AI, Agency, and the Church: A Crossroads Crossover
In this special crossover episode with the Crossroads podcast, Peter and Mercedes are joined by The Rev. Jo Nygard Owens and Dr. Sonia Coman of Washington National Cathedral. Together, they explore what it means to engage AI thoughtfully and faithfully—from theological reflection to digital strategy, from ethical caution to spiritual curiosity.
The conversation invites listeners to embrace imagination, resist fear, and reclaim human agency in a rapidly shifting digital landscape.
Topics Covered
- Defining intelligence, agency, and the Imago Dei in a world of machine decision-making
- What “authenticity” means in the age of machine-written texts
- Discernment, formation, and critical thinking across age groups
- The risk of opacity in automated systems and importance of transparency
- Pausing before automation: reclaiming intention, emotion, and spiritual grounding
- Why we need shared vocabulary—and shared discernment—across the Church
Resources Mentioned
- Searches: Selfhood in a Digital Age by Vaushini Vara
- Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari
- Crossroads Podcast from Washington National Cathedral
- Research on AI interpretability by Anthropic
Homework
Reach out to us and let us know how you’ve found generative AI to be useful in church ministry. You can email at info@aichurchtoolkit.com. We’d love to share ideas in our final episode of the season as we consider a round-up of our topics and how things are evolving.
Creators and Guests
Host
The Rev. Mercedes Clements
With a unique blend of expertise in technology and ministry, Mercedes Clements brings a forward-thinking approach to her work in the Church. Before entering ordained ministry, Mercedes built a successful career in IT management, strategic systems design, and compliance. Now serving as an Episcopal priest, she draws on her technical background to explore innovative ways technology, including AI, can support and enhance ministry. As the co-host of the AI Church Toolkit Podcast, Mercedes combines her passion for faith, systems thinking, and collaboration to equip church leaders with practical tools for navigating the evolving digital landscape while staying rooted in the mission of the Church.
Host
The Rev. Peter Levenstrong
Peter Levenstrong is the Associate Rector at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, a vibrant congregation known for its liturgical creativity, intergenerational worship, and radical hospitality. With a passion for blending ancient traditions with innovative practices, Peter is dedicated to helping church leaders navigate the complexities of ministry in the digital age. As a co-host of the AI Church Toolkit Podcast, Peter believes in the opportunities created by AI to deepen, not replace, human relationships. His other projects include Living Stories Sermons, a participatory preaching model that is all about human connection and communion; yet much of the content is made possible by the use of AI. Grounded in his commitment to community and inclusion, Peter believes that when thoughtfully applied, technology can deepen relationships and expand the Church’s mission in transformative ways.
