Resources for Care

Practice Cases

Composite pastoral situations written for practice and discussion — none describe real, identifiable people. Each case names its pace and harm domains, walks through a response, and ends with reflection questions for individual study or clergy groups.

01

When Work Disappears

Automation, identity, and a crisis of worth

Marcus has driven long-haul routes for thirty years. His company moved to autonomous freight, and his route is gone. “I did everything I was supposed to do. What exactly am I still for?”

Pace: Acute concern emerging from a slow loss Harm domains: Spiritual, Emotional, Financial, Relational

02

My Best Friend Is an App

Adolescent attachment, safeguarding, and family concern

Fifteen-year-old Eli calls his AI companion his best friend — and lately, his girlfriend. His youth leader is the only adult he has told about the “really blue nights.”

Pace: Slow erosion with possible escalation Harm domains: Emotional, Relational, Spiritual, Safeguarding

03

Hearing Her Voice Again

AI-mediated grief and continuing bonds

A grieving spouse has built a chatbot from a lost loved one’s texts and voicemails, trying to hear her voice again. Where does comfort end and captivity begin?

Pace: Slow erosion Harm domains: Emotional, Relational, Spiritual, Privacy

04

The Photos Aren’t Real

Deepfake extortion and acute crisis response

A parishioner arrives in the office in acute distress: someone is threatening to send fabricated, explicit images to everyone they know. Evidence, safety, and shame — in that order.

Pace: Acute incident Harm domains: Emotional, Reputational, Relational, Financial, Safeguarding

05

It’s All Over the Group Chat

Disinformation inside a congregation

An AI-generated story about the congregation is spreading through members’ group chats, and people are taking sides. Repairing trust when the damage is communal.

Pace: Acute incident with long-term relational harm Harm domains: Relational, Institutional, Reputational, Emotional, Spiritual

The extended library

Twenty-two additional reviewed case studies, downloadable as a single collection for clergy gatherings and formation programs.

Download the collection (PDF)