Faithful Innovation: Harnessing AI for the Future of Christian Ministry

What Every Pastor, Minister, Leader, and Christian Needs to Know About AI and Its Revolutionary Potential for the Future of Faithful Ministry --Introduction

AI Wants To Come To Your Church

“We are becoming the servants in thought, as in action, of the machine we have created to serve us.” – John Kenneth Galbraith

“The human spirit must prevail over technology.” – Albert Einstein

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s woven into the fabric of daily life. From predictive text in emails to curated recommendations on streaming platforms, AI invisibly shapes our choices—what we watch, what we read, and even what we think we might need. Whether you realize it or not, AI is the engine behind much of today’s technology.

In early December, I bought a countertop food composter for our kitchen. Once I ordered it, the retail store undertook the task to build a profile on me, “thinking” I was on a health kick. (I was. After all, it was near the first of the year.)

Then, in future shopping moments, the retail giant began showing me other things it thought I might be interested in: Above-ground garden boxes. Then, an ad for vegetable seeds. A few days later, I was shown some gummy vitamins. Then, a yoga mat. Then, a book about plants. AI not only knew me, but it actually started to lead me down a consumer pathway. It’s called a funnel and it sucks.

This raises many questions. Can our seemingly insignificant choices, like buying a kitchen appliance, ripple out and shape our entire identity in the eyes of an all-seeing algorithm? If so, well, then. Yikes!

And in a world where AI seems to know us better than we know ourselves—I really did want that above-ground garden box— what does this reveal about the nature of free will and the malleability of human desires?

But Wait, There's More

This reality extends far beyond entertainment. AI governs how we interact with technology in education, healthcare, and creative industries. It has even entered the realm of church leadership and ministry. For pastors, students of theology, and church leaders, the emergence of AI is both an opportunity and a challenge, as we will see.

But questions naturally arise, and pastors, in particular, may feel unsettled:

• Is AI capable of creating truly original ideas?

• Can a machine provide answers to spiritual questions?

• Is it possible for the Spirit of God to “hover” over a laptop and bring insight to sermon preparation?

• If AI generates content, whose is it?

• Can an algorithm write, design, and even pray prayers?

• How can pastors use AI without surrendering their theology or compromising their convictions?

These questions are not trivial, and they demand thoughtful exploration, and throughout this eight-part series, I will address these concerns. Ultimately, this series will focus on what AI means for ministry and how pastors can begin using the technology faithfully. We are in uncharted territory.

Are We Luddites?

Pastors wear many hats—teacher, shepherd, administrator, and communicator. Their time is divided between reading, writing, studying, speaking, and reaching people. These core activities align perfectly with AI’s capabilities, making it a natural partner in ministry.

In other words, AI offers tangible benefits that can lighten the load without replacing the uniquely human aspects of pastoral care.

However, some will not be convinced of the benefits of AI. But let me prod you a little bit with a humorous illustration.

Imagine you’ve been called a Luddite by your workout partner at the gym. He said, “Pastor, you are a Luddite!” You didn’t know how to respond. You heard the term but were unsure if it was an insult.

What would you do?

The old-school solution would involve driving to a major library in a nearby metropolis, searching for the Oxford English Dictionary (a hefty 137.72 pounds), and painstakingly looking up the term.

A quicker, modern alternative? You’d pull out your smartphone, ask your virtual assistant, and instantly learn that a Luddite resists technological advancements. Then, your smartphone immediately sends you to a wiki page where you see the term used in a sentence.

"a small-minded Luddite resisting progress"

The verdict: Yes, you’ve been insulted.

If you’ve relied on your cell phone instead of the paper dictionary, you’ve already used AI. (Will your phone also remember that you didn’t know what the word meant and send you an ad for a five-week online course guaranteed to boost your vocabulary?)

But AI’s potential extends far beyond defining words—it’s a powerful assistant in ministry.

Here are some early ways pastors can benefit from AI:

• Managing Membership Rolls: AI can help maintain updated records, track attendance, and provide insights into congregational engagement.

• Teaching Doctrine to Children: AI-powered tools can create interactive, age-appropriate lessons that make Christian doctrine engaging and accessible.

• Extending Sermons’ Reach: AI can transcribe, summarize, and repurpose sermons for blogs, podcasts, or social media, allowing messages to live beyond the pulpit.

• Streamlining Administrative Tasks: AI can handle scheduling, generate follow-up emails, and draft reports, freeing pastors to focus on relationships and teaching.

• Improving Outreach: AI can analyze local demographics to identify community needs and craft effective outreach strategies.

• Enhancing Accessibility: AI tools can generate subtitles, translate content, and create audio formats, ensuring sermons and resources are available to diverse audiences.

In these ways and more, AI can be a powerful ally, augmenting the efforts of pastors while preserving their unique voice and calling.

The Challenges of AI in Ministry

Despite its benefits, pastors are right to approach AI with caution. AI has no faith, convictions, or soul. It cannot discern spiritual truth or grasp the nuances of theology. It functions purely as a data processor, which makes its limitations starkly clear.

For example, if you ask an AI platform to explain the differences between Roman Catholic and Southern Baptist views on baptism, it will provide a detailed, neutral comparison. However, if you press it to choose a side, it will remain agnostic, as it were.

AI does not hold theological convictions; it is a tool, not a believer.

This neutrality raises concerns for pastors who rely too heavily on AI. Could its use dilute the integrity of church work? A pastor’s role is more than conveying information—it’s about leading people in faith, offering spiritual guidance, and embodying Christ’s love. These responsibilities cannot be delegated to a machine.

Additionally, overdependence on AI risks losing the personal touch. While AI can organize ideas and assist in structuring content, it cannot preach with conviction, lead with faith, or provide the Spirit-led insight that defines pastoral ministry.

A Year of Learning and Reflection

Over the past year, I’ve immersed myself in learning about AI—its capabilities, limitations, and implications for the Church. What I’ve discovered is its enormous potential to enhance ministry when approached thoughtfully and with discernment.

AI is not a substitute for ministry but a complement to it. It can amplify efforts wisely without compromising a pastor’s calling.

This journey is why I’m launching this series on Substack. I aim to share insights, practical applications, and reflections on how AI can serve pastors and church leaders. Along the way, I’ll address ethical concerns and offer guidance on using AI responsibly and effectively. I invite you to follow along, significantly as a Paid Subscriber, to gain the full benefit of these conversations.

A Few Disclaimers

I want to mention that I’m neither a tech expert, a scholar, an ethicist, nor a theologian. My only attempt at a computer science class in college ended in a swift withdrawal after the first day. But I am a practitioner—a pastor of four decades with a passion for biblical truth, clear communication, and meaningful connection with people. My approach to AI is practical and rooted in a desire to see churches thrive.

AI is neither a magic wand nor a threat to be feared. It’s a tool that can be used for the glory of God and the welfare of His people. I hope that through this series, we can explore its potential together with open minds and discerning hearts.

Next Time

This series, Faithful Innovation: Harnessing AI for the Future of Ministry, will explore the transformative potential of AI in pastoral work and church leadership while addressing its challenges.

In the next episode I will explain how AI works and how the term AI is unfortunate. I'll examine practical ways AI can assist pastors and churches in tasks like sermon preparation, administration, and outreach. From there, we’ll address some ethical concerns of AI, such as issues of dependency, privacy, and responsible usage.

We’ll explore some theological questions, asking whether AI can truly engage with faith and spiritual truth. We’ll also consider how AI can extend the reach of ministry beyond the pulpit with written materials, books, pamphlets, and posts on social media.

With a focus on the future, we’ll discuss AI’s role in Christian education and discipleship, imagining how it might shape the church.

Finally, we’ll give a practical guide for pastors and leaders, offering principles and practices for integrating AI into ministry responsibly and faithfully. This journey will equip pastors and all Christians with the insights and tools they need to engage with AI thoughtfully, creatively, and with a commitment to God’s purposes.

I’d love your comments on the subject. If you have any expertise to share, please let me know. If you have discovered effective and faithful ways to us AI, I’d love to hear from you. Please use the comments or email me directly.

It’s a tall order. And I hope you will come along.

If you’d like to keep this series open and available for many people, please subscribe.

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The Rev. David Roseberry, an ordained Anglican priest with over 40 years of pastoral experience, offers leadership services to pastors, churches, and Christian writers. He is an accomplished author whose books are available on Amazon. Rev. Roseberry is the Executive Director of LeaderWorks, where his work and resources can be found.