|
|
Your congregation has questions for you about AI.
One in three Americans now considers spiritual advice from an AI as trustworthy as advice from their pastor.
Barna Group's latest research, conducted in partnership with Gloo, reveals that nearly one-third of U.S. adults say spiritual advice from AI is as trustworthy as advice from a pastor, and among Gen Z and Millennials, that figure rises to two in five. Roughly four in ten practicing Christians say AI has helped them with prayer, Bible study, or spiritual growth. Meanwhile, 41 percent of pastors report using AI for Bible study preparation themselves. A gap in the data, though, is emerging: one-third of practicing Christians say they want guidance from their pastor on how to navigate AI, yet only 12 percent of pastors say they feel comfortable teaching about it.
What this means for your church: Your people are already using these tools. They're forming habits, asking AI spiritual questions, and, for a growing number, giving those answers real weight. The pastors who lean into this conversation now will deepen trust with their people, and those who stay quiet cede that ground by default. This is a rare moment when curiosity and need are both pointing at you. Three steps to act on this week:
Start the conversation from the pulpit or in a small group. You don't need all the answers. A simple "here's what I'm thinking about AI and faith" message opens the door and signals that your church is a safe place to wrestle with hard questions.
Ask your congregation what they're actually using. A quick Sunday poll or mid-week email asking "Have you used AI for prayer or Bible study?" will tell you more than any study.
Frame AI as a formation question, not just a tech question. The real is who or what is shaping how they understand God, themselves, and their neighbors. Healthy churches help people think theologically about the tools in their hands.
|
|
Ministry Intel
What's at Stake at This Summer's Church Conventions | Christianity Today
Major denominations gather this summer to wrestle with questions that will shape church health for years to come. The ACNA is reforming its misconduct processes, the SBC heads into its annual meeting with competing presidential nominees, and the Global Methodist Church, now surpassing 7,000 churches globally, will elect its first full-time bishops. These aren't just governance stories. They're about whether the Church will be a trustworthy institution, which is the foundation of meaningful community engagement.
This week: What's one way your church demonstrates accountability and trustworthiness to the people you're trying to reach? Name it, protect it, and build on it.
The World Cup Is Coming. Your Congregation Has a Role to Play | Victory Beyond the Cup (Cru)
People are spiritually curious and open, but they need an on-ramp that meets them in ordinary life. Victory Beyond the Cup is exactly that. More than 5 billion people are expected to watch the World Cup this summer, and this free Cru pastor kit, which includes sermon outlines, small group questions, social graphics, and video resources, helps you mobilize your congregation around watch parties as simple, relational outreach. Preparation is what turns a cultural moment into a ministry moment. Available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French.
This week: Download the free kit and identify two or three families who'd naturally host a watch party.
Growth Toolkit
An all-in-one ministry platform combining communication tools, engagement analytics, and AI-powered content creation. Helps you understand your congregation and reach new people without juggling a dozen separate tools.
A free, practical, solutions-focused webinar covering fund tracking, giving reconciliation, and board-ready financial reporting. Hosted by MinistryBrands.
What would you like to see more of? Hit reply and let us know.
You're receiving this because you care about growing healthy churches. Forward this to a fellow pastor who could use some encouragement.