help you communicate church we want to help you communicate church we want to help you communicate to them better so that they can grow to them better so that they can grow to them better so that they can grow more effectively in their relationship more effectively in their relationship more effectively in their relationship with Jesus I hope that you're finding with Jesus I hope that you're finding with Jesus I hope that you're finding this content helps you do that uh if you this content helps you do that uh if you this content helps you do that uh if you do find this podcast to be helpful uh do find this podcast to be helpful uh do find this podcast to be helpful uh make sure that you leave us a rating or make sure that you leave us a rating or make sure that you leave us a rating or review wherever you listen to your review wherever you listen to your review wherever you listen to your favorite podcast that would help us out favorite podcast that would help us out favorite podcast that would help us out and help more people find the podcast and help more people find the podcast and help more people find the podcast well today's episode is an interview well today's episode is an interview well today's episode is an interview that Jason Hamrock and I recently had that Jason Hamrock and I recently had that Jason Hamrock and I recently had the opportunity to do with Brad Hill who the opportunity to do with Brad Hill who the opportunity to do with Brad Hill who is the chief Solutions officer at glue is the chief Solutions officer at glue is the chief Solutions officer at glue have you ever heard of glue it's spelled have you ever heard of glue it's spelled have you ever heard of glue it's spelled g o it's not GL the stuff that sticks g o it's not GL the stuff that sticks g o it's not GL the stuff that sticks stuff together it is glue which is a stuff together it is glue which is a stuff together it is glue which is a technology platform technology company technology platform technology company technology platform technology company that is designed to help churches local that is designed to help churches local that is designed to help churches local churches love what these guys do I've churches love what these guys do I've churches love what these guys do I've been a big fan a big follower of glue been a big fan a big follower of glue been a big fan a big follower of glue for a number of years I'm a user of for a number of years I'm a user of for a number of years I'm a user of their technology which you'll hear about their technology which you'll hear about their technology which you'll hear about a little bit in this podcast episode and a little bit in this podcast episode and a little bit in this podcast episode and in this discussion with Brad who has his in this discussion with Brad who has his in this discussion with Brad who has his finger on the pulse of a lot of finger on the pulse of a lot of finger on the pulse of a lot of technological things and including some technological things and including some technological things and including some AI stuff uh we get into the weeds a AI stuff uh we get into the weeds a AI stuff uh we get into the weeds a little bit about some things that you as little bit about some things that you as little bit about some things that you as a church leader a church Communicator uh a church leader a church Communicator uh a church leader a church Communicator uh can be doing to leverage some of their can be doing to leverage some of their can be doing to leverage some of their technology as well as things that you technology as well as things that you technology as well as things that you can be looking for on the horizon as it can be looking for on the horizon as it can be looking for on the horizon as it relates to artificial intelligence and relates to artificial intelligence and relates to artificial intelligence and other technological advances that are other technological advances that are other technological advances that are helping the local church I hope that

helping the local church I hope that helping the local church I hope that you'll find this conversation to be as you'll find this conversation to be as you'll find this conversation to be as helpful as I found it to be interesting helpful as I found it to be interesting helpful as I found it to be interesting to have and uh without any further delay to have and uh without any further delay to have and uh without any further delay uh here's Jason Hamrock the CEO of uh here's Jason Hamrock the CEO of uh here's Jason Hamrock the CEO of missional marketing and our interview missional marketing and our interview missional marketing and our interview with Brad with Brad with Brad Hill well hey Brad welcome to the show Hill well hey Brad welcome to the show Hill well hey Brad welcome to the show how are you doing today doing great guys how are you doing today doing great guys how are you doing today doing great guys so good to be with you thanks for uh so good to be with you thanks for uh so good to be with you thanks for uh making space for this conversation oh making space for this conversation oh making space for this conversation oh thank you for jumping on we are pumped thank you for jumping on we are pumped thank you for jumping on we are pumped about uh what you're going to talk about about uh what you're going to talk about about uh what you're going to talk about and especially with all that glue's got and especially with all that glue's got and especially with all that glue's got going on and so first of all though for going on and so first of all though for going on and so first of all though for our audience just give us a little our audience just give us a little our audience just give us a little background as to who you are and and uh background as to who you are and and uh background as to who you are and and uh a little little bit of just a history of a little little bit of just a history of a little little bit of just a history of Brad and your family and then what you Brad and your family and then what you Brad and your family and then what you get to do at glue sure yeah I live here get to do at glue sure yeah I live here get to do at glue sure yeah I live here in the Denver Colorado area and uh serve in the Denver Colorado area and uh serve in the Denver Colorado area and uh serve as Chief Solutions officer at glue and as Chief Solutions officer at glue and as Chief Solutions officer at glue and you know it's a it's a crazy title you know it's a it's a crazy title you know it's a it's a crazy title because um it I think it's made up I because um it I think it's made up I because um it I think it's made up I don't know and people are like does that don't know and people are like does that don't know and people are like does that just mean everyone brings you your their just mean everyone brings you your their just mean everyone brings you your their problems um and you have to have the problems um and you have to have the problems um and you have to have the solutions but um at any rate I've been solutions but um at any rate I've been solutions but um at any rate I've been serving here at glue on the executive serving here at glue on the executive serving here at glue on the executive team about six years and have have team about six years and have have team about six years and have have bounced around moved a lot of places uh bounced around moved a lot of places uh bounced around moved a lot of places uh my wife and I have two teenage daughters my wife and I have two teenage daughters my wife and I have two teenage daughters so that's a very real part of our story so that's a very real part of our story so that's a very real part of our story right now we're on the little bit Final right now we're on the little bit Final right now we're on the little bit Final Approach toward College figuring that Approach toward College figuring that Approach toward College figuring that whole season of Life out as we speak um whole season of Life out as we speak um whole season of Life out as we speak um but uh yeah I've been you know but uh yeah I've been you know but uh yeah I've been you know professional Journey for me and Ministry professional Journey for me and Ministry professional Journey for me and Ministry journey I guess have really been at this journey I guess have really been at this journey I guess have really been at this intersection I always talk about three intersection I always talk about three intersection I always talk about three Circles of business Ministry and

Circles of business Ministry and Circles of business Ministry and technology or innovation and I love technology or innovation and I love technology or innovation and I love being at the intersect of any two of being at the intersect of any two of being at the intersect of any two of those but man if you can get in that those but man if you can get in that those but man if you can get in that sweet spot Bullseye in all three sweet spot Bullseye in all three sweet spot Bullseye in all three business Ministry technology that's business Ministry technology that's business Ministry technology that's that's great so you know for me it's that's great so you know for me it's that's great so you know for me it's been starting some companies running been starting some companies running been starting some companies running some companies uh Cy organic Ministry some companies uh Cy organic Ministry some companies uh Cy organic Ministry Brands glue uh and and a few other crazy Brands glue uh and and a few other crazy Brands glue uh and and a few other crazy startups that have nothing to do with startups that have nothing to do with startups that have nothing to do with any of that that uh that I've done but any of that that uh that I've done but any of that that uh that I've done but um yeah aren't you the guy that started um yeah aren't you the guy that started um yeah aren't you the guy that started Uber AR aren't you the guy that's no oh Uber AR aren't you the guy that's no oh Uber AR aren't you the guy that's no oh no sorry a different conversation right no sorry a different conversation right no sorry a different conversation right now I just just I just picked out of the now I just just I just picked out of the now I just just I just picked out of the air another startup that had nothing to air another startup that had nothing to air another startup that had nothing to do with any of those others since yeah do with any of those others since yeah do with any of those others since yeah that one turned out okay but I tell you that one turned out okay but I tell you that one turned out okay but I tell you what B we talk about Uber a lot as it what B we talk about Uber a lot as it what B we talk about Uber a lot as it relates to glue because you know we use relates to glue because you know we use relates to glue because you know we use the word platform really intentionally the word platform really intentionally the word platform really intentionally and uh you know PE I think sometimes and uh you know PE I think sometimes and uh you know PE I think sometimes people overuse the word but you know people overuse the word but you know people overuse the word but you know platform is and this will get us into platform is and this will get us into platform is and this will get us into glue a platform is a set of tools or glue a platform is a set of tools or glue a platform is a set of tools or infrastructures that allow people to infrastructures that allow people to infrastructures that allow people to connect to each other like drivers and connect to each other like drivers and connect to each other like drivers and Riders yeah or hosts and guests and we Riders yeah or hosts and guests and we Riders yeah or hosts and guests and we we just look at the whole church we just look at the whole church we just look at the whole church landscape right now and we see a a real landscape right now and we see a a real landscape right now and we see a a real need and an opportunity to get people need and an opportunity to get people need and an opportunity to get people connecting so in terms of our big job at connecting so in terms of our big job at connecting so in terms of our big job at glue we see really being almost the glue we see really being almost the glue we see really being almost the pipes that connect everybody so we love pipes that connect everybody so we love pipes that connect everybody so we love to talk about Uber or other platforms to talk about Uber or other platforms to talk about Uber or other platforms because we think it's a really good because we think it's a really good because we think it's a really good analogy yeah modeling what they're doing analogy yeah modeling what they're doing analogy yeah modeling what they're doing yeah yeah totally so so so yeah I do yeah yeah totally so so so yeah I do yeah yeah totally so so so yeah I do like your title Chief Solutions officer

like your title Chief Solutions officer like your title Chief Solutions officer give us a little bit of insight into give us a little bit of insight into give us a little bit of insight into what you're what is it you do what's the what you're what is it you do what's the what you're what is it you do what's the day-to-day look like sure we've got a day-to-day look like sure we've got a day-to-day look like sure we've got a team over here at glue about 130 folks team over here at glue about 130 folks team over here at glue about 130 folks um who are building things and you know um who are building things and you know um who are building things and you know figuring out next iterations we we do a figuring out next iterations we we do a figuring out next iterations we we do a lot of tech over here but um you know my lot of tech over here but um you know my lot of tech over here but um you know my my particular area Jason and my team um my particular area Jason and my team um my particular area Jason and my team um the way I like to simplify it we really the way I like to simplify it we really the way I like to simplify it we really help we're out with pastors we're out help we're out with pastors we're out help we're out with pastors we're out with all types of church leaders as well with all types of church leaders as well with all types of church leaders as well as as as denominations networks even donors and denominations networks even donors and denominations networks even donors and what my team's job is is really to help what my team's job is is really to help what my team's job is is really to help everyone in the ecosystem use the tools everyone in the ecosystem use the tools everyone in the ecosystem use the tools that others in glue are building so um that others in glue are building so um that others in glue are building so um that that could be as simple as just that that could be as simple as just that that could be as simple as just getting them on and teaching them how to getting them on and teaching them how to getting them on and teaching them how to use you know a tool of software but use you know a tool of software but use you know a tool of software but really we prioritize how to get two or really we prioritize how to get two or really we prioritize how to get two or more parties exchanging so that could more parties exchanging so that could more parties exchanging so that could look like how does a church leader look like how does a church leader look like how does a church leader benefit from the chosen or how how might benefit from the chosen or how how might benefit from the chosen or how how might uh people coming to a hackathon building uh people coming to a hackathon building uh people coming to a hackathon building AI tools then get those tools in the AI tools then get those tools in the AI tools then get those tools in the hands of hands of hands of churches uh you know from an awareness churches uh you know from an awareness churches uh you know from an awareness and utilization standpoint so we're in and utilization standpoint so we're in and utilization standpoint so we're in the business of connecting and that's the business of connecting and that's the business of connecting and that's you know I've got teams that Focus you know I've got teams that Focus you know I've got teams that Focus deeply in denominations I've got teams deeply in denominations I've got teams deeply in denominations I've got teams that think just about black church that think just about black church that think just about black church leaders Hispanic Church City movements leaders Hispanic Church City movements leaders Hispanic Church City movements and a range of other and a range of other and a range of other you know wings of this vast thing we you know wings of this vast thing we you know wings of this vast thing we call the church so that's that's what we call the church so that's that's what we call the church so that's that's what we get to spend our days on that's I I love get to spend our days on that's I I love get to spend our days on that's I I love that I love that stuff and and you're in that I love that stuff and and you're in that I love that stuff and and you're in that sweet spot that those three circles that sweet spot that those three circles that sweet spot that those three circles it sounds like with what you got going

it sounds like with what you got going it sounds like with what you got going on okay so a lot of our audience are com on okay so a lot of our audience are com on okay so a lot of our audience are com directors or XPS or lead pastors they directors or XPS or lead pastors they directors or XPS or lead pastors they they they're listening in today right they they're listening in today right they they're listening in today right now and so give me some uh give me some now and so give me some uh give me some now and so give me some uh give me some some tips or tools on how can I as a as some tips or tools on how can I as a as some tips or tools on how can I as a as a com director at a church how can I use a com director at a church how can I use a com director at a church how can I use the glue platform to further my the glue platform to further my the glue platform to further my Ministry sure well there's I mean there Ministry sure well there's I mean there Ministry sure well there's I mean there there are so many answers to that there are so many answers to that there are so many answers to that question and and I think you know glue question and and I think you know glue question and and I think you know glue if anything we've got a a challenge if anything we've got a a challenge if anything we've got a a challenge we've always had a challenge of people we've always had a challenge of people we've always had a challenge of people even knowing what it is and how to use even knowing what it is and how to use even knowing what it is and how to use it um what I would say simplistically is it um what I would say simplistically is it um what I would say simplistically is glue is going to help you in any context glue is going to help you in any context glue is going to help you in any context in a church do a few things uh one of in a church do a few things uh one of in a church do a few things uh one of those is to reach more people that those is to reach more people that those is to reach more people that you're not reaching and we can dig into you're not reaching and we can dig into you're not reaching and we can dig into that a little bit right um you guys are that a little bit right um you guys are that a little bit right um you guys are all too familiar at missional marke all too familiar at missional marke all too familiar at missional marke with the Outreach and you know marketing with the Outreach and you know marketing with the Outreach and you know marketing jobs so that's that's one area another jobs so that's that's one area another jobs so that's that's one area another would be better engaging the people that would be better engaging the people that would be better engaging the people that we have currently um you guys may know we have currently um you guys may know we have currently um you guys may know we do a lot of work in texting and in we do a lot of work in texting and in we do a lot of work in texting and in Communications overall really helping Communications overall really helping Communications overall really helping churches kind of hone in on how can we churches kind of hone in on how can we churches kind of hone in on how can we get people connecting connecting to each get people connecting connecting to each get people connecting connecting to each other kind of close the back door a lot other kind of close the back door a lot other kind of close the back door a lot of those of those of those sentiments um we also think about data sentiments um we also think about data sentiments um we also think about data and and what I'll just call knowing k and and what I'll just call knowing k and and what I'll just call knowing k knowing and that's that's sort of a nod knowing and that's that's sort of a nod knowing and that's that's sort of a nod to yes some some basic analytics and to yes some some basic analytics and to yes some some basic analytics and dashboards but there's a whole deeper dashboards but there's a whole deeper dashboards but there's a whole deeper conversation about how we keep score in conversation about how we keep score in conversation about how we keep score in the church what are the things that we

the church what are the things that we the church what are the things that we count uh what are the metrics that we count uh what are the metrics that we count uh what are the metrics that we lead by you know and most of us If we're lead by you know and most of us If we're lead by you know and most of us If we're honest it's probably going to be honest it's probably going to be honest it's probably going to be attendance giving maybe attendance giving maybe attendance giving maybe baptisms which are all good things by baptisms which are all good things by baptisms which are all good things by the way like they're turns out they're the way like they're turns out they're the way like they're turns out they're in they're in Acts they're in the Bible in they're in Acts they're in the Bible in they're in Acts they're in the Bible we should count those things but we we we should count those things but we we we should count those things but we we would also contend that there's kind of would also contend that there's kind of would also contend that there's kind of a new um movement um a foot we we like a new um movement um a foot we we like a new um movement um a foot we we like to kind of call it the connected to kind of call it the connected to kind of call it the connected Ministry movement and it's really about Ministry movement and it's really about Ministry movement and it's really about putting the person at the center and so putting the person at the center and so putting the person at the center and so glue we've got a number of tools and glue we've got a number of tools and glue we've got a number of tools and different um capabilities on our different um capabilities on our different um capabilities on our platform to help you start to actually platform to help you start to actually platform to help you start to actually measure discipleship like measure the measure discipleship like measure the measure discipleship like measure the growth or as we say the flourishing of growth or as we say the flourishing of growth or as we say the flourishing of people and churches that are adopting people and churches that are adopting people and churches that are adopting that mindset there's a massive amount of that mindset there's a massive amount of that mindset there's a massive amount of implications for what that can mean or implications for what that can mean or implications for what that can mean or even what it could change in terms of even what it could change in terms of even what it could change in terms of everything from our weekend experience everything from our weekend experience everything from our weekend experience to our marketing to yeah the way we to our marketing to yeah the way we to our marketing to yeah the way we communicate so you know kind of communicate so you know kind of communicate so you know kind of understanding resources data technology understanding resources data technology understanding resources data technology and even funding those are all ways the and even funding those are all ways the and even funding those are all ways the church leaders can use glue to basically church leaders can use glue to basically church leaders can use glue to basically do more of what they're trying to do oh do more of what they're trying to do oh do more of what they're trying to do oh I I love that so not all of course the I I love that so not all of course the I I love that so not all of course the external marketing we're passionate external marketing we're passionate external marketing we're passionate about that because we want to go after about that because we want to go after about that because we want to go after the one you know ahead of the 99 but the one you know ahead of the 99 but the one you know ahead of the 99 but also marketing internally but I think also marketing internally but I think also marketing internally but I think I'm probably most excited about your I'm probably most excited about your I'm probably most excited about your answer is that discipleship tool answer is that discipleship tool answer is that discipleship tool discipleship path and what you're saying discipleship path and what you're saying discipleship path and what you're saying to me is if you utilize glue what you to me is if you utilize glue what you to me is if you utilize glue what you can do is help your people recognize can do is help your people recognize can do is help your people recognize that you know about them you know where that you know about them you know where that you know about them you know where they are perhaps on their on their

they are perhaps on their on their they are perhaps on their on their Journey if they're in a small group if Journey if they're in a small group if Journey if they're in a small group if they've they're giving serving attending they've they're giving serving attending they've they're giving serving attending said yes to Jesus been baptized which is said yes to Jesus been baptized which is said yes to Jesus been baptized which is huge you know a lot of churches can't huge you know a lot of churches can't huge you know a lot of churches can't say that they even know where anybody is say that they even know where anybody is say that they even know where anybody is on their Journey unless they go look at on their Journey unless they go look at on their Journey unless they go look at some data points but how are you making some data points but how are you making some data points but how are you making it easier for people to see that uh Qui it easier for people to see that uh Qui it easier for people to see that uh Qui you know quicker if I'm a Staff person I you know quicker if I'm a Staff person I you know quicker if I'm a Staff person I can use the glue Tools in order for me can use the glue Tools in order for me can use the glue Tools in order for me to connect with and communicate with to connect with and communicate with to connect with and communicate with people yeah absolutely I mean we have people yeah absolutely I mean we have people yeah absolutely I mean we have churches as as simple Jason is coming on churches as as simple Jason is coming on churches as as simple Jason is coming on first to leverage our texting platform first to leverage our texting platform first to leverage our texting platform which um a lot of folks know about a which um a lot of folks know about a which um a lot of folks know about a year and a half ago we decided to make year and a half ago we decided to make year and a half ago we decided to make that free to every church so there's a that free to every church so there's a that free to every church so there's a you know really robust set of free tools you know really robust set of free tools you know really robust set of free tools that let you use SMS in any phase of that let you use SMS in any phase of that let you use SMS in any phase of your weekly Ministry it's really your weekly Ministry it's really your weekly Ministry it's really designed though we call it a relational designed though we call it a relational designed though we call it a relational texting tool where um if I'm a pastor texting tool where um if I'm a pastor texting tool where um if I'm a pastor small group leader or any kind of lay small group leader or any kind of lay small group leader or any kind of lay leader who's trying to get someone else leader who's trying to get someone else leader who's trying to get someone else to grow trying to get someone else a to grow trying to get someone else a to grow trying to get someone else a step further in their Journey it's built step further in their Journey it's built step further in their Journey it's built for that it's really made for those for that it's really made for those for that it's really made for those one-on-one conversations at scale um you one-on-one conversations at scale um you one-on-one conversations at scale um you know there there's a principle we talk know there there's a principle we talk know there there's a principle we talk about at glue maybe this will help about at glue maybe this will help about at glue maybe this will help somebody but we glue spent about the somebody but we glue spent about the somebody but we glue spent about the first 10 years really studying how first 10 years really studying how first 10 years really studying how people grow uh we looked at marriage people grow uh we looked at marriage people grow uh we looked at marriage Ministry we looked at counseling we Ministry we looked at counseling we Ministry we looked at counseling we looked at you know good oldfashioned looked at you know good oldfashioned looked at you know good oldfashioned discipleship and even education and what discipleship and even education and what discipleship and even education and what it kind of emerged from that what we saw it kind of emerged from that what we saw it kind of emerged from that what we saw was a pattern that no matter what

was a pattern that no matter what was a pattern that no matter what discipline you're in there's kind of discipline you're in there's kind of discipline you're in there's kind of three simple stages in a cycle that three simple stages in a cycle that three simple stages in a cycle that people grow through and we call it people grow through and we call it people grow through and we call it simply no match catalyze and that's simply no match catalyze and that's simply no match catalyze and that's again k no match catalyze and and so to again k no match catalyze and and so to again k no match catalyze and and so to put it in an example we could all put it in an example we could all put it in an example we could all understand like let's say you're in a understand like let's say you're in a understand like let's say you're in a church Lobby Sunday morning and you're church Lobby Sunday morning and you're church Lobby Sunday morning and you're standing there you're at the church standing there you're at the church standing there you're at the church maybe you're on staff or you're a maybe you're on staff or you're a maybe you're on staff or you're a regular someone comes in the door you regular someone comes in the door you regular someone comes in the door you don't recognize so um instantly you sort don't recognize so um instantly you sort don't recognize so um instantly you sort of connect with that person and you you of connect with that person and you you of connect with that person and you you may walk over hopefully if you've got a may walk over hopefully if you've got a may walk over hopefully if you've got a good culture of hospitality you walk good culture of hospitality you walk good culture of hospitality you walk over and Shake Hands Say Hey I'm Brad over and Shake Hands Say Hey I'm Brad over and Shake Hands Say Hey I'm Brad what's your name and now you you know what's your name and now you you know what's your name and now you you know where are you from what's your family so where are you from what's your family so where are you from what's your family so you you now know something about that you you now know something about that you you now know something about that individual and you're like oh you have individual and you're like oh you have individual and you're like oh you have two two two teenage daughters that's great you need teenage daughters that's great you need teenage daughters that's great you need to go over here and meet my friend blank to go over here and meet my friend blank to go over here and meet my friend blank who also has same kids that's a that's who also has same kids that's a that's who also has same kids that's a that's that's a we do this intuitively but that's a we do this intuitively but that's a we do this intuitively but that's a match process to that other that's a match process to that other that's a match process to that other person yeah and why am I doing that person yeah and why am I doing that person yeah and why am I doing that because I believe that that connection because I believe that that connection because I believe that that connection is going to catalyze something yeah it's is going to catalyze something yeah it's is going to catalyze something yeah it's going to cause them to grow or get in going to cause them to grow or get in going to cause them to grow or get in community so that's an analog example community so that's an analog example community so that's an analog example and what we see is there's an and what we see is there's an and what we see is there's an opportunity for us to know our people opportunity for us to know our people opportunity for us to know our people better at scale yes using sometimes better at scale yes using sometimes better at scale yes using sometimes digital tools like assessments or you digital tools like assessments or you digital tools like assessments or you know simple communication signals that know simple communication signals that know simple communication signals that come through so that we can match each come through so that we can match each come through so that we can match each person better to what we think is going person better to what we think is going person better to what we think is going to grow them or catalyze them no match to grow them or catalyze them no match to grow them or catalyze them no match catalyze and then measure and do it catalyze and then measure and do it catalyze and then measure and do it again so that's that's a framework that

again so that's that's a framework that again so that's that's a framework that drives a lot of what we build on across drives a lot of what we build on across drives a lot of what we build on across our whole platform so you've been doing our whole platform so you've been doing our whole platform so you've been doing this for a long time uh and I know yeah this for a long time uh and I know yeah this for a long time uh and I know yeah you guys been around for a while you've you guys been around for a while you've you guys been around for a while you've been learning all this stuff what's been been learning all this stuff what's been been learning all this stuff what's been some of the results if you can if you if some of the results if you can if you if some of the results if you can if you if any come to mind on on how some churches any come to mind on on how some churches any come to mind on on how some churches that have implemented this have really that have implemented this have really that have implemented this have really seen that that needle get seen that that needle get seen that that needle get moved well we've had um for first of all moved well we've had um for first of all moved well we've had um for first of all we've done a lot of work over the last we've done a lot of work over the last we've done a lot of work over the last few years to just really spread the word few years to just really spread the word few years to just really spread the word and get churches kind of taken a first and get churches kind of taken a first and get churches kind of taken a first step on glue so the result of that is step on glue so the result of that is step on glue so the result of that is glue now is a platform of about 71 glue now is a platform of about 71 glue now is a platform of about 71 72,000 churches that have accounts that 72,000 churches that have accounts that 72,000 churches that have accounts that like that's not a mailing list they like that's not a mailing list they like that's not a mailing list they actually have a login they've used or actually have a login they've used or actually have a login they've used or are using glue for certain things are using glue for certain things are using glue for certain things so that's that's kind of cool in of so that's that's kind of cool in of so that's that's kind of cool in of itself you know as best we can tell glue itself you know as best we can tell glue itself you know as best we can tell glue really is becoming sort of the largest really is becoming sort of the largest really is becoming sort of the largest platform for churches that are trying to platform for churches that are trying to platform for churches that are trying to practice connected Ministry most of practice connected Ministry most of practice connected Ministry most of those churches by the way are on the those churches by the way are on the those churches by the way are on the platform for free taking advantage of platform for free taking advantage of platform for free taking advantage of those tools uh on the texting side we those tools uh on the texting side we those tools uh on the texting side we have hundreds of millions of messages have hundreds of millions of messages have hundreds of millions of messages coming through the system any given coming through the system any given coming through the system any given month wow um one cool stat we see we one month wow um one cool stat we see we one month wow um one cool stat we see we one of the features built in is really of the features built in is really of the features built in is really designed to catalyze more more prayer in designed to catalyze more more prayer in designed to catalyze more more prayer in a church and what we commonly hear back a church and what we commonly hear back a church and what we commonly hear back from a lot of the churches is when they from a lot of the churches is when they from a lot of the churches is when they when they use texting for prayer which when they use texting for prayer which when they use texting for prayer which is just an interesting comment in itself is just an interesting comment in itself is just an interesting comment in itself um somebody recently was like if you um somebody recently was like if you um somebody recently was like if you pray over text does it pray over text does it pray over text does it count like I would say yes yes it does

count like I would say yes yes it does count like I would say yes yes it does any R this is new ground for a lot of any R this is new ground for a lot of any R this is new ground for a lot of churches to but but as they do it what churches to but but as they do it what churches to but but as they do it what they find is that they report overall they find is that they report overall they find is that they report overall prayer activity increases in their prayer activity increases in their prayer activity increases in their Church uh by 10x Church uh by 10x Church uh by 10x um just by virtue of using the tool and um just by virtue of using the tool and um just by virtue of using the tool and the modality that so many of us are used the modality that so many of us are used the modality that so many of us are used to every day right which is texting so to every day right which is texting so to every day right which is texting so simple thing but pretty pretty dramatic simple thing but pretty pretty dramatic simple thing but pretty pretty dramatic Kingdom results we're seeing there so Kingdom results we're seeing there so Kingdom results we're seeing there so far um and then one additional thing you far um and then one additional thing you far um and then one additional thing you guys may know about we we have a a guys may know about we we have a a guys may know about we we have a a really program we're really proud of really program we're really proud of really program we're really proud of called Explorer connections and this is called Explorer connections and this is called Explorer connections and this is connecting all sorts of people from connecting all sorts of people from connecting all sorts of people from various digital campaigns uh big various digital campaigns uh big various digital campaigns uh big movements Live Events big Jesus movements Live Events big Jesus movements Live Events big Jesus campaigns in the Super Bowl things like campaigns in the Super Bowl things like campaigns in the Super Bowl things like that that that who want to connect right who want may who want to connect right who want may who want to connect right who want may want to connect into a local community want to connect into a local community want to connect into a local community local church or maybe need help we're local church or maybe need help we're local church or maybe need help we're doing that about a thousand times a day doing that about a thousand times a day doing that about a thousand times a day um nationally so we've had you know at um nationally so we've had you know at um nationally so we've had you know at this point north of 350,000 this point north of 350,000 this point north of 350,000 people uh who by the way people who people uh who by the way people who people uh who by the way people who normally would not just set foot in a normally would not just set foot in a normally would not just set foot in a church um are coming in maybe for a church um are coming in maybe for a church um are coming in maybe for a reason other than just visiting on the reason other than just visiting on the reason other than just visiting on the weekend but they want to talk pray go to weekend but they want to talk pray go to weekend but they want to talk pray go to coffee things like that and we really coffee things like that and we really coffee things like that and we really see that as a new Harvest that's that's see that as a new Harvest that's that's see that as a new Harvest that's that's forming that's hopefully a strong forming that's hopefully a strong forming that's hopefully a strong antidote to this all this depressing antidote to this all this depressing antidote to this all this depressing news we hear about de churching and news we hear about de churching and news we hear about de churching and churches on the decline we think there's churches on the decline we think there's churches on the decline we think there's actually a strong reverse to that story actually a strong reverse to that story actually a strong reverse to that story Brad let me let me speak to the Brad let me let me speak to the Brad let me let me speak to the Explorers program uh platform because Explorers program uh platform because Explorers program uh platform because I'm using it uh so my wife and I are I'm using it uh so my wife and I are I'm using it uh so my wife and I are part of a church planting team we're

part of a church planting team we're part of a church planting team we're planting a church in a small but growing planting a church in a small but growing planting a church in a small but growing Community just outside of the Dallas for Community just outside of the Dallas for Community just outside of the Dallas for Worth area and we saw the Explorers um Worth area and we saw the Explorers um Worth area and we saw the Explorers um platform as a VI way for us to actually platform as a VI way for us to actually platform as a VI way for us to actually make connections with people who live in make connections with people who live in make connections with people who live in our geot targeted area who we might not our geot targeted area who we might not our geot targeted area who we might not otherwise have the opportunity to otherwise have the opportunity to otherwise have the opportunity to intersect with and I'll say by and large intersect with and I'll say by and large intersect with and I'll say by and large just because of the the geographic area just because of the the geographic area just because of the the geographic area that we're in a lot of the explorers that we're in a lot of the explorers that we're in a lot of the explorers that we get connected to us are probably that we get connected to us are probably that we get connected to us are probably a little far out from geographically a little far out from geographically a little far out from geographically from where we are however um I have a from where we are however um I have a from where we are however um I have a young man that I have been mentoring uh young man that I have been mentoring uh young man that I have been mentoring uh meeting with and mentoring since uh meeting with and mentoring since uh meeting with and mentoring since uh October for about six months now at the October for about six months now at the October for about six months now at the time that we've been recording this time that we've been recording this time that we've been recording this who's just going through a world of Life who's just going through a world of Life who's just going through a world of Life stuff and he texted on an ad and ended stuff and he texted on an ad and ended stuff and he texted on an ad and ended up in my inbox and now we have a up in my inbox and now we have a up in my inbox and now we have a relationship and he is not a person who relationship and he is not a person who relationship and he is not a person who follows Jesus he has told me over and follows Jesus he has told me over and follows Jesus he has told me over and over again that he's not necessarily all over again that he's not necessarily all over again that he's not necessarily all that interested in God although he's in that interested in God although he's in that interested in God although he's in a 12-step recovery program and a 12-step recovery program and a 12-step recovery program and recognizes that the higher power is recognizes that the higher power is recognizes that the higher power is going to be a part and part of that at going to be a part and part of that at going to be a part and part of that at some point but I've had the opportunity some point but I've had the opportunity some point but I've had the opportunity to share my faith Journey with him you to share my faith Journey with him you to share my faith Journey with him you know one to one sitting at a coffee shop know one to one sitting at a coffee shop know one to one sitting at a coffee shop uh numerous times my wife has another uh numerous times my wife has another uh numerous times my wife has another lady who she's connected with uh who's lady who she's connected with uh who's lady who she's connected with uh who's going through some marital challenges going through some marital challenges going through some marital challenges and has been meeting with her and kind and has been meeting with her and kind and has been meeting with her and kind of encouraging her um I also do some of encouraging her um I also do some of encouraging her um I also do some coaching in church revitalization space coaching in church revitalization space coaching in church revitalization space and I've got a church that I'm working and I've got a church that I'm working and I've got a church that I'm working within Colorado Springs that has been within Colorado Springs that has been within Colorado Springs that has been using uh the explorers and they have two using uh the explorers and they have two using uh the explorers and they have two or three people that are currently

or three people that are currently or three people that are currently attending their church now uh who all attending their church now uh who all attending their church now uh who all connected on the Explorers so great you connected on the Explorers so great you connected on the Explorers so great you know we're we're we're I'm attesting to know we're we're we're I'm attesting to know we're we're we're I'm attesting to the fact that it's a great way to the fact that it's a great way to the fact that it's a great way to connect with people you have to be connect with people you have to be connect with people you have to be patient with it it's not easy there is patient with it it's not easy there is patient with it it's not easy there is no part of ministry that's really easy no part of ministry that's really easy no part of ministry that's really easy and when you're connecting with people and when you're connecting with people and when you're connecting with people who are willing to look at an ad respond who are willing to look at an ad respond who are willing to look at an ad respond to it what they a lot of times I think to it what they a lot of times I think to it what they a lot of times I think they feel is somewhat anonymous because they feel is somewhat anonymous because they feel is somewhat anonymous because it is digital and it is online it is digital and it is online it is digital and it is online especially with a lot of younger people especially with a lot of younger people especially with a lot of younger people um I don't know that they all always um I don't know that they all always um I don't know that they all always recognize that there's going to be a recognize that there's going to be a recognize that there's going to be a human being on the other side who human being on the other side who human being on the other side who actually receives the message and actually receives the message and actually receives the message and responds to them so you know the journey responds to them so you know the journey responds to them so you know the journey to actually make real relationships out to actually make real relationships out to actually make real relationships out of that is tricky and it's nuanced um of that is tricky and it's nuanced um of that is tricky and it's nuanced um but you know at the at the scale at but you know at the at the scale at but you know at the at the scale at which you're doing it I'm sure that which you're doing it I'm sure that which you're doing it I'm sure that there are a lot of other churches that there are a lot of other churches that there are a lot of other churches that have great uh great stories and great have great uh great stories and great have great uh great stories and great testimonies as well but I just thought testimonies as well but I just thought testimonies as well but I just thought I'd share my own well Bart first of all I'd share my own well Bart first of all I'd share my own well Bart first of all thank you like I want to give you a thank you like I want to give you a thank you like I want to give you a virtual hug here I mean every time we we virtual hug here I mean every time we we virtual hug here I mean every time we we get to connect with people who are not get to connect with people who are not get to connect with people who are not just using it but are really putting the just using it but are really putting the just using it but are really putting the time in and the care and the love that time in and the care and the love that time in and the care and the love that you are that's exactly the type of you you are that's exactly the type of you you are that's exactly the type of you know we call them responders you guys know we call them responders you guys know we call them responders you guys are are are responders um to these explor who are responders um to these explor who are responders um to these explor who are reaching out for help I heard such a reaching out for help I heard such a reaching out for help I heard such a great analogy there to day that in in great analogy there to day that in in great analogy there to day that in in today's culture we we've become so today's culture we we've become so today's culture we we've become so self-reliant on getting information and self-reliant on getting information and self-reliant on getting information and kind of solving problems ourselves and kind of solving problems ourselves and kind of solving problems ourselves and the statement was many people hit to the statement was many people hit to the statement was many people hit to they go to Google they go online and they go to Google they go online and they go to Google they go online and they're searching 411 right to get they're searching 411 right to get they're searching 411 right to get information when really what they need

information when really what they need information when really what they need is is is 911 and and you guys are supplying that 911 and and you guys are supplying that 911 and and you guys are supplying that in in in the pathway and you know it in in in the pathway and you know it in in in the pathway and you know it might be good just for a second because might be good just for a second because might be good just for a second because we got a Communications audience like we got a Communications audience like we got a Communications audience like there's a couple really important there's a couple really important there's a couple really important principles you touched on them first of principles you touched on them first of principles you touched on them first of all this whole thing is not at all meant all this whole thing is not at all meant all this whole thing is not at all meant to replace or supplant or compete with to replace or supplant or compete with to replace or supplant or compete with anything you and your church may be anything you and your church may be anything you and your church may be doing already to Market or to to get the doing already to Market or to to get the doing already to Market or to to get the word out we celebrate that like churches word out we celebrate that like churches word out we celebrate that like churches should absolutely be using every should absolutely be using every should absolutely be using every available Channel and what this is available Channel and what this is available Channel and what this is really doing is a layer on top of that really doing is a layer on top of that really doing is a layer on top of that that's kind of a Cooperative advertising that's kind of a Cooperative advertising that's kind of a Cooperative advertising model you know we we use the analogy of model you know we we use the analogy of model you know we we use the analogy of God milk sometimes to reference how a God milk sometimes to reference how a God milk sometimes to reference how a bunch of Dairy Farmers got together and bunch of Dairy Farmers got together and bunch of Dairy Farmers got together and mounted a campaign way bigger than any mounted a campaign way bigger than any mounted a campaign way bigger than any any one of them could have done and um any one of them could have done and um any one of them could have done and um so in that sense we're putting lines in so in that sense we're putting lines in so in that sense we're putting lines in the water that anyone Church could not the water that anyone Church could not the water that anyone Church could not because we're not advertising anyone because we're not advertising anyone because we're not advertising anyone church it's just this message the church church it's just this message the church church it's just this message the church is care uh you know God loves you you is care uh you know God loves you you is care uh you know God loves you you should explore Jesus whether or not should explore Jesus whether or not should explore Jesus whether or not you've had experience with the church you've had experience with the church you've had experience with the church and we get him connected to you um we and we get him connected to you um we and we get him connected to you um we also are using AI also are using AI also are using AI increasingly um the people that connect increasingly um the people that connect increasingly um the people that connect connected to you Bard and your wife connected to you Bard and your wife connected to you Bard and your wife everything else um what what we've everything else um what what we've everything else um what what we've realized is the biggest factor of them realized is the biggest factor of them realized is the biggest factor of them writing you back is time and and when writing you back is time and and when writing you back is time and and when when we that connection comes in we it's when we that connection comes in we it's when we that connection comes in we it's kind of like a clock is ticking and we kind of like a clock is ticking and we kind of like a clock is ticking and we used to have humans make every single used to have humans make every single used to have humans make every single match you know our average distance is match you know our average distance is match you know our average distance is about 13 miles sounds like a little about 13 miles sounds like a little about 13 miles sounds like a little further in your case sometimes although further in your case sometimes although further in your case sometimes although in the Metroplex 13 miles could be like

in the Metroplex 13 miles could be like in the Metroplex 13 miles could be like yeah 8 to 10 miles is like it's it's a yeah 8 to 10 miles is like it's it's a yeah 8 to 10 miles is like it's it's a it's a completely different world when it's a completely different world when it's a completely different world when you're you're you're yeah so we're we're working on that but yeah so we're we're working on that but yeah so we're we're working on that but man using technology and training these man using technology and training these man using technology and training these models with a large data set now we can models with a large data set now we can models with a large data set now we can get that connection time from like three get that connection time from like three get that connection time from like three hours down to hours down to hours down to milliseconds which really what we're milliseconds which really what we're milliseconds which really what we're trying to do there is just hand you trying to do there is just hand you trying to do there is just hand you those hours back so you have time to get those hours back so you have time to get those hours back so you have time to get in connection with that person and in connection with that person and in connection with that person and that's that's been a really cool that's that's been a really cool that's that's been a really cool powerful way to apply some new powerful way to apply some new powerful way to apply some new technology to solve that problem I will technology to solve that problem I will technology to solve that problem I will let me let me say this my Harding shot let me let me say this my Harding shot let me let me say this my Harding shot on this and then I think I do want us to on this and then I think I do want us to on this and then I think I do want us to talk a little bit about some more Ai and talk a little bit about some more Ai and talk a little bit about some more Ai and some other things that glue is doing but some other things that glue is doing but some other things that glue is doing but will say this the texting platform is if will say this the texting platform is if will say this the texting platform is if because our audience is primarily because our audience is primarily because our audience is primarily Communications uh professionals Communications uh professionals Communications uh professionals Communications volunteers the texting Communications volunteers the texting Communications volunteers the texting platform is an amazing tool for platform is an amazing tool for platform is an amazing tool for communication it's you're communicating communication it's you're communicating communication it's you're communicating to your ring one audience our our our to your ring one audience our our our to your ring one audience our our our listeners know their ring one audience listeners know their ring one audience listeners know their ring one audience you need to be able to effectively you need to be able to effectively you need to be able to effectively communicate to those people in a timely communicate to those people in a timely communicate to those people in a timely manner and so it's great for outbound manner and so it's great for outbound manner and so it's great for outbound for inbound the truth is it's with the for inbound the truth is it's with the for inbound the truth is it's with the Explorers program anyway explorers is Explorers program anyway explorers is Explorers program anyway explorers is not necessarily A Communications tool as not necessarily A Communications tool as not necessarily A Communications tool as much as it is a care and compassion much as it is a care and compassion much as it is a care and compassion Ministry uh tool so you've even in the Ministry uh tool so you've even in the Ministry uh tool so you've even in the context of a church it this is not just context of a church it this is not just context of a church it this is not just a tool for the communications director a tool for the communications director a tool for the communications director or a tool for care and compassion or a tool for care and compassion or a tool for care and compassion Ministries it's really a tool for the Ministries it's really a tool for the Ministries it's really a tool for the church as a whole and figuring out how church as a whole and figuring out how church as a whole and figuring out how each different Ministry can benefit from each different Ministry can benefit from each different Ministry can benefit from the use of glue whether that's inbound the use of glue whether that's inbound the use of glue whether that's inbound or outbound right so crossover is one of

or outbound right so crossover is one of or outbound right so crossover is one of the ad campaigns that that's running a the ad campaigns that that's running a the ad campaigns that that's running a lot and the input inbound that we get lot and the input inbound that we get lot and the input inbound that we get through the crossover campaigns is through the crossover campaigns is through the crossover campaigns is almost always teenagers right it's it's almost always teenagers right it's it's almost always teenagers right it's it's high school students or young adults um high school students or young adults um high school students or young adults um I know it's targeted towards young I know it's targeted towards young I know it's targeted towards young adults I think or at least at least adults I think or at least at least adults I think or at least at least that's my impression but we get a lot of that's my impression but we get a lot of that's my impression but we get a lot of teens a lot of a lot of high school teens a lot of a lot of high school teens a lot of a lot of high school students in crossover so you know again students in crossover so you know again students in crossover so you know again it's really not a communications it's really not a communications it's really not a communications director tool but you got a student director tool but you got a student director tool but you got a student Ministry Pastor student Ministry Ministry Pastor student Ministry Ministry Pastor student Ministry director those crossover campaigns are director those crossover campaigns are director those crossover campaigns are likely or a young adults Pastor likely likely or a young adults Pastor likely likely or a young adults Pastor likely going to connect them with people that going to connect them with people that going to connect them with people that they wouldn't otherwise connect with so they wouldn't otherwise connect with so they wouldn't otherwise connect with so you have to think about it holistically you have to think about it holistically you have to think about it holistically as a as as a whole church tool rather as a as as a whole church tool rather as a as as a whole church tool rather than just one single department or one than just one single department or one than just one single department or one single solution so there's my 10 cents single solution so there's my 10 cents single solution so there's my 10 cents worth there you can bounce back there as worth there you can bounce back there as worth there you can bounce back there as a com director my job is to help our a com director my job is to help our a com director my job is to help our Ministries ministers Ministries connect Ministries ministers Ministries connect Ministries ministers Ministries connect with people if it's not only our people with people if it's not only our people with people if it's not only our people people outside and I I think we'd be people outside and I I think we'd be people outside and I I think we'd be more passionate about going after people more passionate about going after people more passionate about going after people who are not yet a part of the body and who are not yet a part of the body and who are not yet a part of the body and so that that to me I just I get excited so that that to me I just I get excited so that that to me I just I get excited about that so I think you said it best about that so I think you said it best about that so I think you said it best where this isn't supposed to replace where this isn't supposed to replace where this isn't supposed to replace it's in addition it's in addition it's in addition too and and that's that's the mindset too and and that's that's the mindset too and and that's that's the mindset that we have to have there's lots of that we have to have there's lots of that we have to have there's lots of tools in our tool bags in in our tool tools in our tool bags in in our tool tools in our tool bags in in our tool bag and being able to pull out those bag and being able to pull out those bag and being able to pull out those different tools and those different kind different tools and those different kind different tools and those different kind of ideas and settings is really the key of ideas and settings is really the key of ideas and settings is really the key to that so you you really want to to that so you you really want to to that so you you really want to investigate this but let's move on investigate this but let's move on investigate this but let's move on because I really want to do talk a because I really want to do talk a because I really want to do talk a little B about Ai and how you guys are

little B about Ai and how you guys are little B about Ai and how you guys are using AI to enhance enhance probably not using AI to enhance enhance probably not using AI to enhance enhance probably not replace but enhance and you said kind of replace but enhance and you said kind of replace but enhance and you said kind of speed up things tell us what's on the speed up things tell us what's on the speed up things tell us what's on the latest and latest and latest and greatest well I think I mean AI is such greatest well I think I mean AI is such greatest well I think I mean AI is such a fascinating subject in general right a fascinating subject in general right a fascinating subject in general right we were talking earlier like any of us we were talking earlier like any of us we were talking earlier like any of us going out to conferences or events it's going out to conferences or events it's going out to conferences or events it's it's typically one to three questions in it's typically one to three questions in it's typically one to three questions in someone's asking about it we are on our someone's asking about it we are on our someone's asking about it we are on our minds there's a lot of great research minds there's a lot of great research minds there's a lot of great research coming out you know we've been working coming out you know we've been working coming out you know we've been working closely with the Barna group uh doing closely with the Barna group uh doing closely with the Barna group uh doing some monthly research lately on pastors some monthly research lately on pastors some monthly research lately on pastors and churches in AI U and just really and churches in AI U and just really and churches in AI U and just really interesting sentiments also some interesting sentiments also some interesting sentiments also some hesitation trepidation coming back right hesitation trepidation coming back right hesitation trepidation coming back right um and I would I would uh there's so um and I would I would uh there's so um and I would I would uh there's so much to say and and before we're done much to say and and before we're done much to say and and before we're done guys we can share a couple resources guys we can share a couple resources guys we can share a couple resources where we've tried to put out a lot of where we've tried to put out a lot of where we've tried to put out a lot of just helpful info that's freely just helpful info that's freely just helpful info that's freely available uh we actually just recently available uh we actually just recently available uh we actually just recently did a kind of a primer on everything you did a kind of a primer on everything you did a kind of a primer on everything you need to know about AI for the the need to know about AI for the the need to know about AI for the the initiated all the way into those who initiated all the way into those who initiated all the way into those who like to nerd out on terms like AGI and like to nerd out on terms like AGI and like to nerd out on terms like AGI and llms and you know we've got a little bit llms and you know we've got a little bit llms and you know we've got a little bit more on that but you know what you're more on that but you know what you're more on that but you know what you're seeing I think right now is it's it's seeing I think right now is it's it's seeing I think right now is it's it's we're moving right now it's early 2024 we're moving right now it's early 2024 we're moving right now it's early 2024 we're moving from kind of this we're moving from kind of this we're moving from kind of this Fascination shiny object stage into like Fascination shiny object stage into like Fascination shiny object stage into like maybe I should look at this maybe maybe I should look at this maybe maybe I should look at this maybe there's some useful ways but also like there's some useful ways but also like there's some useful ways but also like maybe I should be thoughtful about how I maybe I should be thoughtful about how I maybe I should be thoughtful about how I do that so leaders I think more and more do that so leaders I think more and more do that so leaders I think more and more are really kind of digging below the

are really kind of digging below the are really kind of digging below the surface right now and and looking at you surface right now and and looking at you surface right now and and looking at you know asking the should I question um not know asking the should I question um not know asking the should I question um not just like what could I do I think most just like what could I do I think most just like what could I do I think most of us have probably by now seen some of us have probably by now seen some of us have probably by now seen some gwiz experiments with chot GPT or mid gwiz experiments with chot GPT or mid gwiz experiments with chot GPT or mid Journey or Bard and it's cool I mean Journey or Bard and it's cool I mean Journey or Bard and it's cool I mean there's like it'll blow your mind but there's like it'll blow your mind but there's like it'll blow your mind but then you're getting into like what then you're getting into like what then you're getting into like what should I do so at glue what we're we're should I do so at glue what we're we're should I do so at glue what we're we're simultaneously kind of using the tech I simultaneously kind of using the tech I simultaneously kind of using the tech I just mentioned an example like on the just mentioned an example like on the just mentioned an example like on the Explorer piece and we have others but Explorer piece and we have others but Explorer piece and we have others but we're also um even more so trying to we're also um even more so trying to we're also um even more so trying to really help leaders navigate through the really help leaders navigate through the really help leaders navigate through the conversation in a meaningful way um that conversation in a meaningful way um that conversation in a meaningful way um that doesn't come from a pro- AI or an doesn't come from a pro- AI or an doesn't come from a pro- AI or an against AI standpoint necessarily but against AI standpoint necessarily but against AI standpoint necessarily but for us it does come from a vantage point for us it does come from a vantage point for us it does come from a vantage point of all of all of all technology is something that God has technology is something that God has technology is something that God has allowed to come into creation and we allowed to come into creation and we allowed to come into creation and we know that the rest of culture is already know that the rest of culture is already know that the rest of culture is already using AI is exploring its its using AI is exploring its its using AI is exploring its its applications and use cases and so we applications and use cases and so we applications and use cases and so we don't believe that there's a choice for don't believe that there's a choice for don't believe that there's a choice for the church to decide whether we're going the church to decide whether we're going the church to decide whether we're going to embrace new technology we want to do to embrace new technology we want to do to embrace new technology we want to do it thoughtfully but we our our statement it thoughtfully but we our our statement it thoughtfully but we our our statement is we believe there's actually a moral is we believe there's actually a moral is we believe there's actually a moral imperative for church leaders comms imperative for church leaders comms imperative for church leaders comms leaders every Persona to think well leaders every Persona to think well leaders every Persona to think well about how to use this technology about how to use this technology about how to use this technology redemptively when the rest of our redemptively when the rest of our redemptively when the rest of our culture is going to be using it for culture is going to be using it for culture is going to be using it for cultural things right so so we think cultural things right so so we think cultural things right so so we think it's a good it's an important it's a good it's an important it's a good it's an important conversation and right now it's AI is conversation and right now it's AI is conversation and right now it's AI is the object I think you know you guys may

the object I think you know you guys may the object I think you know you guys may agree we're probably moving quickly agree we're probably moving quickly agree we're probably moving quickly toward a day where AI just kind of is toward a day where AI just kind of is toward a day where AI just kind of is there yeah like the internet we don't there yeah like the internet we don't there yeah like the internet we don't really think about the internet too much really think about the internet too much really think about the internet too much anymore um you know but I think I think anymore um you know but I think I think anymore um you know but I think I think there's some important patterns right there's some important patterns right there's some important patterns right now that we need to contemplate uh to do now that we need to contemplate uh to do now that we need to contemplate uh to do this well well I'll add to that because this well well I'll add to that because this well well I'll add to that because I I agree and um the good news is we're I I agree and um the good news is we're I I agree and um the good news is we're still and David says this on our team still and David says this on our team still and David says this on our team we're in the Wild Wild West it's still we're in the Wild Wild West it's still we're in the Wild Wild West it's still changing rapidly um so that's either changing rapidly um so that's either changing rapidly um so that's either good news or bad news for pastors the good news or bad news for pastors the good news or bad news for pastors the good news is you're not going to be too good news is you're not going to be too good news is you're not going to be too far behind if you want to catch up far behind if you want to catch up far behind if you want to catch up because if you try to go back from a because if you try to go back from a because if you try to go back from a year or so we're so far beyond that but year or so we're so far beyond that but year or so we're so far beyond that but yeah if you if you just hop into the yeah if you if you just hop into the yeah if you if you just hop into the stream now you can kind of catch up stream now you can kind of catch up stream now you can kind of catch up fairly quickly but it's constantly fairly quickly but it's constantly fairly quickly but it's constantly changing and that would be the the bad changing and that would be the the bad changing and that would be the the bad news if you choose to ignore it that'd news if you choose to ignore it that'd news if you choose to ignore it that'd be like saying well I don't want to use be like saying well I don't want to use be like saying well I don't want to use this thing called the internet we don't this thing called the internet we don't this thing called the internet we don't need to go online need to go online need to go online well okay but uh that's where a lot of well okay but uh that's where a lot of well okay but uh that's where a lot of the mission field is so I think the mission field is so I think the mission field is so I think embracing that I think and using it for embracing that I think and using it for embracing that I think and using it for good not for evil is is the key there good not for evil is is the key there good not for evil is is the key there and balancing that and educating your and balancing that and educating your and balancing that and educating your your congregation about it as well it's your congregation about it as well it's your congregation about it as well it's I think it's a responsibility us as I think it's a responsibility us as I think it's a responsibility us as pastors to be able to know what the pastors to be able to know what the pastors to be able to know what the Bible has to say about this and how do Bible has to say about this and how do Bible has to say about this and how do we balance that and how do we how do we we balance that and how do we how do we we balance that and how do we how do we educate well and um you know use educate well and um you know use educate well and um you know use starting it to use it um in our staffs starting it to use it um in our staffs starting it to use it um in our staffs is really key I know you guys are are is really key I know you guys are are is really key I know you guys are are are pushing that we're pushing that here are pushing that we're pushing that here are pushing that we're pushing that here as well as a bunch of other great as well as a bunch of other great as well as a bunch of other great companies who are ke om minded are all companies who are ke om minded are all companies who are ke om minded are all in on this thing called the AI and help

in on this thing called the AI and help in on this thing called the AI and help and helping uh utilize that for for good and helping uh utilize that for for good and helping uh utilize that for for good um so I would encourage pastors just um so I would encourage pastors just um so I would encourage pastors just keep tapping in keep listening in right keep tapping in keep listening in right keep tapping in keep listening in right and keep paying attention and keep paying attention and keep paying attention to Great solid companies like glue that to Great solid companies like glue that to Great solid companies like glue that are that have the the have Jesus in the are that have the the have Jesus in the are that have the the have Jesus in the on the on the the Forefront and the on the on the the Forefront and the on the on the the Forefront and the focus and what his role is here and what focus and what his role is here and what focus and what his role is here and what he wants us to do that's kind of what he wants us to do that's kind of what he wants us to do that's kind of what where you're going with it right and I where you're going with it right and I where you're going with it right and I think you know to me AI is a how um it's think you know to me AI is a how um it's think you know to me AI is a how um it's it's a super powerful accelerant to so it's a super powerful accelerant to so it's a super powerful accelerant to so many jobs we talked to pastors all the many jobs we talked to pastors all the many jobs we talked to pastors all the time and you know if I hear one thing time and you know if I hear one thing time and you know if I hear one thing it's it's honestly like don't give me it's it's honestly like don't give me it's it's honestly like don't give me one more thing to do like I am already one more thing to do like I am already one more thing to do like I am already full up I've got a lot on my plate um full up I've got a lot on my plate um full up I've got a lot on my plate um and so I think what's helpful sometimes and so I think what's helpful sometimes and so I think what's helpful sometimes is to think about what are the things is to think about what are the things is to think about what are the things you're most trying to get done and you're most trying to get done and you're most trying to get done and accomplish whether it's reaching more accomplish whether it's reaching more accomplish whether it's reaching more people better engaging the folks I have people better engaging the folks I have people better engaging the folks I have dealing with volunteer retention like dealing with volunteer retention like dealing with volunteer retention like all those things that kind of are the all those things that kind of are the all those things that kind of are the keep us up at night issues there's there keep us up at night issues there's there keep us up at night issues there's there are either new or emerging ways that AI are either new or emerging ways that AI are either new or emerging ways that AI could help in that job um even even like could help in that job um even even like could help in that job um even even like repurposing your sermon uh talked to repurposing your sermon uh talked to repurposing your sermon uh talked to several pastors last week her like you several pastors last week her like you several pastors last week her like you know what if I'm honest I preach on know what if I'm honest I preach on know what if I'm honest I preach on Sunday and yeah we put it up on our Sunday and yeah we put it up on our Sunday and yeah we put it up on our website on YouTube but I I feel like all website on YouTube but I I feel like all website on YouTube but I I feel like all that work I invested in that sermon kind that work I invested in that sermon kind that work I invested in that sermon kind of dies a slow death oh yeah of dies a slow death oh yeah of dies a slow death oh yeah um there's a lot of ways to use Ai and um there's a lot of ways to use Ai and um there's a lot of ways to use Ai and also a combination of AI and smart

also a combination of AI and smart also a combination of AI and smart people sitting in chairs to repurpose people sitting in chairs to repurpose people sitting in chairs to repurpose that content to to make it go further um that content to to make it go further um that content to to make it go further um so so that's you know let let not your so so that's you know let let not your so so that's you know let let not your heart be troubled right about having to heart be troubled right about having to heart be troubled right about having to become an AI expert I think it's more become an AI expert I think it's more become an AI expert I think it's more just like it's a great tool to help you just like it's a great tool to help you just like it's a great tool to help you do the things you're already trying to do the things you're already trying to do the things you're already trying to do I think I think one of the things do I think I think one of the things do I think I think one of the things that makes people wary is this idea that that makes people wary is this idea that that makes people wary is this idea that the artificial intelligence tools are the artificial intelligence tools are the artificial intelligence tools are going to create some sort of content going to create some sort of content going to create some sort of content that once it gets out of the bag uh it's that once it gets out of the bag uh it's that once it gets out of the bag uh it's fraudulent or it is inconsistent or it fraudulent or it is inconsistent or it fraudulent or it is inconsistent or it isn't what we thought it was going to be isn't what we thought it was going to be isn't what we thought it was going to be and I think one of the things that's and I think one of the things that's and I think one of the things that's really important especially when it really important especially when it really important especially when it comes to repurposing sermon content comes to repurposing sermon content comes to repurposing sermon content because that this is a song that Jason because that this is a song that Jason because that this is a song that Jason and I seeing constantly and we've got AI and I seeing constantly and we've got AI and I seeing constantly and we've got AI tools and things that we're teaching tools and things that we're teaching tools and things that we're teaching people to use in order to do that um the people to use in order to do that um the people to use in order to do that um the AI is only as good as the person who is AI is only as good as the person who is AI is only as good as the person who is working with the AI tool um I can't working with the AI tool um I can't working with the AI tool um I can't start up my lawn mower and just leave it start up my lawn mower and just leave it start up my lawn mower and just leave it in the yard and expect it to just it's in the yard and expect it to just it's in the yard and expect it to just it's got an auto setting I could you know I got an auto setting I could you know I got an auto setting I could you know I could clamp down the the the handle and could clamp down the the the handle and could clamp down the the the handle and just let it run but if I'm not there to just let it run but if I'm not there to just let it run but if I'm not there to walk the lawn mower through the yard walk the lawn mower through the yard walk the lawn mower through the yard it's never going to do the job that I it's never going to do the job that I it's never going to do the job that I want it to do the way I want it done the want it to do the way I want it done the want it to do the way I want it done the same thing is true with Gemini Bard same thing is true with Gemini Bard same thing is true with Gemini Bard Claude chat GPT whatever you're using Claude chat GPT whatever you're using Claude chat GPT whatever you're using you as the user have to be really you as the user have to be really you as the user have to be really explicit it about what you want it to do explicit it about what you want it to do explicit it about what you want it to do and then also editing the work or

and then also editing the work or and then also editing the work or auditing the work to make sure that it's auditing the work to make sure that it's auditing the work to make sure that it's giving you the results that you want giving you the results that you want giving you the results that you want from it um let me ask you a question from it um let me ask you a question from it um let me ask you a question Brad when it comes to these AI platforms Brad when it comes to these AI platforms Brad when it comes to these AI platforms things that you see emerging things that things that you see emerging things that things that you see emerging things that you see you know on the horizon or you see you know on the horizon or you see you know on the horizon or things that we have accessibility to things that we have accessibility to things that we have accessibility to right now what are some things that you right now what are some things that you right now what are some things that you see churches doing um how they've gotten see churches doing um how they've gotten see churches doing um how they've gotten on board or utilizing tools that have on board or utilizing tools that have on board or utilizing tools that have made it um that simplifying or made it um that simplifying or made it um that simplifying or economizing their economizing their economizing their workload yeah well I think um we we workload yeah well I think um we we workload yeah well I think um we we we've sort of started to look at this as we've sort of started to look at this as we've sort of started to look at this as a maybe a threea play maybe it's going a maybe a threea play maybe it's going a maybe a threea play maybe it's going to be an eight act play but um we we are to be an eight act play but um we we are to be an eight act play but um we we are and have been in a stage recently with and have been in a stage recently with and have been in a stage recently with generative AI where we're seeing it get generative AI where we're seeing it get generative AI where we're seeing it get applied to what I'll call administrative applied to what I'll call administrative applied to what I'll call administrative tasks so it could be um you know tasks so it could be um you know tasks so it could be um you know analyzing a a large body of tax you know analyzing a a large body of tax you know analyzing a a large body of tax you know go through all of RC sproul's sermons or go through all of RC sproul's sermons or go through all of RC sproul's sermons or let me let me find the right Bon hoofer let me let me find the right Bon hoofer let me let me find the right Bon hoofer quote that applies to this situation quote that applies to this situation quote that applies to this situation like AI is great for that it's generally like AI is great for that it's generally like AI is great for that it's generally good at synthesizing large bodies of good at synthesizing large bodies of good at synthesizing large bodies of content or maybe super practical like content or maybe super practical like content or maybe super practical like here's the weather almanac from the last here's the weather almanac from the last here's the weather almanac from the last five years what based on that what might five years what based on that what might five years what based on that what might we we be thinking about in terms of we we be thinking about in terms of we we be thinking about in terms of planning around weather percentages for planning around weather percentages for planning around weather percentages for this coming fall season in our church this coming fall season in our church this coming fall season in our church you know a lot of administrative things you know a lot of administrative things you know a lot of administrative things even volunteer scheduling and the like even volunteer scheduling and the like even volunteer scheduling and the like um and I I would gently put repurposing

um and I I would gently put repurposing um and I I would gently put repurposing sermon content a little bit in that sermon content a little bit in that sermon content a little bit in that bucket I think there's a little more bucket I think there's a little more bucket I think there's a little more judgment to that often but that's judgment to that often but that's judgment to that often but that's something that probably many churches something that probably many churches something that probably many churches have people doing today that takes 10 15 have people doing today that takes 10 15 have people doing today that takes 10 15 20 hours a week and at at minimum we 20 hours a week and at at minimum we 20 hours a week and at at minimum we could speed that up with AI tools so could speed that up with AI tools so could speed that up with AI tools so that that's kind of like been the the that that's kind of like been the the that that's kind of like been the the state you know a great tool for example state you know a great tool for example state you know a great tool for example we use a lot church. we use a lot church. we use a lot church. is out there and does a phenomenal job is out there and does a phenomenal job is out there and does a phenomenal job upload a sermon and it'll give you Bible upload a sermon and it'll give you Bible upload a sermon and it'll give you Bible studies and small group discussions and studies and small group discussions and studies and small group discussions and social posts and the like um I think I social posts and the like um I think I social posts and the like um I think I think next we we see AI starting to come think next we we see AI starting to come think next we we see AI starting to come on the scene helping discipleship and on the scene helping discipleship and on the scene helping discipleship and growth patterns so if I'm an individual growth patterns so if I'm an individual growth patterns so if I'm an individual and I have a desire or I have a goal in and I have a desire or I have a goal in and I have a desire or I have a goal in my life I could set that goal and AI my life I could set that goal and AI my life I could set that goal and AI could then set a plan for Me Maybe could then set a plan for Me Maybe could then set a plan for Me Maybe nurture me through it keep me nurture me through it keep me nurture me through it keep me accountable accountable accountable be a little bit of a you know little be a little bit of a you know little be a little bit of a you know little virtual assistant sparring partner virtual assistant sparring partner virtual assistant sparring partner whatever and you're seeing some apps whatever and you're seeing some apps whatever and you're seeing some apps begin to emerge that have that little begin to emerge that have that little begin to emerge that have that little bit of like hey you've you've set a goal bit of like hey you've you've set a goal bit of like hey you've you've set a goal and we're going to help you create the and we're going to help you create the and we're going to help you create the steps and the conditions to succeed steps and the conditions to succeed steps and the conditions to succeed which I think is super interesting for which I think is super interesting for which I think is super interesting for us again in a discipling context uh so us again in a discipling context uh so us again in a discipling context uh so many pastors think about scale and how many pastors think about scale and how many pastors think about scale and how could I possibly could I possibly could I possibly personalize what I'm doing because I personalize what I'm doing because I personalize what I'm doing because I preach to the masses on Sunday but how preach to the masses on Sunday but how preach to the masses on Sunday but how could I get to like Jason or how could I could I get to like Jason or how could I could I get to like Jason or how could I get to Bart you know individually I mean get to Bart you know individually I mean get to Bart you know individually I mean in a sense AI lets us like infinitely in a sense AI lets us like infinitely in a sense AI lets us like infinitely personalize at infinite

personalize at infinite personalize at infinite scale um but the third part and this is scale um but the third part and this is scale um but the third part and this is the risk is you said it's only as good the risk is you said it's only as good the risk is you said it's only as good as the person using it which I I agree as the person using it which I I agree as the person using it which I I agree with like the prompts but I would I with like the prompts but I would I with like the prompts but I would I would maybe add it's also somewhat would maybe add it's also somewhat would maybe add it's also somewhat beholden to what it's trained on like beholden to what it's trained on like beholden to what it's trained on like the underlying large language model the underlying large language model the underlying large language model right and the engine in under the hood right and the engine in under the hood right and the engine in under the hood and um obviously today we're working and um obviously today we're working and um obviously today we're working with effectively General market llms with effectively General market llms with effectively General market llms that we can argue about you know that we can argue about you know that we can argue about you know Doctrine and Theology and what's trained Doctrine and Theology and what's trained Doctrine and Theology and what's trained but I I think we're very interested in but I I think we're very interested in but I I think we're very interested in the need and the opportunity to have the need and the opportunity to have the need and the opportunity to have more of a Christian or Christian aligned more of a Christian or Christian aligned more of a Christian or Christian aligned llm that I think could inform a lot of llm that I think could inform a lot of llm that I think could inform a lot of the tools that are and are yet to come the tools that are and are yet to come the tools that are and are yet to come so you know when you get to that point so you know when you get to that point so you know when you get to that point you get to get into real you know ways you get to get into real you know ways you get to get into real you know ways to process decisions and judgment to to process decisions and judgment to to process decisions and judgment to some extent um in ways that we wouldn't some extent um in ways that we wouldn't some extent um in ways that we wouldn't trust maybe chat gbt today um to like trust maybe chat gbt today um to like trust maybe chat gbt today um to like write my whole sermon because it may write my whole sermon because it may write my whole sermon because it may come up with something heretical so yeah come up with something heretical so yeah come up with something heretical so yeah that that's something we we see on the that that's something we we see on the that that's something we we see on the horizon yes but I will say if you do horizon yes but I will say if you do horizon yes but I will say if you do prompt chat GPT to write you a sermon prompt chat GPT to write you a sermon prompt chat GPT to write you a sermon and it comes up with something that's and it comes up with something that's and it comes up with something that's heretical you as a pastor are heretical you as a pastor are heretical you as a pastor are responsible of weeding that out before responsible of weeding that out before responsible of weeding that out before you deliver it like so at end of the day you deliver it like so at end of the day you deliver it like so at end of the day yes like we with this recent Road show yes like we with this recent Road show yes like we with this recent Road show that Jason and I were at I remember a that Jason and I were at I remember a that Jason and I were at I remember a gal uh talking about the fact that she gal uh talking about the fact that she gal uh talking about the fact that she was trying to use I can't remember which

was trying to use I can't remember which was trying to use I can't remember which tool it was to write copy for some tool it was to write copy for some tool it was to write copy for some social media posts and she immediately social media posts and she immediately social media posts and she immediately saw some bias in it that was probably saw some bias in it that was probably saw some bias in it that was probably heretical or close to heretical right heretical or close to heretical right heretical or close to heretical right and I said well the way to get around and I said well the way to get around and I said well the way to get around that is by being much more clear with that is by being much more clear with that is by being much more clear with your prompts and asking the generative your prompts and asking the generative your prompts and asking the generative tool to ask you clarifying questions tool to ask you clarifying questions tool to ask you clarifying questions before it actually even responds so you before it actually even responds so you before it actually even responds so you have to really give it a lot more detail have to really give it a lot more detail have to really give it a lot more detail about what you're looking for in order about what you're looking for in order about what you're looking for in order to get the results that you're looking to get the results that you're looking to get the results that you're looking for and I think that's the mistake that for and I think that's the mistake that for and I think that's the mistake that a lot of people make is they'll just a lot of people make is they'll just a lot of people make is they'll just type one or two sentences in and then type one or two sentences in and then type one or two sentences in and then this is what I got and that's not enough this is what I got and that's not enough this is what I got and that's not enough you have to really learn how to use the you have to really learn how to use the you have to really learn how to use the tool effectively to actually get the pro tool effectively to actually get the pro tool effectively to actually get the pro results that you're looking for and I've results that you're looking for and I've results that you're looking for and I've played around enough to know that you played around enough to know that you played around enough to know that you know it it the better you the more you know it it the better you the more you know it it the better you the more you practice in the tool your better you're practice in the tool your better you're practice in the tool your better you're going to get at it as well no you're going to get at it as well no you're going to get at it as well no you're spot on and yeah it turns out you still spot on and yeah it turns out you still spot on and yeah it turns out you still have to do some work here right you got have to do some work here right you got have to do some work here right you got to work on the input and then the output to work on the input and then the output to work on the input and then the output might get you 80% there but you need to might get you 80% there but you need to might get you 80% there but you need to check and you know really review it check and you know really review it check and you know really review it because you're right it's you're you're because you're right it's you're you're because you're right it's you're you're responsible at the end of the the end of responsible at the end of the the end of responsible at the end of the the end of the whole story well that 80% shaves 80% the whole story well that 80% shaves 80% the whole story well that 80% shaves 80% of your time off it's worth it that's of your time off it's worth it that's of your time off it's worth it that's the whole the whole point of that I'll the whole the whole point of that I'll the whole the whole point of that I'll tell you guys one other quick practical tell you guys one other quick practical tell you guys one other quick practical thing this is a true story just from My thing this is a true story just from My thing this is a true story just from My Life um your congregations right now are Life um your congregations right now are Life um your congregations right now are also really navigating SL struggling also really navigating SL struggling also really navigating SL struggling with how AI applies in their life y for

with how AI applies in their life y for with how AI applies in their life y for my wife and I we've got high school kids my wife and I we've got high school kids my wife and I we've got high school kids and as parents we were confronted with and as parents we were confronted with and as parents we were confronted with you know I didn't see that coming uh we you know I didn't see that coming uh we you know I didn't see that coming uh we have a teacher that accused one of our have a teacher that accused one of our have a teacher that accused one of our kids of cheating at school with AI like kids of cheating at school with AI like kids of cheating at school with AI like multiple times and you know we're we're multiple times and you know we're we're multiple times and you know we're we're like in in partnering with the teacher like in in partnering with the teacher like in in partnering with the teacher that's that's our mindset so we're not that's that's our mindset so we're not that's that's our mindset so we're not going to rush and just helicopter in but going to rush and just helicopter in but going to rush and just helicopter in but we were we were really kind of at um a we were we were really kind of at um a we were we were really kind of at um a Crossroads as parents like what do we do Crossroads as parents like what do we do Crossroads as parents like what do we do um who who do we trust how do we check um who who do we trust how do we check um who who do we trust how do we check what our child's doing and you know what what our child's doing and you know what what our child's doing and you know what should and should not be allowed um we should and should not be allowed um we should and should not be allowed um we we said to each other at one point I we said to each other at one point I we said to each other at one point I don't know why we came up with this but don't know why we came up with this but don't know why we came up with this but like man it would be great if someone in like man it would be great if someone in like man it would be great if someone in our church and our small group have been our church and our small group have been our church and our small group have been through this or could help us navigate through this or could help us navigate through this or could help us navigate this as parents par um and I think as a this as parents par um and I think as a this as parents par um and I think as a pastor you know this is something our pastor you know this is something our pastor you know this is something our research with Barna is showing again and research with Barna is showing again and research with Barna is showing again and again people are not expecting you to be again people are not expecting you to be again people are not expecting you to be like an AI Wizard and understand the like an AI Wizard and understand the like an AI Wizard and understand the technology deeply or for that matter if technology deeply or for that matter if technology deeply or for that matter if you're a comms director marketing same you're a comms director marketing same you're a comms director marketing same thing however I do think there's a thing however I do think there's a thing however I do think there's a really good opportunity for us to really good opportunity for us to really good opportunity for us to Shepherd our people teach Shepherd our people teach Shepherd our people teach discernment and and just give folks discernment and and just give folks discernment and and just give folks tools or good questions to navigate real tools or good questions to navigate real tools or good questions to navigate real life experiences because AI this wasn't life experiences because AI this wasn't life experiences because AI this wasn't on my bingo card a year ago is to have on my bingo card a year ago is to have on my bingo card a year ago is to have you know a student accused of cheating you know a student accused of cheating you know a student accused of cheating by the way we verified looked at her by the way we verified looked at her by the way we verified looked at her laptop she really wrote the paper she laptop she really wrote the paper she laptop she really wrote the paper she did it did it did it herself but um but yeah she she's just

herself but um but yeah she she's just herself but um but yeah she she's just so intelligent it looked artificial I so intelligent it looked artificial I so intelligent it looked artificial I guess I don't know I know how that works guess I don't know I know how that works guess I don't know I know how that works I guess but um yeah wow so that was you I guess but um yeah wow so that was you I guess but um yeah wow so that was you know we're like hey maybe as as the know we're like hey maybe as as the know we're like hey maybe as as the future unfolds here the church could be future unfolds here the church could be future unfolds here the church could be a place that really equips us to a place that really equips us to a place that really equips us to navigate this on our own lives not just navigate this on our own lives not just navigate this on our own lives not just like using it in the business of church like using it in the business of church like using it in the business of church yeah good stuff wow I re I recently yeah good stuff wow I re I recently yeah good stuff wow I re I recently wrote some stuff that uh I ran through wrote some stuff that uh I ran through wrote some stuff that uh I ran through grammarly for a um a plagiarism check grammarly for a um a plagiarism check grammarly for a um a plagiarism check and it accused me of plagiarizing all and it accused me of plagiarizing all and it accused me of plagiarizing all kinds of stuff about 99% of it was the kinds of stuff about 99% of it was the kinds of stuff about 99% of it was the scriptures that I Ed from the Bible were scriptures that I Ed from the Bible were scriptures that I Ed from the Bible were all considered to be plagiarized but all considered to be plagiarized but all considered to be plagiarized but that was okay because that's that was that was okay because that's that was that was okay because that's that was exactly the point I'm plagiarizing God's exactly the point I'm plagiarizing God's exactly the point I'm plagiarizing God's word by repurposing God's word into word by repurposing God's word into word by repurposing God's word into other things that I'm writing so yeah so other things that I'm writing so yeah so other things that I'm writing so yeah so we still got some work to do on the AI we still got some work to do on the AI we still got some work to do on the AI is what you're saying yeah is what you're saying yeah is what you're saying yeah we better we better Land This Plane this we better we better Land This Plane this we better we better Land This Plane this is a great conversation um Brad you know is a great conversation um Brad you know is a great conversation um Brad you know where do you kind of get inspiration where do you kind of get inspiration where do you kind of get inspiration from who who do you tune into who who from who who do you tune into who who from who who do you tune into who who influences you well I think you know I influences you well I think you know I influences you well I think you know I talked about my three circles earlier talked about my three circles earlier talked about my three circles earlier right so I try to balance a lot of my right so I try to balance a lot of my right so I try to balance a lot of my intake with you know business podcasts intake with you know business podcasts intake with you know business podcasts and books and Leadership Ministry Etc um and books and Leadership Ministry Etc um and books and Leadership Ministry Etc um I actually love what you guys are doing I actually love what you guys are doing I actually love what you guys are doing here there's some great Facebook here there's some great Facebook here there's some great Facebook communities and other online communities communities and other online communities communities and other online communities that are out there that are really good that are out there that are really good that are out there that are really good peer-to-peer peer-to-peer peer-to-peer um I you know I love keeping up with um I you know I love keeping up with um I you know I love keeping up with Innovation as well right I I I always Innovation as well right I I I always Innovation as well right I I I always like I hope until I die I'm gonna stay

like I hope until I die I'm gonna stay like I hope until I die I'm gonna stay curious right so I'm always trying to curious right so I'm always trying to curious right so I'm always trying to learn new things I'm a big EV nut so I learn new things I'm a big EV nut so I learn new things I'm a big EV nut so I listen to podcasts on Tesla and Elon listen to podcasts on Tesla and Elon listen to podcasts on Tesla and Elon Musk just in the same breath as I'll Musk just in the same breath as I'll Musk just in the same breath as I'll listen to sermons or whatever so I I listen to sermons or whatever so I I listen to sermons or whatever so I I like the idea of being a well-rounded like the idea of being a well-rounded like the idea of being a well-rounded leader um leader um leader um and uh learning and I have I have a and uh learning and I have I have a and uh learning and I have I have a routine too every quarter as I keep routine too every quarter as I keep routine too every quarter as I keep notes on things and keep what I call notes on things and keep what I call notes on things and keep what I call impact ideas I revisit those so just impact ideas I revisit those so just impact ideas I revisit those so just just this past Sunday I went back and just this past Sunday I went back and just this past Sunday I went back and kind of spent a few hours just relooking kind of spent a few hours just relooking kind of spent a few hours just relooking at the highlights and the things I had at the highlights and the things I had at the highlights and the things I had noted from and I was like relearning noted from and I was like relearning noted from and I was like relearning lessons all over again so that's been a lessons all over again so that's been a lessons all over again so that's been a good practice that's helped me good practice that's helped me good practice that's helped me out fantastic all out fantastic all out fantastic all right well Brad we really appreciate you right well Brad we really appreciate you right well Brad we really appreciate you hanging out with us uh it's been super hanging out with us uh it's been super hanging out with us uh it's been super super interesting conversation um if super interesting conversation um if super interesting conversation um if people want to know more about glue want people want to know more about glue want people want to know more about glue want to connect with you in some way where to connect with you in some way where to connect with you in some way where should we direct people to do that any should we direct people to do that any should we direct people to do that any any specific places well since we uh any specific places well since we uh any specific places well since we uh since we talked about AI a good bit guys since we talked about AI a good bit guys since we talked about AI a good bit guys I would probably go ahead and direct I would probably go ahead and direct I would probably go ahead and direct people to our website glue and that's G people to our website glue and that's G people to our website glue and that's G uh for those who may not know glue.

uh for those who may not know glue. uh for those who may not know glue. usai and that's a public spot where usai and that's a public spot where usai and that's a public spot where we've got um a lot of good resources out we've got um a lot of good resources out we've got um a lot of good resources out there and incidental if if you're there and incidental if if you're there and incidental if if you're representing a church that doesn't yet representing a church that doesn't yet representing a church that doesn't yet have a glue account from that page you have a glue account from that page you have a glue account from that page you can click and create one real quick and can click and create one real quick and can click and create one real quick and that's going to unlock an incredible that's going to unlock an incredible that's going to unlock an incredible amount of resources for you not the amount of resources for you not the amount of resources for you not the least of which is the the texting we least of which is the the texting we least of which is the the texting we talked about but glue is really becoming talked about but glue is really becoming talked about but glue is really becoming something of an Amazon for the church so something of an Amazon for the church so something of an Amazon for the church so we have a Marketplace we have a number we have a Marketplace we have a number we have a Marketplace we have a number uh well over 150 different Ministries uh well over 150 different Ministries uh well over 150 different Ministries that are supplying things they want to that are supplying things they want to that are supplying things they want to get in your hands so if you go to that get in your hands so if you go to that get in your hands so if you go to that glue. usai glue. usai glue. usai you can nerd out on AI for a minute but you can nerd out on AI for a minute but you can nerd out on AI for a minute but then you can create an account and use then you can create an account and use then you can create an account and use everything else we've got for you there everything else we've got for you there everything else we've got for you there that's a new one the am Amazon for that's a new one the am Amazon for that's a new one the am Amazon for churches like i' I've noticed when I go churches like i' I've noticed when I go churches like i' I've noticed when I go to my glue account that there's more and to my glue account that there's more and to my glue account that there's more and more resources and things available all more resources and things available all more resources and things available all the time but I didn't know that you were the time but I didn't know that you were the time but I didn't know that you were aiming to be the Amazon for churches so aiming to be the Amazon for churches so aiming to be the Amazon for churches so that's pretty cool it's hard to find that's pretty cool it's hard to find that's pretty cool it's hard to find everything that's out there right so everything that's out there right so everything that's out there right so we're once again you know with with all we're once again you know with with all we're once again you know with with all these churches and one spot we're these churches and one spot we're these churches and one spot we're finding a lot of creators of things feel finding a lot of creators of things feel finding a lot of creators of things feel like it's important to be on this like it's important to be on this like it's important to be on this platform so you're only going to see platform so you're only going to see platform so you're only going to see that hopefully growing over time in the that hopefully growing over time in the that hopefully growing over time in the next year or two Bart wonderful well next year or two Bart wonderful well next year or two Bart wonderful well thank thanks so much again Brad we we've thank thanks so much again Brad we we've thank thanks so much again Brad we we've been glue fans uh for a long time uh and been glue fans uh for a long time uh and been glue fans uh for a long time uh and it's been fun for us to watch sort of it's been fun for us to watch sort of it's been fun for us to watch sort of the evolution of what glue started out the evolution of what glue started out the evolution of what glue started out as and what it is today and we're really as and what it is today and we're really as and what it is today and we're really excited to see what glue ends up I don't excited to see what glue ends up I don't excited to see what glue ends up I don't know that it'll end up being anything

know that it'll end up being anything know that it'll end up being anything it's just going to be this continuous it's just going to be this continuous it's just going to be this continuous growing evolving changing platform to growing evolving changing platform to growing evolving changing platform to meet the needs of churches and we really meet the needs of churches and we really meet the needs of churches and we really appreciate the heart that you guys have appreciate the heart that you guys have appreciate the heart that you guys have uh for serving the local church uh for uh for serving the local church uh for uh for serving the local church uh for those of you who have actually listened those of you who have actually listened those of you who have actually listened to this entire podcast youve got all the to this entire podcast youve got all the to this entire podcast youve got all the way to the end congratulations this way to the end congratulations this way to the end congratulations this one's a little longer than normal but one's a little longer than normal but one's a little longer than normal but hopefully you found the content to be hopefully you found the content to be hopefully you found the content to be helpful and if you do find the content helpful and if you do find the content helpful and if you do find the content to be helpful uh we'd love for you to to be helpful uh we'd love for you to to be helpful uh we'd love for you to leave us a rating a review wherever you leave us a rating a review wherever you leave us a rating a review wherever you listen to your favorite podcast that'll listen to your favorite podcast that'll listen to your favorite podcast that'll help more people find the podcast or help more people find the podcast or help more people find the podcast or grab the link and send it to somebody grab the link and send it to somebody grab the link and send it to somebody that you think might find this that you think might find this that you think might find this particular episode to be helpful uh particular episode to be helpful uh particular episode to be helpful uh until we do this again thanks for until we do this again thanks for until we do this again thanks for joining us on the missional marketing joining us on the missional marketing joining us on the missional marketing podcast podcast podcast [Applause]