AI is in nearly every aspect of our lives, including ministry. But is it authentic? What about spiritual leadership? Are pastors replacing Spirit-led sermon preparation with AI-generated content? And if so, what does this mean for the church?
When I first started creating content online, I relied on AI to get some posts on the website. However, after hearing a podcast (Sorry – can’t remember which one it was), I changed my mind. The message was clear: if anyone can get the same AI-generated information, what unique value was I adding? This made me delete those posts and start over.
I still use AI for outlines and initial organization. I found that when AI wrote something for me, I had to make massive edits. It just didn’t sound like me. AI isn’t perfect. If you try it, you’ll spend at least as much time editing than if you just wrote it yourself.
One thing that can help with AI is to write something and then have AI reword it. It is pretty good at rewriting something for say the 8th grade level. Even then, you’ll still end up editing quite a bit.
Back to church.
Consider this: How long would you attend a church knowing the pastor’s sermons were AI-generated rather than prayed over with spiritual discernment?
Using AI Responsibly in Ministry
AI can be valuable in several areas of ministry when used appropriately:
Administration: AI can organize volunteers, schedule events, set up email responses, answer routine questions with chatbots, and analyze outreach results.
Outreach/Evangelism: Use AI for social media scheduling and analysis, creating graphics and videos. There’s a learning curve involved with this. AI can’t replace personal insights about your congregation, outreach needs, and internal ministries.
Congregational Care: AI can respond to Prayer requests, letting people know what will happen next. It can also offer resources on specific topics, though personal follow-up remains essential. Personal interaction is still the best pastoral care out there.
Sermon Preparation: While AI can write sermons, relying on the Holy Spirit is far better. Use AI to create outlines, find scripture references, or gather concordance information. As I said earlier, you can also use it to reword something you’ve written. Just be prepared to edit.
What is God and the Holy Spirit leading you to share with your congregation?
Try it yourself.
Ask AI to create a sermon on John 1:1-8. It will be structured, but won’t address your church’s unique context. Again, you’ll have to edit.
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