The Best (And Worst) Ways Church AI is Being Used
Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now. In homes, in offices, and increasingly, in ministry. From generating graphics to writing devotionals, AI tools have made their way into the daily life of many churches.
Adopting technology like AI should be a strategic process that aligns with the church’s mission and values.
For some, this shift is exciting. For others, it raises concerns. Church leaders are asking important questions: Can artificial intelligence support ministry without replacing human connection? What should we use it for, and where should we draw the line? AI is not only a technological advancement but is also shaping culture and influencing the way people live their lives, impacting daily routines and social interactions.
The truth is, church AI is already here. And like any tool, how it’s used makes all the difference. Some strategies are clearly helpful for advancing the church’s unique mission and responsibilities. Others raise red flags. And a few may be more harmful than helpful if we’re not careful.
In this article, we’re ranking some of the most common ways churches are using AI today, from sermon prep to worship songs, and offering some thoughts on which are helpful and which might be worth reconsidering. Church leaders should be thoughtful in their thinking about how AI fits into their ministry, ensuring it serves the church’s values and goals.
Using AI in the Church
When used with spiritual discernment, AI can be a ministry multiplier. It can support overworked teams, spark creativity, streamline church communications, and assist various ministries within the church. It’s already helping pastors write emails, design sermon graphics, and even repurpose Sunday service content into captioned clips for social media.
But AI is not without its limitations. These systems rely on training data, which can reflect theological biases or lack biblical context. Additionally, data privacy is crucial when using AI in church settings—churches must safeguard sensitive congregation information and ensure transparency. And while AI can assist in surface-level tasks, it cannot replace human intelligence, pastoral care, or the relational depth of real community.
Churches that embrace AI technology need to do so carefully, ensuring that every decision upholds biblical truth and serves people first. AI should support, not replace, human decision making in ministry. As Christians, we are called to use technology in ways that reflect our faith and values.
Ranking System
To help church leaders make sense of where AI helps and where it might hurt, we’ve created a simple ranking system for the strategies below:
1. Ministry Multipliers
These are AI uses that clearly support the mission of the church, save time, and do not compromise on theology or connection. Use these freely and wisely.
2. Faith Flags
These uses can be helpful in the right context, but may raise concerns if left unchecked. Use these with guardrails, human oversight, and clear purpose.
3. Artificial Overreach
These AI strategies may appear helpful, but they risk replacing core values like human connection, discipleship, or biblical teaching. Use with extreme caution, if at all.
With that in mind, let’s explore the most common AI strategies churches are using and how they stack up.
Ranking 9 AI Strategies for Church
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how churches operate and engage with their communities. In this article, we will explore the top AI strategies for churches, including practical examples of how AI is being used in church settings. AI can also assist with research for sermon preparation and ministry planning, helping leaders gather information and analyze texts more efficiently.
1. Sermon Outlining and Brainstorming
Many pastors are using AI tools like ChatGPT to assist with sermon prep. By prompting the AI with a passage or theme, it can offer outlines, main ideas, or even suggested Scripture references. AI can also help pastors study the Bible more efficiently, generating insights and research that inform and enrich their sermons. This helps pastors break through writer’s block or explore different teaching angles.
When used properly, this is a form of AI assist, not sermon automation. The pastor remains the voice behind the message. The Spirit leads. AI supports the process, not replaces it.
The key is to use it as a starting point, not as the sermon itself. With prayer, study, and reflection layered on top, AI can be a useful assistant in delivering biblical teachings clearly and effectively.
2. Prayer Request Responses
Some churches are now using AI to respond to digital prayer requests submitted through church websites or apps. The tool generates a thoughtful message automatically, sometimes offering a relevant verse or encouraging word. AI can also automate email responses to prayer requests, streamlining communication for church staff and reducing repetitive administrative tasks.
This raises an important question: Is this real pastoral care, or just automation?
The upside is that AI can help churches respond to every request quickly. The downside is that these responses may feel impersonal, especially when someone is going through something deeply personal or painful.
AI can support this process, but should never be the only response. Let it assist with triage, not replace the pastor or prayer team.
3. Small Group Questions
Creating discussion questions for small groups can be time-consuming. Some church leaders use AI to generate questions based on Sunday’s message or a chosen Scripture. This can help volunteer leaders or overextended staff prepare faster.
The content usually needs review and editing, especially to ensure theological accuracy and context.
It’s a helpful free tool for idea generation, but not a substitute for deep understanding of Scripture or the specific needs of a group.
4. Worship Songs
Yes, AI can write lyrics and compose music. It can even generate entire worship songs in the style of popular Christian artists.
But there’s a danger here.
Worship is not just creative content. It’s a spiritual expression. Writing songs of praise requires prayer, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and a deep connection to the heart of God. AI, no matter how sophisticated, cannot experience that.
Even if AI-generated music sounds good and has the right background music, it risks removing the divine inspiration that fuels worship.
Let worship be Spirit-led, not software-generated.
5. Event Graphics
One of the most obvious and widely accepted uses of AI is in design. Using an AI tool like Canva AI, Adobe Firefly, or Sora allows churches to create event graphics, sermon series designs, or social posts quickly and with professional quality. For example, a church can use Canva AI to instantly generate a sermon series graphic by entering the theme and preferred style, saving time and ensuring a polished result.
This is especially helpful for churches without a designer on staff.
Because it does not compromise theology or relationship, this kind of AI use is practical, accessible, and effective. It also aligns well with a strong church marketing strategy.
6. Writing Devotionals
AI tools can generate devotionals with a few prompts, pulling together a Scripture passage, a reflection, and an application. This can be useful for daily emails, group study materials, or youth ministry content.
But similar to small group questions, the output needs editing. AI doesn’t fully understand biblical truth and may introduce shallow theology if left unchecked.
If you’re using AI for devotionals, always review the content and add your own pastoral insights to ensure it serves your community well.
7. Pastoral Chatbots
Some organizations are experimenting with AI-powered chatbots that provide spiritual advice or counseling on church websites. These bots simulate conversations and offer guidance on issues like marriage, anxiety, or theology.
This crosses a line.
Pastoral care requires empathy, discernment, and a listening ear. A chatbot cannot walk with someone through grief. It cannot pray in unity. It cannot provide counsel rooted in relationship.
While chatbots can help with FAQs or general info, they should never replace the sacred role of shepherding.
8. Turning Sermons into Reels
One of the best uses of AI today is in repurposing content. Tools like Descript, Pictory, or Opus can take full-length sermons and turn them into video clips or captioned clips ready for Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts. AI-powered platforms also enable churches to create engaging videos for social media outreach, such as sermon visuals, promotional content, or testimonial clips, making it easier to connect with your audience.
This helps extend the reach of your Sunday service and reinforce key messages throughout the week.
The AI handles editing, trimming, and captioning, allowing you to focus on what matters most: reaching people with truth and hope.
9. Writing Emails
Emails are a key part of effective church communications, but they take time to write well. AI can help generate drafts for weekly updates, event invitations, or volunteer reminders. Additionally, AI tools can analyze responses to email invitations, helping churches monitor attendance trends and better understand congregation engagement.
This is a great time-saver for busy church leaders, especially when paired with templates and review. Some AI email tools even offer a free plan, making them accessible for churches with limited budgets.
As long as the tone and message stay authentic to your voice and values, this is a smart and efficient use of AI technology.
What’s Next for AI and the Church?
As AI tools become more common, churches have a choice: ignore the technology, adopt it blindly, or approach it with wisdom.
The best strategy is the third option.
When used with discernment, AI can support your team, stretch your resources, and amplify your impact. But it should never replace prayer, study, and genuine human connection.
Church leaders must remember that not everything that’s possible is profitable. Let AI assist your ministry, but never lead it. Let it enhance creativity, but never replace calling.
The future of ministry will involve technology. But the future of the church still rests on Christ, community, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
That is something no algorithm can replicate.