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Early Warning: How to Lead with Wisdom in Times of Technological Disruption
The pace of technological change is accelerating-and the Church is feeling the pressure. Livestreams became lifelines during the pandemic. Artificial intelligence is reshaping communication. Blockchain is challenging how we handle authority and trust. And digital presence is no longer optional. The question is no longer if these innovations will impact ministry-it's how prepared we are when they do.
In Early Warning, ministry technologist and innovation leader David J. Swisher offers a bold yet practical guide for navigating disruption with theological clarity and strategic foresight. Drawing from nearly four decades of dual experience in church leadership and academic technology, Swisher acts as a kind of storm chaser-tracking emerging innovations, forecasting their impact, and helping church leaders respond wisely before the storm hits.
From the pandemic's digital pivot to the promises and pitfalls of AI, blockchain, metaverse church, and even autonomous delivery systems, Swisher explores five critical shifts already shaping the future of ministry. With each chapter, he offers not only analysis but also grounded, actionable guidance rooted in biblical reflection and real-world practice.
Help lead the church and culture through technological change with wisdom, discernment, and hope.
Whether you're a senior pastor, denominational leader, tech director, or ministry strategist, Early Warning will help you understand the times, prepare your people, and turn today's disruptions into tomorrow's opportunities for faithful innovation.
In Early Warning, ministry technologist and innovation leader David J. Swisher offers a bold yet practical guide for navigating disruption with theological clarity and strategic foresight. Drawing from nearly four decades of dual experience in church leadership and academic technology, Swisher acts as a kind of storm chaser-tracking emerging innovations, forecasting their impact, and helping church leaders respond wisely before the storm hits.
From the pandemic's digital pivot to the promises and pitfalls of AI, blockchain, metaverse church, and even autonomous delivery systems, Swisher explores five critical shifts already shaping the future of ministry. With each chapter, he offers not only analysis but also grounded, actionable guidance rooted in biblical reflection and real-world practice.
Help lead the church and culture through technological change with wisdom, discernment, and hope.
Whether you're a senior pastor, denominational leader, tech director, or ministry strategist, Early Warning will help you understand the times, prepare your people, and turn today's disruptions into tomorrow's opportunities for faithful innovation.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
1 person is currently reading
About the author
David J. Swisher
1 bookDavid J. Swisher is a ministry technologist who seamlessly navigates the worlds of technology innovation and pastoral ministry. His professional background includes over two decades of leadership with technology innovation in higher education, including significant roles in educational technology, online learning, and instructional design. For most of his career he has been bivocational, serving in a variety of pastoral and ministry leadership roles in churches of varying sizes from multiple denominations.
He currently serves as Director of Online Services at Kingswood University, where he also teaches and develops courses. Previously, he was the Senior Learning Experience Designer and LMS Systems Integration Specialist at Indiana Wesleyan University, where he led the development of IT management, cybersecurity, and technology courses, managed technology integrations, and piloted new innovative approaches, including AI and competency-based learning. Prior to that, he was the Director of Learning Management Technologies at Tabor College and managed technology-enhanced learning environments at Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus.
An ordained Wesleyan minister, he has served in a variety of pastoral and leadership roles in churches of varying sizes (from 17 to 7,000 in worship attendance) and across Baptist, Nazarene, Church of God (Anderson), non-denominational, and Wesleyan contexts. He enjoys helping congregations - and especially pastors and ministry leaders - learn how to navigate change, communicate effectively in today’s culture, and innovate with technology without losing the heart of the mission. His ministry experience includes both local church leadership and broader service in denominational and training contexts, equipping leaders to think wisely about innovation while staying grounded in Scripture and the practical realities of ministry.
Swisher earned a Doctor of Ministry in Semiotics, Church, and Culture from Portland Seminary at George Fox University, a Master’s in Instructional Design & Technology from Emporia State University, and a Bachelor’s in Christian Ministries from Southwest Baptist University. He also completed a professional certificate in "AI and Machine Learning" from Purdue University and over 3 dozen courses on AI, technology innovation, design, and change management on LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, AWS, and other platforms.
He is the author of Early Warning: How to Lead with Wisdom in Times of Technological Disruption (Invite Resources, 2025), which he wrote to help pastors and ministry leaders face technological change with clarity, courage, and peace, staying anchored in the gospel while learning how to lead faithfully in a rapidly shifting world.
He currently serves as Director of Online Services at Kingswood University, where he also teaches and develops courses. Previously, he was the Senior Learning Experience Designer and LMS Systems Integration Specialist at Indiana Wesleyan University, where he led the development of IT management, cybersecurity, and technology courses, managed technology integrations, and piloted new innovative approaches, including AI and competency-based learning. Prior to that, he was the Director of Learning Management Technologies at Tabor College and managed technology-enhanced learning environments at Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus.
An ordained Wesleyan minister, he has served in a variety of pastoral and leadership roles in churches of varying sizes (from 17 to 7,000 in worship attendance) and across Baptist, Nazarene, Church of God (Anderson), non-denominational, and Wesleyan contexts. He enjoys helping congregations - and especially pastors and ministry leaders - learn how to navigate change, communicate effectively in today’s culture, and innovate with technology without losing the heart of the mission. His ministry experience includes both local church leadership and broader service in denominational and training contexts, equipping leaders to think wisely about innovation while staying grounded in Scripture and the practical realities of ministry.
Swisher earned a Doctor of Ministry in Semiotics, Church, and Culture from Portland Seminary at George Fox University, a Master’s in Instructional Design & Technology from Emporia State University, and a Bachelor’s in Christian Ministries from Southwest Baptist University. He also completed a professional certificate in "AI and Machine Learning" from Purdue University and over 3 dozen courses on AI, technology innovation, design, and change management on LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, AWS, and other platforms.
He is the author of Early Warning: How to Lead with Wisdom in Times of Technological Disruption (Invite Resources, 2025), which he wrote to help pastors and ministry leaders face technological change with clarity, courage, and peace, staying anchored in the gospel while learning how to lead faithfully in a rapidly shifting world.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 21, 2026
David Swisher wrote this book Early Warning and I've now had the privilege of reading and processing it. I would highly recommend it to any ministry leader wanting a more comprehensive understanding of technology in this present age.
The challenge with this book, as is the challenge with many books written by futurists, is that it quickly becomes more of a reference book rather than a singular read. I've referenced it a handful of times since finishing it and I suspect that trend will continue over the next few months and years.
The challenge with this book, as is the challenge with many books written by futurists, is that it quickly becomes more of a reference book rather than a singular read. I've referenced it a handful of times since finishing it and I suspect that trend will continue over the next few months and years.
Displaying 1 of 1 review