In this episode of The Missional Leader Podcast, Rob Hoskins sits down with tech pioneer Bobby Gruenewald (founder and CEO of YouVersion) to wrestle with a pressing question facing the Church:
How do we steward generative AI faithfully—without compromising truth, safety, or theological integrity?
Bobby has helped the YouVersion Bible App reach hundreds of millions worldwide. And even as a longtime digital innovator, he’s urging leaders to approach AI with discernment, clarity, and conviction.
The Utopian vs. Dystopian Trap
Every technological revolution produces two camps:
- “This will change everything for the better.”
- “This will destroy everything.”
As Bobby explains, history shows the truth is usually somewhere in the middle. But generative AI presents a unique challenge:
- It sounds human.
- It feels intelligent.
- And yet—it can be profoundly wrong.
For Missional leaders, that combination demands discernment.
What Bobby Says “Yes” To
While choosing not to launch an open-ended Bible chatbot inside YouVersion, Bobby shares responsible ways his team is using AI:
- Improving Scripture search through better context
- Moderating inappropriate comments at scale
- Supporting internal workflows and development
- Increasing operational efficiency without compromising doctrine
Technology can serve the Kingdom, when its limits are understood and respected.
The Missional Leader Must Face
Bobby shares testing results that revealed serious concerns:
- AI misquoting Scripture (even top models miss ~15%)
- Chatbots fabricating theological explanations
- Dangerous responses to vulnerable users (including self-harm prompts)
- Weak safeguards in some “Christian” AI tool
As Bobby puts it:
“We already have technology that can quote Scripture 100% accurately. Why would we accept less?”
When Scripture and vulnerable people are involved, 85% accuracy isn’t good enough.
Why This Conversation Matters Now
AI isn’t just another productivity tool. It creates relational experiences. People bring their deepest fears, doubts, and struggles to it.
That means leaders must ask:
- Are we building for the promise of what AI could become?
- Or are we designing responsibly for what it actually is today?
This episode will challenge you to slow down, think deeply, and lead wisely.
Perfect For Missional Leaders Who Are:
- Exploring AI tools for ministry or church use
- Responsible for digital discipleship strategies
- Concerned about theological accuracy and safety
- Weighing innovation vs. integrity
- Committed to stewarding technology for Kingdom impact
Listen Now
This is not a conversation about fear. It’s about stewardship. Join Rob Hoskins and Bobby Gruenewald as they model what courageous, thoughtful leadership looks like in a rapidly changing world.
Subscribe, share, and continue the conversation with other missional leaders committed to truth in a digital age.
