Half of U.S. pastors now use AI in sermon preparation
The revolution in artificial intelligence has reached American pulpits. Most pastors now use some form of AI to prepare sermons, according to the 2025 State of AI in the Church Survey Report form by AiForChurchLeaders.com and Exponential AI NEXT.
Church leaders now are more concerned about “the weighty ethical and practical considerations involved” in the use of AI as they continue their rapid embrace of the technology.
Nearly two-thirds of church leaders surveyed who prepare sermons say they use AI tools in their sermon-writing process. “This suggests that AI is quickly becoming a key tool for pastors in their weekly message preparation,” the report said.
Six in 10 pastors surveyed say they use AI weekly or daily, up from 43 percent in 2024. Among this share, 25 percent report using AI daily.
Pastors increasingly open to AI
“Overall, the survey depicts a church that is increasingly open to the ministry possibilities of artificial intelligence, while still grappling with the weighty ethical and practical considerations involved,” researchers said. “Most churches seem to believe that AI can be beneficial if used as a tool but not a replacement for human connection and spiritual discernment.”
Around 11 percent of church leaders report using the AI-powered writing assistant Grammarly for tasks such as polishing emails, newsletters, blog posts and other church communications. Another 9 percent said they use Microsoft Co-Pilot, an AI search engine developed by Microsoft, to conduct research, while 8 percent report using Google Gemini. Another 8 percent of the church leaders in the study report using Canva Magic Studio, an AI-driven set of design capabilities.
“While some may view this as a concerning trend, others likely see it as a way to enhance their research, writing efficiency and creativity,” the report said. “As AI sermon-writing tools continue to improve, it will be important for church leaders to find the right balance between leveraging AI’s capabilities and maintaining their unique voice and spiritual insights.”
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The top concerns of respondents about the use of AI in ministry are now misinformation and the theological accuracy or alignment of AI-generated content; AI replacing or diminishing personal, spiritual guidance and the quality of human relationships within the church community; privacy and data security; and transparency and accountability. Nevertheless, church leaders are optimistic about the use of AI in ministry and believe that, with the right training, they can overcome hurdles as they arise. Nearly nine in 10 pastors said they are willing to invest in AI education and training for themselves and their staff.
“To overcome known hurdles, church leaders will need to prioritize AI education and training for themselves and their staff,” researchers said. “This could include attending workshops, partnering with AI experts and investing in ministry-specific AI resources. Proactively addressing ethical considerations through the development of robust AI policies and frameworks will be critical to building trust and buy-in from congregations. By taking these steps, churches can position themselves to reap the benefits of AI while mitigating potential risks.”
–Alan Goforth
