The real question is not whether we should use AI in the church—it is how we can use it responsibly to support and enhance our church’s mission. By addressing the potential pitfalls and adopting a thoughtful, ethical approach, AI can be a valuable tool for modernizing and enriching church life without compromising the human connections and values that are at our core.

Almost everywhere you go today, you are bound to hear about AI (Artificial Intelligence). Whether it’s in your local barber shop or in more formal environments like office spaces, etc. The church is no exception and rightly so. AI is helping to improve virtually every space within our various teams whether it is writing a social media post or creating a calendar for our admin teams. As someone deeply involved in both the world of AI and my faith, I have seen firsthand the excitement and, at times, the hesitation that comes with the idea of integrating artificial intelligence into church operations. I understand why some might wonder, “Should we really be using AI in church?” While it’s a valid concern, I believe the more important question is, “How can we use AI responsibly in the church?”

In this article, I hope to highlight some of the potential pitfalls of using AI in a church setting and discuss how we can navigate these challenges in a way that aligns with our values and strengthens our communities.

Possible Pitfalls of AI in Church

1. Loss of Human Connection

One of my biggest concerns about AI is the risk of losing the personal touch that is so central to ministry. The church is where we come together to worship, support one another, and build a community. If we rely too heavily on AI, there’s a real danger that we could erode the very fabric of what makes our church a community.

Perhaps, you have started using (or maybe considering) AI-driven chatbots for pastoral care. While these tools can be efficient in answering basic questions or even providing scripture references, they lack the empathy and understanding that a human pastor brings to a conversation. Imagine a congregant going through a difficult time and reaching out to the church for support, only to be met with an automated response. This kind of interaction can feel cold and impersonal, and could leave the person feeling even more isolated.

Another example is AI-based sermon generators, which some churches might use to create sermon outlines based on trending topics or congregational data. While this might seem like a time-saving tool, it can also strip away the deep, personal reflection that a pastor invests in crafting a message that speaks to the specific needs of their congregation. The nuances of personal experience, spiritual discernment, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit can’t be replicated by an algorithm.

In a real-world case, I observed a church that implemented an AI system to manage visitor follow-ups. The system automatically sent emails and messages to first-time visitors. While this ensured that no one was overlooked, it also removed the personal touch of a pastor or church member reaching out individually. What could have been an opportunity to make a meaningful connection turned into a routine, impersonal interaction.

We must be careful not to let technology take over these vital roles. The warmth, empathy, and human connection that church leaders provide are irreplaceable. AI can be a useful tool to support these efforts, but it should never replace the genuine, person-to-person ministry that lies at the heart of the church’s mission.

2. Privacy Concerns

As a data scientist, I am keenly aware of the importance of data privacy. AI often depends on collecting and analyzing data to function effectively, but in a church setting, this can involve sensitive personal information. If we’re not careful, this data could be mishandled, leading to breaches of trust and privacy.

I can imagine a scenario where a church uses AI to analyze prayer requests or track attendance, but without proper safeguards, this information could be exposed or misused, causing harm and distrust among congregants.

Consider a church using an AI-driven system to manage prayer requests. The system might analyze the content of these requests to identify common themes or areas of need within the congregation. While this can help the church respond more effectively to its members, it also involves processing deeply personal information. If the system isn’t properly secured, or if the data is shared without adequate safeguards, there’s a risk that this sensitive information could be exposed, leading to a serious breach of confidentiality.

Another use case involves AI systems that track attendance or participation in church activities. These systems can provide valuable insights, such as identifying members who may need additional support or who are at risk of disengaging from the community. However, this also means collecting detailed records of individuals’ church attendance, their involvement in events, and potentially even their donations. If this data were to be accessed by unauthorized individuals or used inappropriately, it could violate members’ privacy and erode their trust in the church.

In a real-world scenario, there are cases where churches implemented AI-powered platforms to manage congregational communications. These platforms collected data on members’ preferences, engagement levels, and even personal information shared during interactions. Without strong data governance policies, this data was at risk of being misused or inadequately protected, raising concerns about privacy breaches.

In the context of a church, where trust and confidentiality are paramount, we must ensure that any AI tools used are designed and managed with the highest standards of data privacy. This means implementing robust security measures, being transparent with congregants about how their data is used, and ensuring that all data handling practices align with ethical standards. By doing so, we can harness the power of AI while safeguarding the personal information that our church members entrust to us.

3. Ethical Dilemmas

AI can sometimes function in ways that aren’t entirely transparent, leading to potential ethical dilemmas. For instance, imagine a church using an AI system to decide how resources are allocated or who receives financial assistance. While the system might be designed to optimize efficiency, it could inadvertently prioritize certain criteria over others, such as income level or past attendance, without fully considering the nuanced needs of individuals.

Imagine a church implementing an AI-driven tool to manage its welfare fund with the aim of ensuring assistance was distributed fairly. Depending on the data that was used in building the AI model, the algorithm may favour members who fit certain demographic profiles, unintentionally overlooking others who were equally in need but didn’t meet the system’s predefined criteria thus misaligning with what should be a church’s values – compassion and inclusivity.

This is only an example and it highlights the importance of ensuring that AI systems used in church settings are guided by our Christian values. We must be vigilant in monitoring these tools, ensuring transparency in how decisions are made, and regularly reviewing the outcomes to confirm that they truly reflect our commitment to serving all members of our community with fairness and grace.

4. Digital Divide

Majority of our churches are diverse in terms of demographics and therefore, not everyone in our congregations will have the same level of access to or comfort with technology. By introducing AI into our churches, we risk marginalizing those who are less tech-savvy or who don’t have access to the necessary technology.

I have worked with churches where new tech tools were introduced, only to find that some members felt left out or disconnected. We need to be mindful of this and ensure that our efforts to modernize don’t unintentionally create a divide within our church family.

Using AI Responsibly in Church

While these concerns are real, I do not believe they mean we should avoid AI altogether. That is definitely not the argument in this post. If anything. Instead, they call for a responsible and thoughtful approach to integrating AI into church life. Here’s how I think we can do it:

1. Enhance, Don’t Replace

AI should be used to enhance, not replace, human interaction. For instance, AI can help with administrative tasks, giving church leaders more time to focus on pastoral care and personal interactions with congregants. It can also provide insights to better understand and address the needs of our community.

2. Prioritize Privacy and Security

We must take great care in handling personal data. Implementing robust data security measures and being transparent about how data is collected, used, and protected is critical. We need to ensure that any AI tools we use comply with privacy regulations and ethical standards.

Perhaps, depending on the size of your church, get one of your members to be your go-to data-person. This person will be your ‘data-champion’ and it will be their responsibility to ensure that you are complying with regulations and standards.

3. Maintain Ethical Oversight

It is crucial that AI systems are designed and monitored to align with Christian ethics. This means being transparent about how AI makes decisions and ensuring those decisions reflect the values and teachings of the church.

For example, when implementing an AI tool to manage community outreach or resource allocation, church leaders should start by clearly defining the ethical guidelines that the system must follow. This might include prioritizing compassion, inclusivity, and fairness in every decision. Once the system is in place, it should be regularly reviewed by a diverse group of church members—leaders and congregants alike—to ensure that its outputs truly reflect these core values.

One practical suggestion is to establish an “AI Ethics Committee” within the church. This group could be responsible for overseeing the implementation and ongoing use of AI, conducting regular audits of AI decisions, and providing feedback to ensure the technology remains aligned with the church’s mission. By taking these steps, we can ensure that AI not only serves the church effectively but also upholds the ethical standards that are central to our faith.

4. Foster Inclusivity

When introducing AI, we need to consider the needs and capabilities of all our congregants. Providing education and support to help everyone understand and use new technologies is essential. We must ensure that AI tools are accessible to all, regardless of their tech proficiency or resources.

Conclusion

The real question is not whether we should use AI in the church—it is how we can use it responsibly to support and enhance our church’s mission. By addressing the potential pitfalls and adopting a thoughtful, ethical approach, AI can be a valuable tool for modernizing and enriching church life without compromising the human connections and values that are at our core.

We can ensure that technology serves our faith and community rather than detracting from it by finding the balance that honours our traditions while embracing the possibilities of the future.

If your church is considering integrating AI and you need guidance, I’m here to help. Let’s work together to navigate this journey responsibly and effectively. Send me an email on contact@ayodejiakiwowo.com