When AI Comes to Church: My Feature in Outreach Magazine

TL;DR

Outreach Magazine ran my feature on AI and the Church. It walks through 11 mistakes church leaders make as they bring AI into ministry. Use AI to extend what your team can do, and keep real people at the center of pastoral care.

What the article covers

The piece opens with how fast AI went from a topic for tech fans to an everyday tool in church offices. Then it gets practical. Here are the 11 mistakes.

1. Overestimating what AI can do. AI helps with prep and admin. A hospital visit still needs a pastor in the room.
2. Skipping training. Your team needs AI training built for ministry work.
3. Setting vague goals. Pick clear outcomes you can measure.
4. Leaning on AI too much for sermon prep. Strong preaching comes from scripture, personal experience, and spiritual insight. AI can support that process.
5. Underestimating the ethics. Privacy, data security, and bias are real issues. Every church needs a written AI policy.
6. Losing the personal touch. Too much automation wears down trust in pastoral relationships.
7. Ignoring kids and youth ministry. AI can rework the content you already have to fit a younger reading level.
8. Leaving out a feedback loop. Surveys and open forums keep your AI use in step with your congregation's values.
9. Underusing AI for outreach. Translation and digital tools help you reach more of your community.
10. Falling behind. AI changes fast. Peer groups and workshops keep you current.
11. Leaving the congregation out. Tell people what you're doing and why. Talking about it early builds ownership.

Read the full article on Outreach Magazine

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