10:00

Veronika Matějková, Ph.D. (Charles University)

How is the Church there for humans? The possibilities of faith growth in the conditions of the contemporary world

What is the practical theological reflection on the concepts of Hussite theology founding the notion of pastoral care and education? What does a human in his complexity expect from the Church today? The paper will introduce the audience to the basic theses of the approach to pastoral care and education in the Czechoslovak Hussite Church. It will open the questions of the current socio-cultural conditions in which the practice of the Czech churches is situated and outline the specifics of promoting the growth of faith of contemporary humans.

10:30

František Štěch, Th.D. (Charles University)

AI in context of Christianity

Recently AI has proved itself to be a major challenge for all spheres of human life, religion notwithstanding. As such it also became a topic for theological reflection. This paper starts with a short reflection of the post-digital era where digital and physical realities are becoming fully integrated into the hybrid environment chiefly thanks to wide implementation of AI. It further summarizes different avenues of theological engagement with AI and deals with the question what impact this technology has, may have and probably will have on Christianity and its practice. It is by no means a paper exhausting the topic, but it aims at inviting people to think further about ideas and points suggested.

11:00

Coffee Break

11:15

Ing. Eva Pavlíková (Ministry of Regional Development, Czech Republic)

Digital Tools as a Path to Faith: Pastoral Care in the Age of Individualization

In an increasingly individualized world, people are seeking new pathways to faith and spiritual growth. When used wisely, technology can become a powerful tool for practical theology and pastoral care. Applications like One Minute Pause demonstrate that even a simple digital resource can help people encounter God exactly where they are. This talk will offer practical examples, encourage trust in technology, and show how it can serve as a first step on the journey toward a living faith.

11:45

Dr. Gernot Meier (Protestant Church of Baden, Heidelberg University)

“What now AI can do for pastoral care and education in churches” Reflections from theology, technology, and cultural studies on pastoral care and education in the age of AI

Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping the way we live, work, and relate to one another – and this includes the Church, pastoral care, and religious education. This lecture explores the potentials and limitations of digital technologies within protesatnt contexts. At its core lies the question of how pastoral care, religious education, and practice can be reimagined and reshaped in the digital age. Theological reflection, cultural critique, and sociological analysis open a space for responsible, life-affirming engagement with digital culture. Through concrete examples, the lecture shows how churches can approach digital transformation in meaningful and human-centered ways – while remaining mindful of the risks it entails.

As the Polish poet once said: Behind every corner, a few directions lurk.