Churchgoers are divided over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in sermons, while a majority are concerned about its influence on Christianity, according to a new study of Protestants in America.
The poll, conducted by Lifeway Research, found that 44% did not have an issue with pastors using AI in their preparation, while 43% disagreed.
Churchgoers who described themselves as having evangelical beliefs were less likely to be supportive of the technology’s use, as well as those who attend church four times or more a month.
Three in five (61%) of those surveyed expressed concerns about AI’s influence on Christianity. That rises among those with evangelical beliefs (67%), Baptists (62%), Presbyterians and Reformed churchgoers (64%). Only 48% of Methodists shared the same view. More women than men said they were worried, as well as those aged 65 and older, compared with younger age groups.
There was also a near-equal split in whether hearing a sermon applying biblical principles would be beneficial, with 42% in support and 43% against. There was a split among age groups, with half of those aged 18 to 49 believing this would be valuable, dropping to three in ten among those aged 50 and older.
Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, said: “While both the availability and use of AI are spreading rapidly, several surveys have shown many Americans have concerns about it. Churchgoers are no exception, as they think of its influence on Christianity.
“The caution may be from a desire to limit its use to certain activities or from not yet giving its morality much thought.
“Just as every new technology requires some investigation to use it well, Christians have the opportunity to investigate AI’s uses biblically,” McConnell said.
Fewer than half of American Protestant Pastors said they were using AI, Lutherans and Baptists being the most skeptical.
Only one in ten said they were active users. They tended to be younger pastors, leading bigger churches, ministering in urban areas, or with college degrees.
“Pastors’ highest concerns are tied to how trustworthy AI’s information is, but the majority of pastors are also concerned with honesty in the use of AI content and potential weakening of personhood especially in handling God's Word”, McConnell said.
Lifeways Research surveyed more than 1,000 Protestant pastors and 1,200 Protestant churchgoers for the study.