Guides

Can Pastors Use AI for Sermons? What Denominations Say

The short answer: most published church guidance allows AI to help with research and preparation, and draws the line at AI replacing the preacher's own study, prayer, and voice. Here is what each one says, in its own words.

What pastors are doing

In a December 2025 Barna survey of 442 U.S. Protestant pastors, 24% said they use AI to write or edit sermons, while only 27% felt positive about AI writing a sermon. Source: Barna, "Church AI Policies: Pastors Say They're Needed. Few Exist."

What denominations and conferences say

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Leaders who use AI should be "Never using generative AI as a substitute for prayerful biblical exegesis, sermon preparation, pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, theological judgment or core teaching of Scripture." Source: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), The Algorithm and the Almighty (2026)

Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference, UMC

Lists "AI brainstorming for the beginning stages of sermon writing" as a good, helpful use, and "Generating an entire sermon, weekly newsletter, or pastor's message" as a problematic use. Source: Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference, UMC, AI Guidelines (May 2026)

Virginia Conference, UMC

"AI may assist with preparation and administration, but it cannot substitute for incarnational ministry: the Eucharist, baptism, the hospital visit, the funeral, the spoken sermon, or the pastor's prayer at a family's table." Source: Virginia Conference, UMC, Interim AI Guidance

Michigan Conference, UMC

"We therefore believe that ministers of the Word are sufficiently equipped for their work of preaching and teaching by the movement of the Holy Spirit through prayer and the reasoned study of our scriptures and traditions." Source: Michigan Conference, UMC, AI Task Force 2026 Report

The Methodist Church in Britain

"AI tools may assist tasks within the life of the Church, but do not exercise ministry in themselves." The report says AI may support preparation, organisation, and administration but should not substitute for personal judgement, theological reflection, or relational engagement. Source: The Methodist Church in Britain, Conference 2026 report on Artificial Intelligence

United Reformed Church

Does not prohibit AI help but asks for transparency when AI has meaningfully contributed to significant work, including "sermon outlines." Source: United Reformed Church (UK), Generative AI Guidance

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

"AI cannot replace the individual work and spiritual guidance required to prepare divinely inspired talks, lessons, prayers, or blessings. However, AI can be helpful for research, editing, translation, and similar tasks." Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, General Handbook guidance on AI (Dec 2025)

Where they agree

1. Most accept AI help with research, brainstorming, and editing.
2. Most discourage letting AI write the sermon itself, or see it as a substitute for the preacher's calling.
3. Several ask you to say so when AI shaped the content in a real way.

See the full policy library or our guide to AI disclosure statements.

Quotes taken from linked public documents, checked October 2026. Summaries are ours. This is general information, not legal advice.