AI and Ministry Leaders
Why would I use AI in Bible ministry?
You may have come to this AI Academy to discover why and how AI is useful in a ministry setting. Many AI tools are new and even the people building them have not yet discovered everything they can do! There is a lot of fear around AI taking jobs, AI destroying human creativity, AI being used to create fake videos, and even AI taking over the world.
So, asking what role it plays in a Jesus-centered ministry is an especially valid question.
For ministry leaders, AI presents new ways to serve communities, spread the Gospel, and advance God's work. AI can assist in everything from automating administrative tasks to generating fresh ideas for ministry and outreach, allowing more time for discipleship and personal connection.
However, like any tool, it must be approached with discernment and wisdom. There is a lot that AI can do to help, but AI is a servant, not the master. We address some of these issues in a later chapter of this manual.
Some Things Never Change
We can consider what ministry is, and what we believe to be the unchanging foundations of our lives of service and faith. This is what we believe:
- The Word of God never changes. "Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens." Psalm 119:89 (NIV)
- The Good News (the gospel) of Jesus never changes. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
- The command and commission of Jesus is to Love God, Love Others and Make Disciples each of which is about people and relationships.
- Jesus lived, died, and rose again for people.
We could add more, but this is a helpful start.
So, what part does AI play in our ministry? ... in obeying the Greatest Commandment and enabling us to participate fully in the Great Commission?
What Can History Teach Us?
Over history, technology and innovation have played significant roles in God’s plan of salvation.
Prompt Idea: Ask ChatGPT: Can you list key inventions or innovations from the time of Jesus to today that have made a significant difference in the positive mission of the church?
You might discover that the mission of Jesus has benefitted from:
- The Codex - The adoption of a new Roman innovation of codices (or codex - parchments that were bound together like books) to spread the Scriptures in the 1st and 2nd Century.
- Paper – a Chinese invention brought to Europe in the 12th Century and used to spread Christian literature.
- The printing press - Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in 1440 revolutionized the Church’s ability to spread the Bible and Christian literature. The mass production of Bibles (notably the Gutenberg Bible) enabled widespread access to Scripture, fueling the Reformation and widespread education.
Throughout history, each new technological innovation (e.g faster transport, the newspaper, the telephone, airplanes, radio, film, TV, computers, the Internet, and mobile phones) has been used by followers of Jesus to carry out their work of service. Each technology can serve the greatest good and sadly can be used to promote evil.
AI is another technology in this extensive line that can assist in ministry tasks. It does not take away the need for humans to do what only humans can do. It can help speed up and simplify certain tasks, leaving more time for relationships and ministry. But as you will discover in this AI Academy, there are so many things that AI can do that might be useful to you.
What can AI do to help me with ministry?
For ministry leaders, the Bible is the single most important tool we have, and the ONLY tool required to achieve God’s purposes. However, AI is like another team member who has some skills that might be useful. Imagine if you had a team member who could help you:
| 1 | 2 |
|---|---|
| Brainstorm ideas for your talks | Explain what the original Greek words are in a Bible passage and what they mean |
| Design images and artwork | Translate text or video |
| Read long documents and give you a simple summary | Draft a camp program for 3, 5 or 10 days (however many you need) |
| Record meetings and type up the summary | Help you plan communication with parents |
| Create a song with lyrics you wrote based on your talk | Read a legal document and explain it in simple language |
| Take your writing and proofread it, simplify it, edit, and finish your writing | Explain a complex concept or a topic you are not sure how to communicate in words that an 8-year-old will understand |
| Help you think of questions based on your sermon / Bible talk. | Explain what the original Greek words are in a Bible passage and what they mean |
This is just the start! We all need team members who can help us get our work done. AI might be a blessing in areas where you lack skills, time, or ideas.
Case study – AI images in a Tribal Village
The 2023 World FlashLab. During one of our Zoom calls, an attendee asked for help generating art. They were rolling out a children’s mission and needed artwork. Their problem was that their hired artist was no longer able to do the work. They had no-one else to assist them, and time was running out!
Using Free software (BING image create) important flashcards for storytelling could be completed. This was the most practical way to tell stories in this culture. Our FlashLab learners were able to have what they urgently needed to complete their curriculum to share out in leader training.
Apart from being on time, these images were important because:
- They looked like the children in those villages
- No photographs of vulnerable children were used
- They lifted up the children and reflected a positive image of the children back to them.
- The ministry was able to have these images for no cost.
