Our ACP/PCPA 2025 Keynote Speakers
Keynote #1: Pulpits, Pews and Publishing:
Implications of the ever-changing reality of America’s congregational vitality
Scott Thumma and Tracy Simmons
Keynote Description:
Drawing on the latest 2024 research on U.S congregations and worship attenders, this presentation will sketch the trends in churches in the post-pandemic era and discuss new findings about the attitudes and commitment levels of thousands of church participants. This discussion will draw on the recent research findings from the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations study by Hartford Institute for Religion Research and will suggest some implications from this data that might impact the future of religious publishing.
About the keynote speakers:
Scott Thumma is Professor of Sociology of Religion and co-director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford International University, Hartford, CT. He has published numerous articles, research reports, and chapters on religious life in addition to co-authoring three books.
Scott is the Principal Investigator for 5-year Lilly Endowment grant to study the impact of the pandemic on churches (www.covidreligionresearch.org).
Additionally, he co-leads the 25-year long Faith Communities Today (www.faithcommunitiestoday.org) national research project and has conducted numerous national studies of megachurches and nondenominational churches.
Joining Scott Thumma on stage for keynote #1 is his colleague Tracy Simmons, who serves as a writer and social media consultant to the EPIC (Exploring the Pandemic Implications on Congregations) project.
Tracy is also a Scholarly Assistant Professor at the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University and writes for the Religion News Service, as well as The Spokesman-Review.
She is also the Executive Director of FāVS.News, a digital journalism start-up covering religion news and commentary in Spokane, Washington.
In addition to joining Scott Thumma for this keynote, Tracy will lead two workshops for this conference.
Transforming Research into Compelling Narratives: A Workshop for Christian Publishers
Divine Pitches: Crafting Irresistible Story Ideas for Religious Publishers
Keynote #2: The Real-World Consequences of AI on the Book Publishing Industry
Thad McIlroy
Keynote Description:
Book publishing is rapidly embracing artificial intelligence (AI). While the general contours of AI’s impact are known, many details remain unclear. The hesitancy surrounding AI among authors and publishers is understandable, given its potential to disrupt the rights and copyrights of both parties.
Publishers, both small and large, have started using AI, but often for mundane tasks, like writing press releases and manuscript rejection letters. That barely scratches the surface of AI’s potential. This session will delve deep into the implications of artificial intelligence for book publishers and authors. Thad McIlroy will review the fast assault of AI on the book publishing industry, and make projections about where it might be heading, what the real-world consequences could be.
About the keynote speaker:
Thad McIlroy is a digital publishing analyst and author, and principal of The Future of Publishing, based in San Francisco. He is a contributing editor to Publishers Weekly, covering artificial intelligence, digital innovation and publishing startups. His latest book, The AI Revolution in Book Publishing: A Concise Guide to Navigating Artificial Intelligence for Writers and Publishers, was published in July, 2024.
McIlroy has authored a dozen books and over five hundred articles on digital publishing. He is co-author of the industry-standard The Metadata Handbook, 2nd Ed (co-authored with Renee Register). He is a founding partner in Publishing Technology Partners, a consultancy focused on the broad range of strategic technology issues in publishing.
Keynote #3: Niche vs. Viral: A New Playbook for Church Marketers
Ryan Panzer
Keynote Description:
Marketers need a new playbook. AI, TikTok, and changes to search have already rendered yesterday’s strategies obsolete. We need new tactics, and updated KPIs. “Going viral” is no longer the best possible outcome. In this keynote, we’ll present a new playbook for today’s church publisher, one focused on the cultivation of niche communities.
About the keynote speaker:
Ryan Panzer is the author of “Grace and Gigabytes: Being Church in a Tech-Shaped Culture” and "The Holy and the Hybrid: Navigating the Church's Digital Reformation," both published by PCPA member company 1517 Media.
Ryan has spent his career in the worlds of church leadership and technology. He received his M.A. from Luther Seminary while simultaneously working for Google. Ryan serves as a learning and leadership development professional in the technology industry and as a speaker and writer on digital technology in the church.
Ryan also serves as the Theologian in Residence at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Madison, WI where he lives with his wife and two children. For more writings and resources, visit www.ryanpanzer.com.
PCPA 2024 Conference Chaplain
TBD
