When the noise of busyness fades, we can finally focus on what matters — authentic relationships, deep conversations and transformational moments that define ministry. The temptation to address every distraction fuels a performance-driven person. Without exception, the biggest obstacle to successful ministry from my green perspective has been administrative responsibilities. I feel “productive” when marking multiple tasks off my to-do list. The real work of ministry (e.g., nurturing souls, fostering community and sharing the gospel) often waits behind weekly duties. I’ve begun experimenting with technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure the ministry comes before the administration.
AI is here, and it’s not going away. Just as people once resisted email and text messaging, AI will soon become a regular part of our daily tasks and productivity. The problem users will face in adopting new technology will likely concern ensuring our professional ethics keep up with technological advancements. Just because a tool can be used doesn’t mean it should be used.
How do leaders, still learning and growing, navigate to the greener pastures AI potentially provides? By clearly articulating our values as shaped by Scripture, we can wield the tool of technology wisely. After all, success in ministry goes beyond efficiency and ultimately concerns our faithfulness to the path God has set before us.
Ethical Concerns
Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd, the one who knows His sheep by name and lays down His life for them (John 10:11-14). He contrasts this with the hired hand, who runs when danger comes because he doesn’t care for the sheep. AI, at best, is a hired hand. It can be helpful and efficient but ultimately remains impersonal. It can assist in many ministry areas but cannot replace the shepherd. If we start handing over too much of our daily responsibilities to AI, we risk turning personal ministry into automated efficiency. That is a dangerous trade-off.
I have three primary concerns about using AI in ministry:
• Plagiarism and Unoriginality — Whether used in a sermon, devotional or general writings, a ministry’s content should be the product of personal study, prayer and reflection. While AI can assist with research, synthesis, delivery structure and tone, it should not replace the spiritual disciplines that produce spiritually edifying content.
• Losing the Human Connection —Ministry revolves around relationships when done well. If AI starts to handle the bulk of our communication and engagement with people, we neglect the personal touch that ultimately lays the foundation of discipleship. How we adopt technology in our lives should ensure these tools support our relationships rather than replace them.
• Outright Deception — With AI’s ability to generate realistic images, voices and even videos of real people saying things they never actually said — the potential uses of modern technology are dizzying. In ministry, truthfulness matters. Even the perception of deception can undermine an entire ministry. We must establish safeguards to avoid all forms of deception while leveraging new tools.
Guiding Values and Uses for AI
While my short list of concerns hardly breaches the dam of valid issues that AI presents, it highlights what should become the topic of conversation for healthy adoption in the future. Since AI isn’t going away, we must ensure it serves the mission rather than replacing it. Greener Pastures are found where we filter the use of AI through our core values.
Everyone should use four personal values as a sieve for their AI exploration — human connection, truthfulness, creativity and integrity. While AI can organize outreach lists and draft email responses, valuing human connection ensures that we maintain personal follow-ups and keep the ministry people-driven. If we value truthfulness, misleading content should never be used in ministry. Even if used well, such content inadvertently damages reputations and reliability. While AI can be helpful in brainstorming, ethical users should recognize that real creativity will always be decisively human. Finally, AI should not replace the effort of authentic learning and study. There are no shortcuts to personal growth.
Considering those values, some exciting possibilities exist for the responsible use of AI in ministry:
• Study Assistance—One of the most exciting uses of AI is its ability to gather references, summarize concepts, and stratify content. If it supports study rather than replaces it, AI can be a helpful tool for personal study, lesson preparation and even sermon prep.
• Administrative Efficiency—Project management tools have been around much longer than AI’s popularity. However, the use of AI integrations for the normative-size church pastor without a colleague in the office cannot be understated. By allowing AI to help with routine tasks, pastors can focus on personal involvement and investment in people’s lives.
• Evangelism & Outreach — I have not personally experimented with AI chatbots. However, I’m encouraged by their potential. Their ability to answer basic faith questions or automate follow-ups seems encouraging. It will be important to remember that while AI can initiate engagement, real people should handle discipleship.
AI as a Tool, not a Substitute
The future landscape of technology will never be able to replace praying for people, sitting with the grieving or preaching the Word with conviction. Artificial Intelligence can make our tasks easier, but we must be leery of relying on AI to the extent it becomes a substitute for our calling. Technology should strengthen the ministry without eroding authenticity.
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Shepherding with Sensibility: Navigating AI in Ministry
When the noise of busyness fades, we can finally focus on what matters — authentic relationships, deep conversations and transformational moments that define ministry. The temptation to address every distraction fuels a performance-driven person. Without exception, the biggest obstacle to successful ministry from my green perspective has been administrative responsibilities. I feel “productive” when marking multiple tasks off my to-do list. The real work of ministry (e.g., nurturing souls, fostering community and sharing the gospel) often waits behind weekly duties. I’ve begun experimenting with technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure the ministry comes before the administration.
AI is here, and it’s not going away. Just as people once resisted email and text messaging, AI will soon become a regular part of our daily tasks and productivity. The problem users will face in adopting new technology will likely concern ensuring our professional ethics keep up with technological advancements. Just because a tool can be used doesn’t mean it should be used.
How do leaders, still learning and growing, navigate to the greener pastures AI potentially provides? By clearly articulating our values as shaped by Scripture, we can wield the tool of technology wisely. After all, success in ministry goes beyond efficiency and ultimately concerns our faithfulness to the path God has set before us.
Ethical Concerns
Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd, the one who knows His sheep by name and lays down His life for them (John 10:11-14). He contrasts this with the hired hand, who runs when danger comes because he doesn’t care for the sheep. AI, at best, is a hired hand. It can be helpful and efficient but ultimately remains impersonal. It can assist in many ministry areas but cannot replace the shepherd. If we start handing over too much of our daily responsibilities to AI, we risk turning personal ministry into automated efficiency. That is a dangerous trade-off.
I have three primary concerns about using AI in ministry:
• Plagiarism and Unoriginality — Whether used in a sermon, devotional or general writings, a ministry’s content should be the product of personal study, prayer and reflection. While AI can assist with research, synthesis, delivery structure and tone, it should not replace the spiritual disciplines that produce spiritually edifying content.
• Losing the Human Connection —Ministry revolves around relationships when done well. If AI starts to handle the bulk of our communication and engagement with people, we neglect the personal touch that ultimately lays the foundation of discipleship. How we adopt technology in our lives should ensure these tools support our relationships rather than replace them.
• Outright Deception — With AI’s ability to generate realistic images, voices and even videos of real people saying things they never actually said — the potential uses of modern technology are dizzying. In ministry, truthfulness matters. Even the perception of deception can undermine an entire ministry. We must establish safeguards to avoid all forms of deception while leveraging new tools.
Guiding Values and Uses for AI
While my short list of concerns hardly breaches the dam of valid issues that AI presents, it highlights what should become the topic of conversation for healthy adoption in the future. Since AI isn’t going away, we must ensure it serves the mission rather than replacing it. Greener Pastures are found where we filter the use of AI through our core values.
Everyone should use four personal values as a sieve for their AI exploration — human connection, truthfulness, creativity and integrity. While AI can organize outreach lists and draft email responses, valuing human connection ensures that we maintain personal follow-ups and keep the ministry people-driven. If we value truthfulness, misleading content should never be used in ministry. Even if used well, such content inadvertently damages reputations and reliability. While AI can be helpful in brainstorming, ethical users should recognize that real creativity will always be decisively human. Finally, AI should not replace the effort of authentic learning and study. There are no shortcuts to personal growth.
Considering those values, some exciting possibilities exist for the responsible use of AI in ministry:
• Study Assistance—One of the most exciting uses of AI is its ability to gather references, summarize concepts, and stratify content. If it supports study rather than replaces it, AI can be a helpful tool for personal study, lesson preparation and even sermon prep.
• Administrative Efficiency—Project management tools have been around much longer than AI’s popularity. However, the use of AI integrations for the normative-size church pastor without a colleague in the office cannot be understated. By allowing AI to help with routine tasks, pastors can focus on personal involvement and investment in people’s lives.
• Evangelism & Outreach — I have not personally experimented with AI chatbots. However, I’m encouraged by their potential. Their ability to answer basic faith questions or automate follow-ups seems encouraging. It will be important to remember that while AI can initiate engagement, real people should handle discipleship.
AI as a Tool, not a Substitute
The future landscape of technology will never be able to replace praying for people, sitting with the grieving or preaching the Word with conviction. Artificial Intelligence can make our tasks easier, but we must be leery of relying on AI to the extent it becomes a substitute for our calling. Technology should strengthen the ministry without eroding authenticity.
