Christians trust AI for spiritual growth, but a new Barna Group study shows that confidence comes with sharp concern. The research, conducted with Gloo, found that 48% of practicing Christians would trust artificial intelligence to help them grow spiritually.
The findings came from two State of the Church surveys. Researchers surveyed 1,514 American adults in November 2025 and 442 U.S. Protestant pastors the next month. The results revealed strong interest in AI and deep unease about its role in faith.
Confidence Extends Beyond Faith
Practicing Christians showed more trust in AI than pastors and non-practicing Christians. Many saw the technology as useful for more than spiritual growth.
About 61% said they would trust AI to improve their financial well-being. Another 56% trusted it to support mental and physical health. Many also said AI could help them find happiness, understand themselves, discover purpose and meaning, and build stronger relationships.
That openness highlights a broad shift in how Christians use digital tools. Yet the same respondents also worried that AI guidance could weaken spiritual authority because faith relies on trust, Scripture and community.
Scripture and Clergy Concerns Grow
The strongest concerns centered on biblical interpretation. Barna found that 83% of practicing Christians and 94% of pastors worry AI could misinterpret Scripture. Among American adults overall, 74% shared that fear.
Pastors also worried about replacement. About 63% said AI could replace clergy, while 72% of practicing Christians shared that concern. In addition, 73% of practicing Christians feared that greater reliance on AI could lead people away from faith.
Barna research leader Daniel Copeland described the data as confounding. Christians trust AI for spiritual growth, and some view its guidance as comparable to pastoral guidance. But large majorities still fear it could misread Scripture, replace God, or undermine spiritual leaders.
Supporters and Detractors See Different Risks
Supporters see AI as a helpful tool for personal growth, church work and daily decision-making. Other Barna findings showed that about 60% of church leaders use AI personally several times each month.
Detractors warn that AI could reduce pastors’ influence and damage congregational trust. Separate Barna-backed research found 65% of pastors feared AI could diminish their role as spiritual guides, and about 70% worried it could weaken trust between pastors and congregations.
Barna Survey Finds Nearly Half of Practicing Christians Trust AI for Spiritual Growth
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