Atlantic District of The Wesleyan Church
Founding Cohort · January–May 2027
Faithful Preaching with AI
A Wesleyan Pastors’ Cohort on the Responsible Use of AI
Led by Dr. David J. Swisher
Register by December 1, 2026Exploring tomorrow. Discerning today.
AI Wisdom for Kingdom Impact
This five-month learning community helps Wesleyan pastors engage generative AI with theological depth, practical wisdom, and clear ethical boundaries. It is not about handing the sacred work of preaching to a machine. It is about learning where these tools can support the work—and where they must never replace it.
The Atlantic District is the first place in the world where material from Between the Altar and the Algorithm will be taught. Each live session combines teaching, conversation, and open questions in a small-group setting where every participant has room to talk.
January–May 2027
One 75-minute live Zoom session each month
Small cohorts
One or two morning groups, based on registration
Practical formation
Recordings, frameworks, resources, and coaching
The Five-Month Path
- 01
January
Tools for Sermon Prep
Why every new tool has faced resistance—and how the Church has learned to consecrate useful tools for faithful work.
- 02
February
What Generative AI Is and How It Works
A plain-language account of what these tools can do, what they cannot do, and why those limits matter.
- 03
March
After, Not Instead Of
A practical framework that keeps prayer, Scripture, theological reflection, and the Holy Spirit first.
- 04
April
Faithful and Responsible Use
Where AI helps and hinders, including illustration, disclosure, bias, and examples from real preaching practice.
- 05
May
Where Do You Stand?
A guided evaluation of each preacher’s readiness, habits, boundaries, and next faithful steps.
What participants receive
- Five live 75-minute Zoom sessions, plus recordings
- A private 30-minute coaching session for your church leadership team
- A copy of Between the Altar and the Algorithm upon release
- Early access to the sermon-prep prompt library
- The TRUST-based ethical standards framework
- A Wesleyan framework for responsible AI use
- A private resource hub and certificate of completion
Founding cohort rate
$100 CAD per month
for the first participant from a church, plus $50 CAD per month for each additional participant. Five-month commitment; pay monthly or in full.
The Atlantic District will reimburse half of each participant’s fee after completion.
Completion means attending at least four of five live sessions and completing the between-session practice assignments.
Need-based partial assistance may be considered case by case. Contact TektonConsultingLLC@gmail.com before registering.
Meet the Cohort Leader
David J. Swisher, D.Min., is an ordained Wesleyan minister entering his fortieth year of bivocational ministry and thirtieth year of ordination. He serves Kingswood University as Director of Online Services in a consulting capacity.
David has provided AI training for Wesleyan districts, Kingswood University, Indiana Wesleyan University, and more than 5,500 T-Mobile employees. He holds a D.Min. in Semiotics, Church, and Culture from Portland Seminary and a Professional Certificate in AI and Machine Learning from Purdue University.
“David Swisher is the Church’s current expert on responsible AI.”
Register by December 1, 2026
Reserve Your Place
Register your church’s primary participant, then add any additional pastors or staff joining at the reduced rate.