byArtificial intelligence has been around for a long time. But until recently, with the emergence of ChatGPT, Google Gemini and others, it has advanced to the point where it can even cost people jobs while increasing productivity through automation. Just like new-age activities such as football and sports betting, these things were not captured directly in scripture. As a result, it has left many believers wondering what the Bible says about the use of AI, especially in ministerial work. Imagine pastors no longer studying the Bible but using AI to generate sermons. How will Christian discipleship be? So artificial, with no genuity and creativity. What is the balance? Can Christians use AI for doing ministerial work? Let’s delve deeper.
The good and bad sides of AI
AI is neither good nor bad. Instead, it’s how it’s used that needs to be examined. For example, researchers find it easier and faster to find answers to certain research questions that could have taken them more hours if they were manually visiting one website after another after entering a search query in a search engine like Google. In this case, using AI is considered beneficial because it helps to fast-track work. However, assuming a Christian refuses to study the Bible and instead enters every biblical question that comes to mind into an AI chatbot for answers, will that person’s spiritual life be well-established? Certainly not. Why? Because the answers obtained may not be an accurate interpretation of scripture. Secondly, it’ll lead that person to eliminate hearing God’s voice and trusting the Holy Spirit as his advocate. So, AI has both positive and negative aspects. However, when it comes to using it for ministerial work, there are some things to consider.
There are several administrative areas where Christians can utilise it to help make the kingdom function more effectively. However, it is unique to each ministry because several churches and ministries have diverse organisational structures.
Making work easier but not eliminating where God must function
Everything that is in the world must be used to glorify God. Otherwise, it becomes non-beneficial for advancing God’s purposes on Earth. AI was created by humans and can never replace God. So, even though it is very powerful and improves certain areas of work, especially in corporate institutions, it must be used with caution and within established boundaries. For example, it is absurd for me to say that I’ll stop manually writing devotionals and articles from the Bible while turning to AI to do the writing based on my queries. It can kill my creativity if I keep doing that. In this case, I can use AI to edit my work after I’ve typed it, but it’s not okay for the AI to type for me.
As a minister, you must understand that AI cannot decode divine revelations from the Bible. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. So, you can use it to search for a scripture if you are having difficulty locating it as you study. But don’t let the AI explain it to you. Instead, ask God to do the interpretation.
Integrating AI in the ministry administration
Ministry isn’t all about preaching. Therefore, discussing the misuse of AI in sermon preparation isn’t enough. There are several administrative areas where Christians can utilise it to help make the kingdom function more effectively. However, it is unique to each ministry because several churches and ministries have diverse organisational structures.
If you plan to integrate AI into the ministry workflow, take a step back and examine your organisational structure and workflow critically. You may notice some areas in it that you can replace with AI or make the people in charge use AI for assistance. However, some places are a no-go for AI. For example, a church treasury department can use AI in summarising and calculating finances. The secretariat can utilise AI to edit and correct letters, eliminating all forms of grammatical errors.
Additionally, some aspects of video editing may involve scenes generated by AI. However, areas such as critical decision-making (except for those that require some level of research), sermon preparation, and personal Bible study can be best done without the inclusion of AI. You may not be able to integrate AI into all the areas of ministerial work on the go. But do it gradually in applicable areas based on your ministerial structure. You can also choose to refine the work processes after completing such integration.
In conclusion, I’d say that AI is a tool; it is not God. Use it judiciously, but always keep God first place in all that you do.
You are a blessing.
