Hey, it’s Brady,

64% of church leaders say an AI policy is important.

Only 5% have one. (Source: Barna)

Here's what belongs in yours - and I’ve got a free template to get you started.

#1: SERMON PREPARATION

Is your pastor using AI to research, outline, or draft sermons? That's not automatically wrong - but your church should decide where the line is.

Does AI help with research and brainstorming? Fine for most churches. Is AI writing full sermon drafts? That's worth a conversation. Should AI use be disclosed to the congregation? Your call - but make it a conscious one.

#2: CHURCH COMMUNICATIONS

Who's writing your church's Instagram captions? Your email newsletters? Your website copy?

If the answer is "AI, mostly" - that's not a scandal. But your team should know where AI-generated content is acceptable and where a human voice is non-negotiable.

Announcements and event descriptions? Probably fine. A letter from the pastor to a grieving family? Probably not.

#3: COUNSELING AND SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE

This is the big one.

30% of practicing Christians already say spiritual advice from AI is as trustworthy as advice from a pastor. Your people are asking ChatGPT theological questions whether you address it or not.

Your policy should say something. Encourage it? Caution against it? Offer guardrails?

#4: DATA PRIVACY

If your church is using AI tools - for communication, for admin, for anything - you're feeding information into those tools.

Congregant names. Prayer requests. Counseling notes. Giving data.

Your policy should be clear about what information can and cannot be entered into AI platforms.

Here's the good news - this doesn't need to be a 50-page document.

A one-page statement of principles is enough to start. Four sections. Clear language. A living document you revisit as AI changes.

We’ve made it easy for you. We wrote the policy. You can customize it.

Download it here.

In 1985, 67% of Americans rated pastors high in honesty and ethics. Today? Just 27% - and only 17% among those under 35. It’s one of the steepest trust declines of any profession. The question isn’t if this affects your church - it does. The question is what you do about it.

Get our suggestions here.

Thanks as always for your time, attention, and trust. Talk to you next Thursday. - Brady Shearer