Churches across the UK are being encouraged to take a more intentional approach to artificial intelligence following the launch of new guidance designed to help Christian leaders navigate the opportunities and risks of the rapidly developing technology.
The AI Christian Partnership (AICP) has published ‘AI Guidelines for Christian Ministry’ - a practical resource developed in collaboration with The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion to help church leaders think carefully about how AI is used in ministry.
With AI being “silently adopted” across many churches, the guidance focuses on the use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot across preaching, pastoral ministry and church administration.
It explores the ethical, pastoral and practical implications of AI while offering recommendations for its day-to-day use, alongside a template statement that churches can adapt to clarify their own position on AI.
Although written primarily for church leaders, the ethical principles and practical recommendations are relevant to all Christians, the authors say.
Chris Goswami, founder of AICP, warned that churches should not drift into adopting AI by default.
He said: “AI can be a great asset for ministry, or it can leave us with a fast-food version of ministry. As with social media it may only be much later, with hindsight, that we understand the impact of AI - therefore, we encourage churches with foresight to give serious consideration to this now.”
The guidelines were piloted earlier this year with churches from four denominations and reviewed by UK specialists before being revised in light of feedback.
Among the themes explored is the question of not only how churches should use AI, but when they should choose not to use it.
The report highlights benefits like support with administration, research, translation and creativity. However it also warns of risks including inaccurate information, loss of critical thinking, data privacy concerns, diminished spiritual formation, and the possibility of AI replacing meaningful human interaction.
The document argues that AI can never replace human ministry because it lacks embodiment, moral agency and the capacity for “a relationship with God”.
It also encourages churches to treat AI “as an intern, not an expert”, recommending that any AI-generated material be carefully checked by a human and used primarily to critique or refine work rather than create it.
Ruth Bancewicz, Church Engagement Director at The Faraday Institute and a member of the AICP core team, said churches needed practical help to navigate AI responsibly.
“These guidelines are a welcome contribution, as they encourage Christians to approach AI thoughtfully and with accountability,” she said.
The resource seeks to strike a balance between policy-heavy documents, academic discussions of AI ethics and overly simplistic advice, making it accessible for churches of all sizes and traditions.
The publication comes amid growing debate over AI’s role in Christian ministry.
Last year, The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion launched its ‘AI for Humanity’ Research Hub, spearheaded by Graham Budd, to examine how advances in artificial intelligence could affect human dignity, relationships, spiritual formation and the essence of humanity.
The initiative brings together theologians, philosophers, psychologists and computer scientists to explore how AI can be developed and used in ways that support rather than reduce human flourishing.
Research released earlier this year by Barna and Pushpay found that while many church leaders are already using AI to assist with tasks like writing, communication and content creation, relatively few churches have formal policies governing its use.
The study also found widespread concerns about plagiarism, data privacy, authenticity in preaching, and the potential erosion of trust between pastors and congregations.
The subject has also been raised by leading Christian thinkers.
Speaking at the Christian Broadcasting Council’s Revive 2026 conference in London in May, Oxford mathematician John Lennox welcomed AI’s potential in areas including medicine and Bible translation but cautioned that overdependence on the technology could weaken critical thinking and effectively make society lazy. He also warned of an increased risk of deception through misinformation and deepfakes.
