Join David Maples and Carla Green as they kick off a new conversation about the intersection of faith and technology. In this inaugural episode, David, a tech entrepreneur and software developer, and Carla, a former pastor with extensive experience in church administration, share their vision for the podcast: to demystify AI and other technologies for church leaders. They discuss how these tools can help ministries of all sizes become more effective and expand their reach without sacrificing the essential, human-to-human connections that are the heart of the church.

• [00:05] Welcome & The Podcast's Mission: David and Carla introduce the show and its core purpose: to demystify technology, particularly AI, for ministry leaders.
• [00:46] Getting to Know the Hosts: David and Carla introduce their unique backgrounds.
• [00:51] Carla's Ministry Experience: Carla details her 18 years of experience, including her role as Chief Administrative Pastor at a large multi-campus church.
• [01:45] From AI Skeptic to Advocate: Carla shares the story of how she first met David, initially turning her back on his AI presentation before realizing its incredible potential for ministry.
• [02:51] David's Tech & Business Background: David explains his work as a software developer, attorney, and digital marketing agency owner, providing the technical foundation for the discussion.
• [03:14] The Genesis of the Podcast: How Carla's use of David's AI tool sparked the idea for a podcast and a purpose-built platform for churches.
• [09:35] The Current Tech Landscape in Churches: The hosts discuss the varying levels of tech adoption and the specific challenges faced by smaller churches that make up the majority of congregations.
• [13:02] David's Six Buckets of Ministry Tech: A framework for how technology can be applied to different areas of church operations.
  • [14:50] Bucket 1: Administration & Automation
  • [16:18] Bucket 2: Content Creation
  • [17:16] Bucket 3: Fundraising & Donor Engagement
  • [18:29] Bucket 4: Communications & Support
  • [19:21] Bucket 5: Accessibility
  • [20:04] Bucket 6: Data Analysis
• [20:50] Carla's Practical Insights: Carla expands on the six buckets with real-world examples, like repurposing sermons for small groups and the complexities of donor recognition.
• [22:52] Measuring the "Gaps": A key insight on shifting focus from just measuring big events (like Easter attendance) to measuring relational engagement between them.
• [25:47] A Gutenberg Moment: David compares the potential impact of AI on the church to the revolution sparked by the printing press.
• [30:51] The Heart of the Matter: Discussing the importance of not losing the human, relational aspect of ministry while adopting new tools.
• [38:35] What's Coming Next: A preview of future episode topics, including digital discipleship, the virtual church, and pastoral care.
• [40:44] How to Connect: Information on where to subscribe, leave reviews, and find show resources.