A Christian Guide to Using AI Sermon Tools with Wisdom & Integrity

AI sermon tools are starting to show up in more and more places—sermon prep, church offices, even casual conversations among pastors. Many of these tools are marketed directly to ministry leaders, promising faster research, cleaner outlines, or better illustrations.

That raises a fair question: How do we receive help from new technology without letting it crowd out the spiritual work preaching requires?

It also helps to say this plainly at the start. Even many “Christian-branded” AI tools sit on top of the same large, secular AI models used across the wider tech world. That means the same limitations, blind spots, and biases are still present beneath the surface. A faith-friendly label does not remove the need for careful discernment.

What These AI Sermon Tools Actually Do

Most AI tools do not “understand” Scripture or listen to the Spirit. They generate plausible-sounding text by predicting language patterns based on enormous amounts of existing material. In practice, that means they can:

• Summarize large amounts of information
• Suggest possible sermon structures
• Offer examples or discussion questions
• Help smooth or clarify language

Used with care, these features can save time and reduce friction. Used without care, they can flatten theology, blur Scripture, or quietly short-circuit the slow work that forms a preacher’s heart.

Wise Uses vs. Clear Red Lines

One helpful way to approach AI in sermon prep is to name what kind of help is appropriate—and what kind crosses a line. Every church will draw those lines a little differently. That’s okay. What matters is that those boundaries are set by prayerful local leadership, not by software companies or cultural pressure.

Examples of Wise, Limited Uses

These uses treat AI as a tool, not a teacher:

• Brainstorming sermon outlines after you’ve spent time in the text.
• Clarifying background (historical or cultural) and then verifying it.
• Generating discussion questions for small groups or youth ministry.
• Polishing language for clarity, grammar, or accessibility.

Clear Red Lines

These boundaries help protect integrity and formation:

• Avoid asking AI to write full sermons.
• Avoid outsourcing exegesis or theological interpretation.
• Avoid preaching AI-generated content without deep rewriting and ownership.
• Guard sensitive information. Pastoral stories, counseling situations, and identifiable details should never be pasted into an AI tool. Protecting privacy is part of loving people well.

Authenticity, Integrity, and Plagiarism

AI also raises honest questions about authorship. If large portions of wording are borrowed or only lightly edited, pastors should pause and ask whether they are still being fully truthful with their people. Even when no human author is being copied, trust can erode if the process feels hidden or misleading.

A few simple practices help here:

• Use AI-generated language sparingly.
• Rewrite everything in your own pastoral voice.
• Be ready to explain your process if someone asks.

Integrity in preaching isn’t only about avoiding plagiarism. It’s about walking humbly and truthfully before God and the congregation (Micah 6:8).

Always Fact-Check and Theology-Check

AI tools can sound confident and still be wrong. They may misquote sources, invent references, or handle Scripture without context. That means every quote, historical claim, or theological assertion needs to be checked against trusted sources and the biblical text itself.

The Formation of the Preacher Matters

A question worth returning to again and again is not just, “Did this sermon land well?” but, “What is this process doing to me?”

Wrestling with Scripture forms patience, attentiveness, and humility. Shortcuts may still produce sermons that sound faithful, while quietly weakening the preacher’s own spiritual life. Technology should serve formation, not replace it.

Questions for Your Ministry Team

Before adopting any AI tool, talk through questions like these together:

• Where are we already using AI, formally or informally?
• Which tasks assist the preacher, and which are meant to shape the preacher?
• How will we ensure theological accuracy and accountability?