Why Churches and Ministries Cannot Ignore AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved from being a futuristic idea to an everyday reality. Whether we like it or not, AI is already shaping how people live, learn, and connect. Many church leaders feel hesitant—or even resistant—toward AI. Concerns about ethics, misuse, or over-reliance are real. Yet, ignoring AI is not a solution. People in our congregations are already using AI in their daily lives. If the Church remains silent, it risks becoming disconnected from the very world it seeks to reach.

---

People Are Already Using AI

AI isn’t something “coming soon.” It’s here now, embedded in tools many of us use daily:

• Smartphones – Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant use AI to process voice commands, answer questions, and manage schedules.

• Streaming Platforms – Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube recommend content through AI algorithms that learn user preferences.

• Social Media – Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok use AI to curate feeds and suggest posts, shaping what people consume.

• Search Engines – Google employs AI to refine searches, autocomplete questions, and even generate summaries.

• Everyday Apps – Grammarly (AI writing assistant), Google Translate (AI language translation), and Zoom (AI-powered meeting transcripts) are already part of work, study, and even ministry.

If members of the church are already surrounded by AI daily, then the Church cannot afford to stay uninformed or disengaged.

---

Why Churches Should Engage with AI

1. For Better Communication
   AI-powered tools can help ministries write newsletters, translate messages into multiple languages, and even improve sermon outlines.

2. For Deeper Engagement
   AI chatbots on church websites can answer common questions (“What time are services?” “How do I get involved?”) even outside office hours.

3. For Improved Accessibility
   Tools like Otter.ai or Rev provide live transcription for sermons, helping those who are hearing-impaired. Translation tools allow churches to minister across language barriers.

4. For Outreach and Evangelism
   AI-driven analytics can help churches understand their online audience and create gospel-centered messages that meet people where they are.

5. For Equipping Leaders
   AI can save time on administrative work (scheduling, report writing, database updates) so pastors and leaders can focus more on people, prayer, and preaching.

---

The Benefits Are Real

• Efficiency: Freeing up time from repetitive tasks.

• Creativity: Generating new ideas, graphics, and content.

• Reach: Expanding ministry beyond physical walls into digital spaces.

• Care: Offering round-the-clock support for those exploring faith or seeking help.

---

Cautions to Keep in Mind

While AI has incredible potential, churches must approach it with wisdom and discernment. Here are some cautions:

1. Do Not Replace Prayer and the Spirit’s Guidance
   AI is a tool, not a substitute for seeking God’s wisdom in prayer, preaching, or decision-making.

2. Guard Against Plagiarism and Integrity Issues
   AI can generate sermons, articles, or devotionals—but leaders should never present AI-created material as their own without prayerful study and discernment.

3. Protect Privacy and Data
   Many AI tools collect user information. Churches must be careful not to compromise the trust or safety of their congregation.

4. Avoid Over-Dependence
   Relying too much on technology can make ministry impersonal. Authentic relationships, shepherding, and discipleship cannot be outsourced to AI.

5. Discern Truth from Error
   AI sometimes generates incorrect or misleading information. Always fact-check and filter content through Scripture and sound doctrine.

6. Model Ethical Use
   How church leaders use AI will set an example. Transparency, honesty, and responsibility must guide every use of technology.

---

A Call to Thoughtful Engagement

Just as the printing press, radio, and internet once seemed threatening but later became powerful tools for the gospel, AI can be harnessed for Kingdom purposes. The Church’s role is to bring wisdom, discernment, and biblical grounding into a space where many are moving without guidance.

Ignoring AI is not the answer. Instead, we must prayerfully and wisely ask: How can we use AI to glorify God, strengthen the Church, and reach the world with the gospel—while avoiding the pitfalls of misuse?

Disclaimer: Portions of this content were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and have been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity. 

YoungHoon Bryan Kim and AI Claims

 A few weeks ago, I came across a headline that caught my attention: “The Smartest Person in the World Accepts Christ.” It was referring to a man named YoungHoon Bryan Kim and his public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. Intrigued by this bold statement, I decided to look deeper—who is he, and what really happened?

---

🧠 Who Is YoungHoon Bryan Kim?

YoungHoon Bryan Kim is a South Korean intellectual and public figure best known for his extraordinarily high IQ and his recent public affirmation of Christian faith.

🔹 Key Highlights:

• 📈 IQ Claims: He has been reported to have an IQ of 276, which, if verified, would place him among the highest ever recorded. He is a member of various high-IQ societies like:

  • Mensa

  • Triple Nine Society

  • Prometheus Society

  • United Sigma Intelligence Association (where he serves as President)

• 🎓 Multidisciplinary Education:

  • Degrees in Theology (Yonsei University), Philosophy (Korea University), Counseling, and Neuroscience

  • Trained in law, medicine, and engineering as well — making him a highly eclectic scholar

• ✝️ Christian Faith:

  • Publicly professed his faith in Christ via social media, saying:

    “As the world’s highest IQ record holder, I believe that Jesus Christ is God, the way, the truth, and the life.”

  • He has spoken out in defense of the Gospel, biblical values, and the lordship of Jesus, claiming that faith and intelligence are not in conflict.

• 🗣️ Media & Public Statements:

  • His testimony has been covered by news outlets like Voz Media, ChristianPost, and others — particularly for the way he connects rational thought and Christian belief.

  • He is gaining attention among both Christian thinkers and secular intellectuals. 

---

📰 What Really Happened?

• In mid-June 2025, Kim posted on X (formerly Twitter):

  “As the world’s highest IQ record holder, I believe that Jesus Christ is God, the way and the truth and the life.” JubileeCast+4Gospel Herald+4Christ & Co.+4REDx Magazine+11Christian Post+11Catholic Online News+11

• His declaration went viral, garnering well over 14 million views and hundreds of thousands of likes within just a couple of days .

• He added statements like:

  “Christ is my logic.”
  “I will use this opportunity to lead many souls to God.” Gospel Herald+1Legit.ng - Nigeria news.+1Christ & Co.+6Christian Post+6Gospel Herald+6

• Earlier, he'd made philosophical remarks:

  “Our consciousness is not just brain activity... Quantum physics says information never disappears... Death is not destruction, but a transition.” Wikipedia+10www.christiantoday.com+10Gospel Herald+10

🤖 AI in Ministry: A Hot and Healing—or Hazardous—Topic

Artificial Intelligence has swiftly become a hot topic in ministry circles. On one side, many see AI as a powerful tool for sermon prep; on the other, critics argue it's tantamount to spiritual compromise. My perspective? AI can (and should) be a tool—but never a substitute for spiritual dependence.

---

✅ Why Some Embrace AI in Sermon Preparation

• Research acceleration: AI can quickly aggregate commentary, Greek/Hebrew lexicon insights, sermon outlines, and sermon illustrations—similar to having a digital research assistant. blog.tms.eduexponential.org+1backstorypreaching.com+1

• Editorial competence: It helps refine logic, enhance clarity, polish grammar, and improve readability without changing the core message.

• Church communications: Beyond sermons, AI assists pastors with writing newsletters, emails, social media posts—maintaining personal voice while improving clarity.

A Barna survey supports this: 43% of pastors see AI's merits in sermon prep and research—but only 12% would let it write full sermons. barna.com+1apnews.com+1

---

⚠️ Why Others Warn Against Over reliance

• Spiritual formation lost: Critics argue that sermon prep is an act of worship. The slow discipline of prayerful meditation cultivates growth that AI cannot replicate. mbts.edu

• Loss of authenticity: AI lacks emotional resonance, personal journey, and pastoral insight—elements that make sermons impactful. chron.com+7apnews.com+7desiringgod.org+7

• Ethical pitfalls & dependency: There's risk of plagiarism or outsourcing spiritual labor to a machine. And dependency on AI efficiency may distract from worshipful, contemplative study. barna.com+11blog.tms.edu+11puritanboard.com+11

---

🛠️ My Position: Use AI, But Use It Wisely

1. Don’t ask AI for entire sermons. Rather than "Give me a sermon to preach this week," select your Scripture prayerfully and then use AI to:

   • Find illustrations and anecdotes

   • Access Greek/Hebrew meaning and contextual exegesis

   • Generate sermon title ideas and thematic outlines apnews.com+2backstorypreaching.com+2desiringgod.org+2

   • Edit drafts for clarity and correctness

2. Maintain your spiritual rhythm: Study Scripture prayerfully. Let the Word form you—not just inform you.

3. Retain authorship: Your thoughts, insights, and voice must remain primary. AI’s role is to augment—not replace—you.

4. Apply spiritual checks: Always evaluate AI-sourced content in light of Scripture and led by the Holy Spirit.

---

🎥 Voices from Both Sides

Critical view
Don’t Be an Artificial Preacher (Argument Against AI) – John Dube and others highlight the dangers of outsourcing spiritual work cite
blog.tms.edu

Supportive view
youtube.comdesiringgod.org

---

✍️ Practical Examples

• Research & illustration: Use AI to discover stories, historical context, or linguistic nuance that enriches the text of Scripture.

• Writing clarity: I often draft emails or messages, then ask AI to clean up grammar and enhance readability—without changing my core message.

• Editorial tool: Paste your sermon draft into AI for feedback on flow, tone, or coherence—it flags gaps you might miss.

---

🚦 Takeaway

AI is not sinful—it's neutral technology. Like commentaries and study Bibles, it’s a tool. Whether it’s time-saving or time-wasting depends on how and why you use it.

• Good use: Tools that free time for prayer, study, and personal growth.

• Bad use: Letting AI write your sermons, surrendering spiritual formation, or hiding behind machine-generated text.

A preacher must be connected to God, drawing inspiration from the Holy Spirit. AI can assist, but it’s the preacher’s responsibility to shepherd, reflect, and embody the message.

---

🎯 Final Thought

In today's digital era, we’re called to be wise stewards of technology—embracing tools that support ministry without compromising spiritual authenticity. Used rightly, AI can be a blessing. Used poorly, it can become a crutch—or worse, a false idol.

---

📚 Further Reading

• Pros and Cons of Using AI for Sermon Writing – a deep-dive into both sides of the argument backstorypreaching.comexponential.org

• Can AI and Preaching Coexist? – Balanced guidance on ethical integration churchandai.com

AI Pastor in your Pocket who can Pray for You

One concern I highlighted in my thesis was the use of AI in religious services. We’re already seeing tools designed to generate sermons. While I’m not opposed to these tools when used as a resource, they should not become crutches for last-minute sermon preparation. If someone is simply going to generate a sermon with AI and deliver it verbatim, it might be more honest to let a robot do the preaching so that people aren’t misled.  

In December 2024, I encountered a new and innovative idea in this space. While I wasn’t surprised by it—the technology behind it is relatively straightforward—it raises concerns about potential misuse. Developments like these have the potential to spiral out of control, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see even more initiatives like this emerge in the future.

Welcome to the world of Pastor in your Pocket!

The AI Pastor Debate: Ron Carpenter’s Innovative App Sparks Discussion

In December 2024, Pastor Ron Carpenter Jr., leader of the 21,000-member Redemption Church with campuses in Greenville, South Carolina, and San Jose, California, unveiled a groundbreaking yet controversial new tool: the Ron Carpenter Ministries Advanced Archive app.

This app introduces users to "1-on-1 personalized interactions" with an AI representation of Pastor Carpenter. Its purpose is to provide spiritual guidance, prayer support, and advice anytime, anywhere. Using advanced AI technology, the app generates responses in Pastor Carpenter's voice, aiming to make spiritual care more accessible and convenient.

Key Features of the App

• 24/7 Accessibility: Users can engage in conversations, seek advice, and request prayers, receiving personalized AI-driven responses.
• Subscription Model: The app is available for $49 per month.
• Efficiency in Ministry: It aims to remove time and location barriers, offering spiritual support to users around the world.

Praise and Criticism

While some view the app as a revolutionary approach to ministry, others have raised concerns.

Supporters

Many applaud the innovation, noting that it extends spiritual resources to people who might otherwise lack access to pastoral care. It demonstrates how technology can support large ministries in addressing the needs of their communities efficiently.

Critics

The app has faced criticism within the Christian community, primarily for the potential de-personalization of pastoral care.

• Loss of Spiritual Authenticity: Skeptics argue that AI cannot replicate the unique role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual guidance. One critic remarked, "The one thing the world will not be able to replicate in the AI age is the Holy Spirit."
• Undermining Human Connection: Others worry that relying on AI for spiritual guidance risks losing the relational and communal aspects of faith, which are central to religious traditions.
• Erosion of Trust: Some fear that using technology in this way could weaken the deeply personal nature of pastoral relationships.

Broader Implications

The app represents a larger trend in integrating technology into faith practices. While it opens doors to new ways of delivering spiritual care, it also forces religious communities to grapple with fundamental questions:

• Can AI effectively fulfill roles traditionally held by human pastors?
• How can faith traditions preserve the human connection central to their beliefs while embracing technological advancements?

The Ongoing Conversation

Pastor Carpenter’s app has sparked a critical debate about the intersection of AI and spirituality. It highlights the potential for innovation to expand the reach of faith communities but also raises ethical and practical concerns about the role of technology in sacred practices.

The discussion reflects the tension between innovation and tradition, offering a glimpse into how faith communities may navigate this evolving landscape.

For a deeper look at this topic, you can explore this video:
"This AI 'Pastor' in Your Pocket App Went Too Far"

As technology continues to advance, this app is a reminder of the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating AI into the deeply human experience of faith.

Reference: https://www.christianpost.com/news/megachurch-pastor-previews-app-that-offers-ai-led-prayer-spiritu.html