It has only been in recent years that churches have embraced church technology tools to help them connect with members and the broader community. From livestreaming services to using apps for communication, digital tools are now a normal part of church life. One of the newest—and most talked-about—additions to this growing toolkit is artificial intelligence (AI). But should your church use AI tools for ministry? This question invites church leaders to think prayerfully and practically about how these tools fit into their mission.
What Are AI Church Technology Tools?
As nearly everyone knows by now, AI tools are Large Language Model tools to analyze data and perform tasks that often require human intelligence, such as learning patterns, generating text, or responding to questions. In ministry settings, this could include:
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Drafting sermon outlines with AI writing assistants.
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Answering common questions via a chatbot on the church website.
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Managing and responding to prayer requests more efficiently.
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Automatically generating study questions or devotionals based on Scripture.
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Offering language translation for multilingual congregations.
These church technology tools promise to save time and increase outreach. But as with any innovation, they come with both opportunities and concerns.
RELATED: The Ethics of Using AI in Sermon Writing
Potential Benefits for Ministry
For many churches—especially those with small staffs—AI can be a helpful support tool, not a replacement for human ministry. Here are some of the benefits that churches may experience when using AI wisely:
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Increased Efficiency
AI tools can handle routine administrative tasks quickly and without fatigue. This can free up church staff to focus more on spiritual care, outreach, and discipleship. -
Improved Communication
Chatbots and automated message systems can help churches answer common questions like service times, event details, or directions. This keeps new visitors from feeling ignored and can be a helpful part of hospitality. -
Creative Support for Pastors and Leaders
AI writing tools can help pastors generate ideas for sermons, blog posts, or devotionals. While the final message should always be Spirit-led and pastor-approved, AI can help overcome writer’s block or suggest new ways of framing a biblical truth. -
Accessibility and Inclusion
Some AI programs offer real-time translation or voice-to-text features, which can make church materials more accessible to people who speak different languages or who have hearing challenges.
