Ron Aulbach

Artificial Intelligence (AI), once a topic of wild science fiction, has now become a reality. Church leaders are jumping in headfirst with no shortage of applications. For instance, AI chatbots can provide immediate responses to queries about service times or upcoming events. Automated emails can deliver personalized spiritual content to new attenders. AI can even help analyze trends in attendance or giving patterns to aid in strategic planning. While these applications may enhance productivity and efficiency, they also raise significant questions about the role and boundaries of AI in faith-based practices.

First, the Concerns

The first concern is an issue of ethics. As Christians, we uphold the values of love, honesty, and respect for all. To date, AI does not operate on these principles. Nor does it fully protect a persons privacy and data security. The potential misuse of AI technologies in ethical coercion are not hard to imagine. Second is the concern of how technology could replace or severely limit human interaction. While AI can undoubtedly aid in church administration, it cannot replace a physical human being and the capacity to empathize with the real concerns of another human being. The cornerstone of faith is our personal relationship with God. AI might make us more efficient but it could never make us more connected to God. There is also the consideration of spiritual content developed by AI. Sermons for example, are more than just words. They are the means through which pastors share divine truth and spiritual applications. While AI might assist in organizing notes or researching biblical passages, it lacks the discernment of God’s word for the people in the seats. Lastly, AI could encourage a transition towards a more logic-based, analytical approach to spirituality, undermining the essence of faith which is based on belief and not solely on empirical evidence.

What’s Next?

While AI is fascinating to study, when it comes to the church we need a responsible and limited use. AI might offer productivity, but it also poses a deep risk to what God intended the church to be: People. The church isn’t just about the building or the technology we use, it’s about the people, the community, and most importantly, our shared faith. Jesus came as humanity to live and move with us. “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood” (John 1:14 MSG).