Faith Facts

• 95% of U.S. pastors think discipleship is achieved in relationships, not through technology.
• AI can help with administration but lacks the spiritual depth needed for discipleship.
• Christian formation requires real presence, sacrificial love, and shared worship—qualities AI cannot provide.

Christian leaders across America affirm that personal relationships form the heart of true discipleship, far surpassing what artificial intelligence could ever accomplish.

The recent Lifeway Research State of Discipleship study reveals pastors believe growing in Christ requires authentic, human-to-human connection, especially as the church faces new challenges from advancing technology.

The research highlights how tools like AI may offer efficiency for church administration but cannot provide the spiritual wisdom, compassionate love, or genuine accountability essential to Christian growth.

Five areas are noted where AI falls short: showing up physically for people, listening prayerfully to the Holy Spirit, building deep trust, loving selflessly as Christ taught, and participating in embodied acts of faith.

“AI can save time, but it cannot make disciples of Jesus,” wrote Brett Buckland.

“That’s our calling. Jesus didn’t say, ‘Go and automate disciples.’ He said, ‘Go and make disciples,’ a command rooted in relationship and trust.”

The report warns that relying on machines for relational ministry erodes the meaningful, incarnational essence of the church.

True discipleship is lived out through patience, presence, and commitment to others, not speed or convenience.

Faithful ministry means using technology only to serve people, clearing away distractions so leaders can focus on nurturing real, Christ-centered relationships.

When used rightly, technology supports the body of Christ; it must never replace the calling to love and invest deeply in one another.

“Think of AI as a fast intern: helpful but needs supervision,” Buckland advised.

“The goal is not to eliminate human work; it’s to elevate it. Use AI to clear the clutter so you can focus on what matters most: people.”

Let us hold fast to a discipleship that places faith, fellowship, and sacrificial love at the center of Christian life.

Read the full report at Christian Daily

Faith Facts

• Burn 24/7 Canada Worship Ministries filed a lawsuit against Quebec City for canceling a worship event with Sean Feucht.
• The ministry says the event was canceled due to Feucht’s Christian views and advocacy for faith-driven causes.
• The lawsuit seeks reimbursement and a court declaration that Christian freedoms were infringed upon under Canadian law.

A Christian organization is standing up for religious freedom after Quebec City canceled its worship event featuring Sean Feucht at the last minute. The city claimed reputational concerns as a reason for withdrawing support, allegedly in response to Feucht’s vocal stance on issues rooted in Christian values.

Burn 24/7 Canada Worship Ministries is seeking damages and a formal recognition that canceling the event violated fundamental liberties protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The ministry maintains that nothing about Feucht’s participation was concealed and that their faith-driven mission deserves equal protection.

When other Christian voices faced similar shutdowns in Montreal, churches faced fines and accusations of bylaw violations simply for hosting worship gatherings. These mounting incidents highlight challenges to public expressions of faith in today’s secular climate.

“Here’s the hard truth: If I had shown up with purple hair and a dress, claiming to be a woman, the government wouldn’t have said a word. But to publicly profess deeply held Christian beliefs is to be labeled an extremist — and to have a free worship event classified as a public safety risk,” Feucht said at the time.

Now, more than ever, Christians must prayerfully stand united in defending the fundamental rights to worship and proclaim the truth boldly in public. Let us champion faith, family, and freedom for all.

Read the full story at The Christian Post

Faith Facts

• Over 2,000 anti-Christian hate crimes were reported across Europe in 2024, with France recording the highest number.
• Violence against Christians has increased in severity, including the murder of a 76-year-old monk in Spain and a rise in arson targeting churches and Christian properties.
• Christians face prosecution even for silent prayer, raising critical concerns about religious freedom and expression in Europe.

Christian believers in Europe experienced heightened hostility in 2024, as documented by OIDAC Europe. The number of reported attacks remained troublingly high, especially in Western nations.

While the overall incidents slightly decreased compared to 2023, the violence escalated, and personal attacks grew despite incomplete data from some countries. Arson incidents almost doubled, leaving cherished places of worship severely damaged.

Many motivations behind these crimes stemmed from radical ideologies and opposition to Christian values, underscoring the challenges believers face. Instances of believers prosecuted for peaceful faith-based actions, such as silent prayer near abortion clinics, highlight erosion of basic liberties.

“Not only are we observing a worrying number of attacks against Christians, but we also find that Christians are confronted with increasing intolerance within broader society.”

Calls are growing for European authorities to take decisive steps to protect Christians, urging the appointment of a dedicated coordinator, collection of robust data, and funding of preventative measures.

Christian values of faith, family, and freedom are foundational to a thriving society. In these challenging times, our community is called to pray for courage, advocate for religious liberty, and stand united for biblical truth.

Read the full report here.