Understanding the significance and implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly crucial for today’s pastors. A new six-week online continuing education course, “Artificial Intelligence and Real Ministry,” aims to provide a comprehensive overview, highlighting key facets of AI and its potential implications in ministry. The course is offered in partnership by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL) and Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor (CUWAA).

“AI usage raises important ethical and theological questions for pastors and church leaders,” said Erika Petsch, director of Continuing Education at Concordia Seminary. “This spring partnership continuing education course is designed to help ministry leaders navigate the responsible use of AI.”

Six sessions will be taught weekly from 4-5 p.m. (CT) Tuesday, April 9, through May 14, 2024, via Zoom. The course instructors include:

• Dr. David Adams, the W.G. Ray and Louis J. Rechtzigel Professor of Biblical Studies at Concordia Seminary
• Christopher Brandt, Director of Business Intelligence at CUWAA
• Joshua Locklair, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at CUWAA
• Brett Seider, Director of Administrative Computing at CUWAA

Course sessions will cover:

• Introduction to AI
• Ethical considerations
• Theological reflections
• Ministry applications
• Congregational engagement
• Practical considerations/future trends

The fee for the course is $99, which includes one Continuing Education Unit (CEU). Register April 2, 2024. For more information, contact Concordia Seminary’s Continuing Education department at ce@csl.edu or 314-505-7286.

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.