The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has called on its media personnel and communication officers to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital literacy into their ministry work.
This call was made during the recently concluded national conference for Church communicators and data officers, held at the Ilesa Anglican Heritage City in Osun State.
With the theme “Proclaiming Christ through the Media in Times Like This,” the conference brought together media practitioners from across the Church’s provinces. One of the key takeaways was the importance of equipping future ministers and communicators with not just theological knowledge but also essential media and technological skills. Delegates resolved that theological education must now encompass media literacy and AI awareness to ensure relevance and effectiveness in a rapidly evolving digital age.
Leaders at the event emphasized that the Church must remain vigilant against the ethical challenges posed by modern technology while leveraging its benefits for evangelism.
The communiqué, signed by various Church figures including Archbishop Williams O. Aladekugbe and Director of Communications Korede Akintunde, stressed the responsibility of Church media teams to faithfully represent the Church’s teachings and leadership. The statement urged communicators to resist financial temptations that could compromise their message or lend credibility to misleading content.
The Church reminded media officers of their sacred duty, not just as content creators, but as digital missionaries with a global platform. The Church warned against turning clergy or Church media departments into vehicles for personal promotion or fruitless online debates.
“The tools are already in our hands,” the communiqué read. “Let us make the most of them to advance the unchanging Gospel in our ever-changing world. Enough of Pastors and Diocesan media personnel being influencers of trendy topics rather than being influencers of Christ’s truth – His birth, His works, His death, His victory, and His second coming.”
