Tech Week 2026: Technology, Security, and AI for Church Leaders
Technology is reshaping nearly every aspect of church operations, from administrative systems and cybersecurity to artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making. Join The Church Network for this three-day online learning experience designed to help church leaders understand today’s technology landscape and prepare confidently for the future.
You’ll gain practical insights into the current state of church IT, learn how to strengthen your church’s cybersecurity posture in an increasingly complex threat environment, and explore how AI can enhance productivity, improve decision-making, and support effective ministry administration. Whether you oversee operations, finance, communications, technology, or executive leadership, this event will equip you with actionable strategies to leverage technology wisely while protecting your people, mission, and resources.
Attend individual sessions or participate in the full series to develop a stronger foundation for leading your church through today’s digital challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
Day One – Tuesday, November 3 – 1-2pm CT
Jonathan Smith is the President of MBS and the Chief Technology Officer at Faith Ministries in Lafayette, IN. He is an author and frequent conference speaker. You can reach Jonathan at jonathans@mbsinc.com and follow him on X @JonathanESmith.
Session Title: State of Church IT
Description: Church technology is evolving rapidly, impacting many areas of church operations. This session explores the current state of church IT, key trends shaping the future, practical risks to address today, and strategic decisions leaders should make now to prepare for tomorrow.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the major technology trends, risks, and opportunities currently affecting the church.
- Evaluate their church’s current technology systems to support ministry effectiveness, security, and future growth.
- Consider next steps for prioritizing IT investments, policies, and technology initiatives that align with ministry goals and emerging organizational needs.
Perquisites: None
Session Level: Overview
Day Two – Wednesday, November 4 – 1-2pm CT
Chris Martenson is Chief Data Officer at Arete, where he leads data strategy,
governance, and execution to power the company’s intelligence-led solutions.
Partnering with Arete’s incident response, managed services, and threat intelligence
teams, he turns complex data into actionable insight. He previously served as Arete’s
COO and spent nearly six years at Microsoft on Xbox Live.
Session Title: When Cyberattacks Happen: Protecting Your Ministry, People and Mission
Description: Cyberattacks can disrupt ministry, compromise donor trust, expose sensitive
information, and impact a church’s ability to serve its congregation. Drawing on
lessons from more than 13,000 incident response engagements, this session provides
practical steps church leaders can take to reduce risk, strengthen resilience, and
protect their people, mission, and ministry.
Learning objectives:
- Identify common cybersecurity threats facing churches and ministries, including risks to donor data, financial systems, staff, and congregational information.
- Assess their organization’s current cybersecurity preparedness and determine key vulnerabilities that could impact ministry operations and stakeholder trust.
- Implement practical risk-reduction and incident-response strategies that strengthen organizational resilience and support ministry continuity following a cyber event.
Perquisites: None
Session Level: Intermediate
Day Three – Thursday, November 5 – 1-3pm CT
Tim Kong is Business Administration Pastor at Grace Fellowship Church, a three-campus church in New York’s Capital Region, overseeing finance, compliance, and policy. A Certified Church Administrator with two decades in ministry, he serves on ECFA’s Standards Advisory Committee and The Church Network’s Investment Committee and he also leads TCN’s CONFERENCE HR FastTrack.
Session Title: TBD
Russ Donaho is Pastor of Administration at Family Church, a multicampus church in Windermere, Florida. He is also a Principal with Stonebreakers, focusing on leadership under pressure, team development, and AI’s impact on leaders. Russ has nearly 30 years in church leadership and an M.Div. from NOBTS. He and his wife proudly cheer on the University of Alabama, where their daughter attends (and where all his money goes).
Session Title: AI for Church Administration: From Overwhelmed to Optimized
Description: Artificial intelligence is changing the way churches manage operations, communication, finance, facilities, and leadership support. Discover practical, ministry-focused ways to use AI to save time, improve decision-making, streamline administrative tasks, and enhance stewardship, plus how to roll it out to your staff wisely. No technical expertise required. Leave with ideas, tools, and prompts you can use immediately.
Learning objectives:
- Use a paid AI tool (ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, or Gemini) as a thought partner for real administrative work, including church documents, vendor comparisons, and drafting in your own voice.
- Identify where connectors and automations can save time, and where human review must stay in the loop.
- Lead a responsible AI rollout to staff, including a practical policy that protects confidential information.
Perquisites: None (A paid AI account is recommended: an enterprise, nonprofit, or paid business plan that keeps your information out of the model’s training.)
Session Level: Basic to Intermediate