As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries, its presence in religious spaces is raising ethical and spiritual questions, especially when it comes to writing sermons.
For many congregants, a sermon is more than a speech. It’s believed to be a message from God, delivered through a preacher who has spent time in prayer and reflection. But what happens when a pastor says, “I consulted AI for this week’s sermon” instead of “I waited on the Lord”?
This tension is being debated by clergy worldwide. The central question is not whether AI can write a good sermon, but whether it should.
In Kenya, pastors from various denominations agree on one thing: the church cannot ignore AI, but it must approach it carefully to preserve doctrinal integrity.
Dr Kwame Rubadiri, a reverend at International Christian Centre, Nairobi, believes AI should be seen as a tool, not a replacement for divine inspiration. But they should also beware of “plagiarism and laziness.”
He says a preacher’s preparation for any ministry, and particularly sermons, should start with personal prayer and a life honestly devoted to God. Sermons are not simply presentations; they should be the Word of God explained and applied to real-life situations.
This picture taken on January 23, 2023 in Toulouse, southwestern France, shows screens displaying the logos of OpenAI and ChatGPT. ChatGPT is a conversational artificial intelligence software application developed by OpenAI.
Photo credit: Lionel Bonaventure | Getty Images | AFP
“In light of this, AI should simply be a tool to help articulate and accurately present the Word and help the congregation hear from God. AI is a part of our lives; we cannot ignore it, so we should know all we can about how it can enhance our work, our study, and preparation and ultimately our effectiveness in delivering the Word of God to the world,” he said.
However, there are mixed views among believers. A 2023 survey by the US-based Barna Group found that 63 per cent of Christians believe a human writes sermons better than AI. However, many support AI use in administrative tasks and digital outreach.
The Vatican weighed in earlier this year with a document titled Antiqua et Nova (“Old and New”), which emphasised protecting human dignity in the age of AI. Pope Leo XIV recently reminded Catholic influencers that creativity should never be used to harm or dehumanise others.
Pope Leo XIV conducts Mass in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, May 9, 2025. He recently reminded Catholic influencers that creativity should never be used to harm or dehumanise others.
Photo credit: Reuters
Christian ethicist Prof Karen Swallow Prior agrees. Writing in Christianity Today, she cautioned pastors against relying too heavily on AI, warning it could stunt personal and spiritual growth.
“Writing, like spiritual maturity, offers no shortcuts,” she wrote. “AI can assist, but it can’t replace the preacher’s own study and reflection.”
She also raised concerns about plagiarism and unintentional copyright infringement, especially since many AI models are trained on content without authors’ permission.
“Would you cite AI in your sermon? If not, ask yourself why,” she added.
Some Kenyan pastors are already using AI for practical ministry tasks. Fred Akama of Tent of Testimonies Ministries says AI powers their online training platform for leaders, new believers, and couples in pre-marital classes.
“AI sets individual quizzes, grades them, and helps us track engagement,” he explains.
Similarly, Bernard Okoko, a pastor, sees AI as an inevitable part of modern ministry, but one that requires discipline and spiritual grounding.
“My view is expressed in scripture in the book of Romans 12:2 : And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Like Dr Rubadiri, Mr Okoko counsels that AI will make work easy in a short time, but that if handled loosely, it can be a recipe for laziness in the pulpit.
Tony Kiama, a reverend at the River of God church, says that like all good inventions, regulation of AI use was mandatory, if it were not to be used for wrong purposes.
“AI is a great tool, but just like how people have abused drugs that are meant to treat them, they now use them for recreational reasons. There are pastors who have become lazy and just generate sermons via AI. But AI is a great research tool.
Remember, we don't just read the Bible for preaching purposes but for self-edification first. That's why we have pastors who preach water but drink wine. Because they don't allow God's word to transform them, because the Bible states: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
