In a world shaped by artificial intelligence, rapid technological change, political division, mental health challenges, and global uncertainty, many people are asking deeper questions about meaning, ethics, and the future of humanity.
At St. James the Great, those conversations are not avoided—they are welcomed.
Founded in 2018 as an initiative of St. James Episcopal Church in Newport Beach, St. James Faith Lab was created to explore the intersection of spirituality, technology, ethics, culture, and global affairs. Its mission is simple yet ambitious: to help people thoughtfully navigate a rapidly changing world by bringing timeless spiritual wisdom into conversation with modern innovation and real-world challenges.
Rather than seeing faith and technology as opposing forces, Faith Lab seeks to bridge the growing divide between innovation and the human spirit. It asks not only what humanity can create, but also what humanity should create—and how compassion, ethics, and spiritual reflection can help guide the future.
Through speaker series, public conversations, and community gatherings, Faith Lab convenes respected leaders from fields including technology, intelligence, medicine, business, academia, government, and the Church. Past invited speakers have included former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William B. Taylor, Veritone CEO Ryan Steelberg, former CIA Deputy Director Darrell Blocker, and Dr. Anthony Bossis of NYU and Johns Hopkins University.
What makes Faith Lab especially unique is its setting: these conversations happen within a faith-centered environment that is intellectually open, welcoming, and accessible to the broader community. Attendees are invited not only to learn, but to reflect, engage, and participate in meaningful dialogue about the challenges shaping modern life.
The evenings themselves have become a signature experience at St. James the Great—bringing together thoughtful individuals for engaging discussions, elegant dinners, and conversations that continue long after the event ends.
At its core, Faith Lab is about cultivating wisdom in an age of disruption. It reflects the belief that churches should not retreat from contemporary issues, but instead help people engage them with courage, compassion, curiosity, and hope.
Learn more about upcoming events and conversations at www.stjamesfaithlab.com.
