In this episode of the TheoTech Podcast, Rev. Dr. Andy Morgan, Director of Family Faith Formation at First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, introduces "Polity Pal," an AI bot he developed to assist with understanding and navigating the complexities of Presbyterian polity. The discussion explores the potential of AI as a tool to empower church leaders, alleviate administrative burdens, and foster deeper human connections. He also delves into the ethical considerations and the broader implications for digital citizenship and faith-based communities.
Check out Polity Pal.
Connect with Rev. Morgan on Facebook.
If you would like to support the TheoTech podcast, become a patron at www.patreon.com/theotech
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50:02
The Blessings & Challenges of a Multilingual Church
In this episode of the TheoTech podcast, the pastoral leadership team at Westminster Chapel in Bellevue, Washington, shares their journey to build an intercultural community and create belonging through translation and accessibility. Hear from the Senior Pastor, Executive Pastor, Outreach Pastor, and Production & Digital Innovation Director about their strategies for embracing Bellevue's diversity, including multilingual worship services in 9 languages, cultural events, and community engagement. They explore the challenges and blessings of leading a church that reflects the multicultural reality of their city and embodies God’s kingdom.
Guests: Ryan Falls (Senior Pastor), Matt Conrad (Executive Pastor), Chris Wilson (Outreach Pastor), and Brendan Erazo (Production & Digital Innovation Director)
Learn more about Westminster Chapel at www.westminster.org
Connect with Westminster Chapel on Facebook and Instagram
Learn more about spf.io at www.spf.ioIf you would like to support the TheoTech podcast, become a patron at www.patreon.com/theotech
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31:41
Multilingual Church Strategies
Dr. Jonathan Downie, founder and owner of Integrity Languages, joins this episode of the TheoTech podcast to delve into the dynamic world of multilingual church strategies. Drawing from his professional experience as an interpreter and consultant and his passion for enhancing church inclusivity, Dr. Downie discusses practical methods for integrating diverse linguistic communities. This discussion delves into the nuances of multilingual worship, the use of human vs. machine interpretation, and the profound impact of language on church unity and discipleship.
Watch the full video at www.youtu.be/ayooX7y5PDw
Learn more about Integrity Languages at www.integritylanguages.co.uk
Check out Dr. Downie’s latest book: Multilingual Church: Strategies for Making Disciples in All Languages
Connect with Dr. Downie on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn
Learn more about spf.io at www.spf.io
If you would like to support the TheoTech podcast, become a patron at www.patreon.com/theotech
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1:07:16
The New Parents Episode
In this podcast episode, Chris Lim and his wife Kathleen discuss their experiences as new parents and how technology has played a role in their parenting journey. They talk about creating an Amazon Echo skill that helps them track various aspects of their baby’s care, such as feeding, diaper changes, and pumping. This technology has proven to be a helpful hands-free solution for managing their busy schedules and staying organized in the midst of caring for their son, Athanasius (Athos). They also touch on the challenges of balancing technology use and human interaction for their child, emphasizing their choice to limit screen time and encourage more interactive and imaginative play. The episode explores their personal insights into how technology fits into their parenting philosophy and the ways they adapt to their baby’s needs and their own changing lifestyle.
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31:37
A Decade Since “From the Garden to the City”
In the decade since John Dyer published “From the Garden to the City” the cutting edge of technology has transitioned from hardware innovations like the iPad and the viral domination of social media platforms to new “fads” like VR, web3, bitcoin, and of course breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence. As a software developer and professor of theology, John has had a front-row seat to how these shifts are affecting the Christian faith and vice versa. Listen in to hear his thoughts on the ways different generations are handling the captivating power of screens and innovative ways technological affordances can help us engage with and live out Scripture in the future.
Connect with John at:
https://j.hn/
@johndyer
Support the podcast:
www.patreon.com/theotech
Technology is constantly reshaping our lives, disrupting the status quo and creating new possibilities. Stay up to date, satisfy your curiosity, and live more intentionally through our mix of interviews with people integrating faith and tech, theological takes on the latest tech news, stories from the frontlines of industry, book summaries, and more. Join us as we apply the theology of technology to all of life and help each other demystify tech to use it for God’s purposes.