AI represents the fastest-growing and most significant technology innovation of our lifetime. Adoption rates of AI tools are expanding at a breathtaking pace, and there are very few areas of human activity that are not already being affected by its influence. The church is certainly no exception. While church leaders and pastors are beginning to appreciate the many powerful ways that AI can help them minister, serve, and connect more effectively and efficiently across all ministry areas, many are still reticent to embrace the available technology.

Proceed With Caution—But By All Means, Proceed!

Before we go further, we acknowledge legitimate reasons for caution.  (But we distinguish clearly between caution and fear!)  Thoughtfulness, wisdom, and careful analysis are necessary because AI is powerful and has the possibility for both great benefit and great harm.  In adopting AI for ministry, churches must develop standards, processes, and solutions to deal with ethical and moral concerns and apprehensions around such issues as security, data integrity, privacy, algorithmic bias, identity spoofing, and the loss of personal interaction/humanity.

How Should We Think About AI?

Just as with other technological innovations (like the Internet), the questions and concerns around AI can and will be solved.  We believe strongly that leaders should never allow fear, ignorance, or confusion to prevent them from actively pursuing technological solutions that can have both tremendous temporal and eternal impacts. We further believe churches have a spiritual and moral imperative to responsibly utilize emerging technology solutions to serve others and build the kingdom of God. In the final analysis, adopting AI or any other technology tool that expands ministry impact is an issue of stewardship.

Why Are Churches Hesitant to Adopt AI Technology?

If AI has so much promise for ministry, why are churches and ministry leaders so concerned about its adoption and utilization in ministry?  We believe there are two issues.  The first deals with “Upside.”  There is a long track record of man’s difficulty in fully appreciating the future benefits and promises of technology’s application. This issue deals with Vision.  The second issue deals with “Downside.”  Humans are wired to immediately grasp and see the potentially harmful ramifications of anything new, strange, or different.  Change of almost any magnitude equals trepidation.  This issue deals with Fear.  We now consider the problems of vision and fear in order.

“Upside”- The Problem of Vision

History has provided numerous examples illustrating the problem of Vision. In these examples, we see that technology predictions are not for the faint of heart! In reviewing these commonplace technologies (that we now take for granted), it is important to remember that they once were emerging technologies that were deemed dangerous, strange, confusing, or otherwise limited.

The Gutenberg Press

It revolutionized the distribution of the Bible and other religious texts, making scripture more accessible.  Skeptical religious authorities denounced it because they feared the potential for heretical interpretations would undermine the church’s authority and disrupt the social order.

“Printed books will never be the equivalent of handwritten codices, especially since printed books are often deficient in spelling and appearance.”—Trimethius, German abbot in 1492

 The Telephone

“The telephone has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication.” – Western Union internal memo, 1876

The Personal Computer

“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” – Attributed to Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM, 1943

“Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.” – Popular Mechanics, 1949

The Internet

Even tech titans can miss at times!  Bill Gates’ initial thoughts on the Internet and Microsoft’s strategy famously did not age well.  In a mere two years, his initial views changed utterly.

“The Internet? We are not interested in it.” – Bill Gates, 1993

“ The Internet is a tidal wave.  It changes the rules.  It is an incredible opportunity as well as an incredible challenge…Now I assign the Internet the highest level of importance…I want to make clear that our focus on the Internet is crucial to every part of our business.”  Bill Gates, Tidal Wave memo, 1995

“Downside”- The Problem of Fear

When adopting new technology, it’s common for people to feel more apprehensive about potential downsides than optimistic about possible benefits. This inclination is rooted in several well-established and related psychological principles and societal dynamics that shape human behavior and decision-making.

 Loss Aversion

According to this principle, the pain of losing something is psychologically twice as powerful as the pleasure of gaining something of equal value. This means that people are naturally more inclined to avoid losses than pursue gains, leading them to focus more on potential risks than rewards.  This is especially powerful when the potential rewards are not yet fully understood.

The Negativity Bias

Humans are wired to prioritize negative information over positive information—a tendency known as the negativity bias. In the context of technology adoption, this bias manifests as an exaggerated focus on what could go wrong, overshadowing the potential benefits.

Fear of the Unknown

New technology often involves a degree of uncertainty and unfamiliarity, which can trigger a fear of the unknown. This fear is deeply rooted in human psychology, as the brain interprets uncertainty as a potential threat. As a result, people might react more strongly to the uncertain risks associated with new technology than to the clear and predictable benefits.

Media Amplification

Media coverage can also play a significant role in shaping public perception of new technology. Negative stories like data breaches, job displacement due to automation, or ethical concerns about AI tend to attract more attention and generate higher engagement than positive stories. This disproportionate focus on negative aspects can amplify public fear and skepticism, making the potential downsides seem more real and immediate.

Confirmation Bias

Once people develop a belief or fear about new technology, they are likely to seek information confirming their existing views—a tendency known as confirmation bias. This selective exposure reinforces negative perceptions and makes it harder for positive information to change their minds. Consequently, people may remain convinced of the downsides despite evidence of significant benefits.

Trust Issues

Trust is a crucial factor in the adoption of new technology. People are often wary of technologies developed by entities they perceive as untrustworthy, such as large corporations or governments. Concerns about privacy, surveillance, and data misuse can lead to heightened skepticism and a focus on potential adverse outcomes.

How to Combat this Natural Fear?

To properly assess AI’s ministry benefits and overcome innate fears of the unknown, we recommend the following strategies:

1. Research Proven Benefits: Discover clear, evidence-based examples of how the technology has positively impacted churches, individuals, and other organizations.
2. Address Fears Directly: Acknowledge the potential risks but identify existing and future measures required to mitigate those risks. Objective, balanced analysis builds trust and reduces fear.
3. Educate and Inform Yourself and Your Constituents: Obtain comprehensive education and training to demystify the technology and reduce the fear of the unknown.
4. Engage in Dialogue: Foster open discussions and involve staff and members in decision-making to build consensus and confidence.

Understanding and addressing the psychological factors behind technological fear can help create a more balanced perspective and encourage a more open-minded approach to adopting innovations.

So, How Do We Move Forward With AI? 

Perhaps the best way to think about an approach to applying AI to ministry during this time is to remember how the Church grappled with both the upside and downside of the Internet as its influence began to expand rapidly.  Although many saw the potential benefits for ministry, they also acknowledged the inherent dangers.   Leaders with widely divergent theological views were consistent in their analysis of the Internet’s advisability as a tool for ministry. We contend that their analysis of the Internet as a tool applies very well to AI.

“The Internet is not a tool for the faint of heart. It has the potential to spread evil as quickly as good. It is my hope and prayer that Christians will not just sit back and watch but become actively involved in promoting the gospel on the Internet to counter the flood of negative and misleading information that is out there.”  Billy Graham, Evangelist, 1999

“The internet offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is a gift from God, but like all gifts, it can be misused or even destroyed. The internet can be used to manipulate, exploit, and corrupt. This danger must not be underestimated.”Pope John Paul II, Message for the 36th World Communications Day, 2002

“The Internet has the potential to become a powerful tool for the propagation of the Christian message, but it also presents real and present dangers. Churches must be wise and discerning in their use of this technology.” Dr. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2003

And what has happened with the Internet?  Both the good and the bad, of course.  Despite its harmful elements, the church adapted to the Internet. Churches discovered that the Internet could be a powerful tool for spreading the gospel, connecting with members, and reaching out to the unchurched. Online ministries, streaming services, and social media engagement became vital to many congregations’ outreach efforts.  This was never truer than during the pandemic shutdowns in 2020-2022.

Churches learned to use the Internet responsibly, setting up safeguards and educating members about safe online practices. The potential for harm was mitigated by the church’s proactive stance in using the Internet for good, turning it into a tool for ministry and community building rather than a source of fear.

The initial apprehensions highlighted the importance of approaching new technologies with discernment. Still, as history shows, many of these fears were ultimately overcome through thoughtful and ethical engagement with the digital world. AI can follow a similar course.

Conclusion

AI represents the most critical technology inflection point in our lifetime. At this pivotal moment in history, churches, ministries, and individual Christ-followers should be at the forefront of guiding and shaping the discussion around the ethical and moral boundaries relating to the use and development of AI.   The church should exert strong leadership in exploring and understanding at a detailed level the powerful ministry benefits afforded by AI while at the same time dealing with the potential downsides in a way that is not driven by fear but by knowledge and wisdom.

As churches navigate the digital age, the key to successful technology adoption is balancing innovation with biblical truth and timeless principles of human interaction and spiritual formation. By embracing new tools thoughtfully and ethically, churches can enhance their ministry efforts, connect more deeply with their communities, and fulfill their mission in increasingly impactful ways.  In our age, the careful, intentional, and prayerful process of adapting powerful technology tools to ministry lies at the heart of responsible stewardship.  Let us not “bury our talents!” Instead, let the Lord find us as faithful stewards who invested wisely and leveraged AI and other technology tools to magnify ministry and build the kingdom of God.