Q&A- Should Pastors Use AI for Sermons?
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Question: I have heard of pastors from various denominations using artificial intelligence technology to either write their entire sermon or to help write their sermon. Do you think that AI for sermon writing is appropriate for a pastor?
Background
As someone who served as a Digital Missionary from 2013-2018 (ran a team of 5), you'd think I'd be the tech guy in favor of all things internet. For many years, previous to 2020, I worked as a digital missionary proclaiming the Gospel online. Many do not know what a digital missionary is, so for those of you who would like to know, as a digital missionary, I formed relationships with individuals all over the world through online video games. I was, and still am, a proponent of the Church being visible in online community spaces to form relationships and share the Gospel. I encouraged many churches, previous to 2020, to have some aspects of their services and studies available online, but I have never been a proponent of online church.
In general, as a result of my research and time in internet-based ministry, I'm a strong supporter of internet-based ministry opportunities, particularly for evangelism. I'm more resistant to formal worship gatherings online due to the intrinsic face-to-face nature of the sacraments and ministry of the word. With that as a "disclosure" of my background, some thoughts on AI and sermon prep.
Answer
“No, I need to spend time in the word, in thought, and in prayer. AI Is helpful as a tool, like word studies, logos, translation tools, commentaries, and outline, but AI is only a part of the toolbelt for sermon prep. It can't write the sermon for me. The sermon has to first become a living, breathing message in my own life that overflows into and out of the pulpit and streets where I preach."
While our sacramental theology took a hit during the pandemic, AI is showing our theology of preaching has some room to grow in understanding the role of the messenger in proclaiming the message. AI's development as a communication assistant requires a robust response to the ethics involved, and the Christ-like opportunities to both use and abstain from the tools available with AI.
My own "lines in the sand" have been a distinction between using AI for creation vs. using it for organization. The key question is whether AI is responsible for generating the message or not.
Can I faithfully, truthfully say to my congregants (of whom I've had several just over the last year) who ask, "can't you just use AI to write your sermon?" "No, I need to spend time in the world, in thought, and in prayer. AI is helpful as a tool, like word studies, logos, translation tools, commentaries, and outlines, but AI is only a part of the toolbelt for sermon prep. It can't write the sermon for me. The sermon has to first become a living, breathing message in my own life that overflows into and out of the pulpit and streets where I preach."
An illustration I've used has been plumbing. Can AI just do your plumbing for you? No. It can be helpful in research, data retrieval, information processing, and searches. But it can't do the plumbing for you. For that, you need a person, an incarnational plumber willing to use their body in the work for fixing/repairing your plumbing problems. The same can be said of the sermon. The person preaching is an indispensable, incarnational reality of the message being proclaimed.
The connection between message and messenger cannot be overstated in the importance of gospel proclamation. We do not merely deliver content. We are Holy Spirit-transformed people commissioned by God to take "that which we have received, we deliver unto you". AI can be helpful in preparation as a tool in the toolbelt, but it cannot replace or even supersede other tools as of yet, let alone replace the messenger proclaiming the message under the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
As a closing anecdote, this is a conversation I also have with seminary students and preachers. I have found they are encouraged to work when they are equipped with this encouraging biblical reality: God doesn't just desire content delivery, there are FAR better content delivery people than me or you, our favorite preachers/teachers being examples of that. God desires for his people to be shepherded by His voice coming through an available person, and in person for that person who hears his personal voice through the gospel proclamation. Some have used the phrase "ministers of gospel transformation, not just ministers of gospel information". That has been helpful in my own life, and in the life of others whom I've spoken with and discipled, and been discipled by, on this topic.
What a glorious thought that we, imperfect and flawed as we are, are the very means God has chosen as instruments of his gospel going forward!
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