Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a novelty. Over the past year, it has become a regular part of the software many churches already use, from email platforms and design tools to church management systems. That means the question has shifted from "Should we try AI?" to "How do we use it well?" From administrative support to creative outreach, AI offers congregations of every size new ways to strengthen ministry, connect with members, and serve the community. Below are some practical ways to put it to work, along with a few guardrails to keep in mind.
1. Streamlining communication
Communication is still one of the easiest places to start. AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot can help you draft email newsletters, social media posts, bulletin announcements, and event reminders in a fraction of the time. Many of these tools can now also create simple graphics, so a single request can produce both the words and a starting-point image for a flyer or postcard. Think of the result as a first draft. A person who knows your congregation should always review, edit, and approve it before it goes out.
Tip: The more detail you give the AI tool of your choice, the better it can tailor the result to your needs. Include your audience, tone, key details, and where the content will be used.
Prompt example: In a friendly tone, write a short invitation for people in my local community to our church's fall festival on Saturday, October 24. The invitation should welcome everyone, especially people who have never visited our church. Let them know we will have a free chili lunch, a hayride, games for kids, and a pumpkin patch. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., dress is casual, and the address is 1234 Elm Hill Rd. This text will be printed on a 4x6 postcard mailed to our neighborhood. For the back of the postcard, suggest a short scripture verse about gratitude or community (you may notate Bible version of choice) and describe a warm, autumn-themed graphic to go with it.
Reminder: Always check scripture references against your Bible. AI tools can occasionally misquote verses or cite the wrong chapter.
2. Enhancing worship preparation
Preparing sermons and worship materials takes time. AI can help by suggesting outlines, pointing you toward related scripture passages, brainstorming illustrations, or drafting discussion questions for small groups. It can also help extend the life of a sermon by turning it into a devotional, a social media series, or a short newsletter reflection. With discernment and careful review, these tools can help pastors and lay leaders craft messages that resonate, while the message itself remains the preacher's own.
Tip: Most major AI tools now let you save background information so you do not have to repeat it every time. ChatGPT offers custom GPTs and Projects, Claude offers Projects, and Gemini offers Gems. You can add materials such as your sermon series plan, your preferred Bible translation, your church's mission statement, and your style preferences. The more relevant context you provide, the more closely the results will match your needs.
Reminder: AI can sometimes state things confidently that are not true, including made-up quotes, statistics, or sources. Verify any fact, quote, or citation before using it from the pulpit or in print.
3. Supporting administration
AI can help draft meeting agendas, summarize minutes, organize volunteer schedules, and make sense of data. Many church management and giving platforms now include built-in AI features, and general AI tools can help you spot trends in attendance or giving when you share a spreadsheet. These tools can lighten the load on church staff and volunteers, freeing them to focus on relational ministry.
Reminder: Protect the privacy of your members. Avoid entering names, contact details, giving records, or pastoral care information into public AI tools. Use anonymized data when possible, and check with your conference or church leadership about any policies on AI and data use.
4. Expanding community engagement
AI-powered chatbots and auto-responders on your church website or social media pages can answer common questions about service times, upcoming events, livestream access, or directions. They help ensure every visitor or seeker receives timely, accurate information, even outside of office hours. Keep the information your chatbot uses up to date, and make sure it offers an easy way for people to reach a real person.
5. Improving accessibility
AI can help more people take part in worship and church life. Automatic captioning on livestreams and videos serves people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Translation tools can help you share bulletins and newsletters with members who speak other languages, and voice tools can create audio versions of written content. As with everything else on this list, have a person review captions and translations for accuracy and cultural sensitivity. MyCom's article on using AI to improve accessibility in worship and online ministry offers more ideas.
6. Empowering education and discipleship
AI can help tailor learning experiences for Bible studies, new member classes, confirmation, and youth programs. You can ask it to adjust a lesson for different ages or reading levels, create discussion questions, or generate supplemental materials such as worksheets, quizzes, and handouts. Review everything for theological and factual accuracy before sharing it with your group.
Use with care and prayer
While AI can be a helpful resource, it is important to approach it thoughtfully. It should never replace human connection, pastoral discernment, or spiritual wisdom. Be open with your congregation about how your church uses AI, protect people's personal information, and keep a person responsible for everything you publish. Think of AI as a supportive partner in ministry, one that, when used wisely, can extend your church's mission without compromising its heart.
The conversation about AI and faith is ongoing across The United Methodist Church. Discipleship Ministries, United Methodist Communications, and the General Board of Church and Society are exploring the ethical and theological questions AI raises through the Faith and AI Discernment webinar series, and ResourceUMC's artificial intelligence topic page gathers the latest articles, podcasts, and guidance in one place.
Need more on AI? Check out the additional MyCom articles and resources:
How to get what you need from AI
How to use AI to make your church appear in Google searches
With over 20 years of experience across various media outlets, Renee McNeill has guided brands in crafting and executing effective strategies for both internal marketing and public-facing campaigns. As a specialist in social media and e-marketing, Renee is passionate about empowering churches worldwide to enhance their communications and marketing efforts.Renee is the producer of the MyCom brand, and can be reached at mycom@umcom.org.