While AI offers exciting opportunities for ministry, its use also raises important ethical questions. From sermon writing to administrative tasks, church leaders must carefully weigh the benefits and potential pitfalls of integrating AI into their work.

This article explores the ethical considerations of AI in ministry and offers practical guardrails for its responsible use. First, you must understand the role of the preacher/. Faithful pastors are crafting messages drawn from the Scriptures, guided by the Holy Spirit, and contextual for their congregation.

Now, if we are honest, that’s not the case with a lot of preaching, which often circumvents these necessary steps in favor of haste or convenience. To that end, the introduction of AI into a pastor’s sermon writing can make an existing problem worse. As such, let me encourage you to read no further if you are looking for ways to avoid the basic calling of Scripture, Spirit and your congregation. (You can read my series on the importance of these things in my series on expository preaching.)

But, if you are still reading, here are some ways to use AI ethically in church.

AI as a Ministry Sous Chef

Think of AI as the sous chef in your ministry kitchen. While it can assist with operations, resource curation and workflow optimization, the pastor remains the “head chef” responsible for vision and execution. For example, AI can automate visitor follow-ups or help with finding sermon illustrations, but it should not replace the prayerful and Spirit-led process of creating a sermon.

(I partner with and wrote a larger series on this .)

The Plagiarism Problem

So what are the ethical concerns, beyond what I have already mentioned? Well, AI’s reliance on data sourced from the internet introduces risks such as plagiarism, bias and inaccuracy. Church leaders must ensure that AI-generated content aligns with their ministry’s values and stated doctrine and avoids unintentional errors.

A pastor who relies too heavily on AI for sermon writing risks compromising the authenticity and theological depth of their messages. For example, if you ask ChatGPT for Ed Stetzer quotes on the gospel (which, I don’t imagine you would, but let’s pretend), about half the quotes would be from someone else. So, don’t make me look like I stole a quote about the gospel from Tim Keller, please.

Guardrails for AI in Ministry

To ethically integrate AI into ministry, pastors should ask the following questions:

  1. Is this task appropriate for automation? Will AI free up time for personal ministry, or will it create distance between leaders and their congregation?

  2. What are the risks if errors occur? Are safeguards in place to catch and correct mistakes?

  3. Will this enhance or diminish personal connections? AI should streamline administrative tasks to allow pastors to focus on people, not replace human interaction.

  4. Are we scaling AI use at a healthy pace? Over-enthusiasm for new technology can lead to shortcuts that undermine the ministry’s core values.

If these questions raise concerns, it may be wise to modify or reconsider the planned use of AI.

AI and Sermon Writing: A Balanced Approach

preparation is a deeply spiritual process, requiring time in the Word and reliance on the Holy Spirit. While AI can assist with ideas, outlines and illustrations, pastors should resist the temptation to let it take over the creative process. Using AI ethically means allowing it to function as a research assistant, not the primary author.

Overreliance on AI

Let me enumerate some of these issues that are already happening to some pastors. They include:

  1. Loss of Spiritual Growth: The process of wrestling with Scripture and sermon preparation is formative for the preacher. Outsourcing this to AI risks bypassing essential spiritual growth.

  2. Shallow Theology: AI struggles with nuance and depth, leading to sermons that lack the richness found in Spirit-led study.

  3. Risk of Plagiarism: AI’s content generation often pulls from uncredited sources, making it easy to unintentionally plagiarize.

  4. Disconnection from the Congregation: AI cannot understand the specific needs and experiences of a church community, which are vital for effective preaching.

Practical Tips for Ethical AI Use

  1. Always review AI-generated content to ensure accuracy and alignment with biblical principles.

  2. Begin with small, well-defined applications of AI and expand gradually.

  3. Maintain transparency about how AI is being used in your ministry.

  4. Regularly evaluate the impact of AI on your ministry and spiritual life.

  5. Remember that AI is an assistant, not a replacement. Its role is to support, not overshadow, your calling as a church leader.

Conclusion: Balancing Innovation and Integrity

AI has the potential to transform ministry by enhancing efficiency and multiplying impact. However, its use must be guided by ethical principles and a commitment to preserving the personal, Spirit-led nature of church leadership.

By implementing thoughtful guardrails and maintaining a balanced approach, can leverage AI as a powerful tool for the glory of God and the growth of his Kingdom.

and more of Ed Stetzer's writing are available on .