The Rise of
What This Moment Requires of the Church and Its Leaders
Barna’s newest research-driven resource for anyone leading people through the most disruptive technology shift in a generation.
What It Is
The Rise of AI is Barna’s new viewbook distilling original research from the State of the Church & AI study—a landmark partnership with Gloo surveying U.S. adults and pastors—and findings from our Barna/Christ In Youth research on teens: how they’re using artificial intelligence, and what they expect from faith leaders in response.
The Rise of AI is not a tech explainer. It’s a highly visual guide with the data, the trends and the theological grounding leaders need to meet this moment with wisdom.
Why Leaders Need It
See what's already happening
Most pastors underestimate how often their congregation turns to AI for spiritual guidance. This resource shows the real numbers — and the trust gap hiding underneath them.
Understand the generational divide
Younger adults and teens are forming spiritual habits around AI faster than older generations realize. Leaders need this before it becomes a pastoral care crisis, not after.
Get language for the conversation
Practical framing for talking about AI from the pulpit, in small groups and at the kitchen table — grounded in research, not speculation or fear.
Lead instead of react
This is a moment the church can help shape. The Rise of AI equips leaders to respond with clarity and conviction rather than playing catch-up.
Barna’s Upcoming Events
Preaching in the Age of AI
A six-week Barna CoLab · Wednesdays, Sept 16 – Oct 21 · 1:00–2:30pm ET · Live on Zoom
For pastors and biblical communicators preaching to a congregation that’s more spiritually open—and more distracted—than ever. Guided by David Kinnaman with guest speakers including Carey Nieuwhof, Heather Thompson Day, Sharon Hodde Miller, Rich Villodas, Glenn Packiam and Randy Frazee.
This CoLab has already started. If you’d still like to join, email colab@barna.org.
The AI Summit
A half-day Barna event · Date and time to be announced
Three hours with Barna’s research team and Carey Nieuwhof, built for the leaders who have to make the call. Not a lecture on the technology—four candid conversations about what it is already doing to ministry, and what to do about it this year.
Registration and date details coming soon