Emphasizing Spiritual Maturity Over Technological Shortcuts
The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention has released a new guide, titled “The Work of Our Hands: Christian Ministry in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” The document encourages pastors and ministry leaders to establish clear boundaries when utilizing AI in church contexts. It warns against using AI to bypass spiritual growth, stating that technology should not “short-circuit or cut short the process of maturation and development of wisdom.”
Caution Against AI-Generated Sermons
A central concern in the guide is the rise of AI-drafted sermons. The ERLC argues that while AI can help with sermon preparation, it must never replace the preacher’s divine calling to communicate God’s Word. According to the guide, sermon development is a sacred process that renews and refines the preacher’s heart. Replacing this process with AI, the commission says, leads to a loss of meaningful engagement with Scripture. AI should only supplement work done through prayer, study, and reflection.
Respecting Human Roles and Dignity
The ERLC also cautions church leaders against using AI in ways that displace key aspects of ministry. It insists that technology must enhance, not replace, the human element of Christian service. The guide emphasizes that using AI to “subvert the human calling as image bearers of God” diminishes human dignity. Instead, AI should serve as a tool that complements holistic spiritual transformation—encompassing mind, body, and heart.
Rooted in Faith and Community
The document underscores that AI should never replace embodied Christian community. True fellowship, it says, must remain grounded in relationships with God and others. The ERLC concludes that all technology, including AI, must reflect the sovereignty of God and uphold the “immeasurable dignity of all people.”
Support and Criticism
Supporters praise the ERLC’s caution, seeing it as a faithful reminder that technology must serve spiritual purposes. Critics, however, argue the guidelines may discourage innovation and limit the church’s engagement with emerging digital tools that could expand ministry reach.
Source:
ERLC Issues Caution Against Reliance on AI in Sermon Preparation
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