The Trust We're Protecting
Data security, pastoral confidence, and what's at stake.
People share a lot with their churches. They share a lot with their pastor.
Financial struggles. Family crises. Spiritual doubts. That information is sacred. And it's exactly what's at stake when AI enters the picture.
Human supervision on everything
This is why we've built guardrails into every AI product.
When we put guardrails around our AI, we ensure that there is always human supervision before any action is taken, before any decision is taken. This helps ensure that even if the AI makes a mistake, as can happen with relatively new technology, it does not undermine the trust a church has built with its congregants.
If AI recommends sending a communication to a congregant, AI can help to identify that the communication is needed. AI can help to even draft a communication. But at the end of the day, it's going to be up to the church leader or the pastor or the volunteer to be able to review the communication and then to be able to send it.
The investment we're making
To ensure that, we are investing heavily in our security infrastructure, in our cybersecurity infrastructure. We are also putting guardrails around the use of data and around how the data is used to make decisions for the benefit of our members.
Everyone understands cybersecurity threats. They affect companies, individuals, governments. Churches are not exempt. The most important thing churches can do to maintain trust is to keep congregational data secure.
Our message to church leaders
AI is here to stay. Don't be afraid of it. But be cautious.
Work with a trusted partner who can leverage AI to help you improve meaningfully your engagement with your congregants. Be thoughtful about how you use AI, especially unfiltered AI tools readily available on the internet. Exercise a level of caution like you would with any other tool.
AI is powerful. It can affect positive change. It can help churches with operations and engagement. But without the right guardrails, it can risk the trust between a congregant and their church.
Work with partners who understand your mission, your operations, and your community. Work with partners who understand your church and your denomination.