Pastors Embrace AI for Ministry Work Despite Ethical Concerns

Event summary

  • 87% of pastors use AI in ministry, primarily for behind-the-scenes tasks like brainstorming (50%), graphic design (37%), and research (36%).
  • 24% of pastors now use AI for sermon preparation, up from 12% in early 2024.
  • 71% of pastors describe feeling cautious about AI, with 40% feeling conflicted or skeptical.
  • 79% of pastors worry about AI replacing God, and 63% fear it could replace spiritual leaders.

The big picture

The research highlights a strategic tension between AI's utility in streamlining administrative tasks and pastors' ethical concerns about its role in spiritual leadership. Gloo, a leading tech platform for faith-based organizations, is positioning itself at the intersection of this trend, offering tools that help pastors reclaim time for meaningful ministry. The findings suggest a growing but cautious adoption of AI in religious institutions, reflecting broader debates about technology's role in sensitive, human-centric fields.

What we're watching

Ethical Adoption
How pastors' cautious stance will affect the pace of AI integration in ministry.
Functional Use Cases
Whether AI will expand beyond preparatory tasks into more people-facing ministry roles.
Long-Term Impact
The extent to which AI adoption reshapes pastoral workflows and spiritual leadership dynamics.

Related topics

Technology