Guides

Church AI Guidelines by Denomination: Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, and More

The short answer: most of the published guidelines below keep a person responsible for AI output and keep confidential information out of public AI tools, but the details differ by tradition. Published AI guidelines, grouped by tradition. Every entry here comes from our verified policy library.

Catholic

Archdiocese of Seattle

Every AI tool needs documented local approval after a written request, licensing and vendor review, privacy and security assessment, and an ethical and mission alignment review. "No AI solution may be adopted or used for official parish or school purposes without documented approval from local leadership or their designated technical authority." Source: Archdiocese of Seattle, Archdiocesan AI Policy for Parishes and Schools (2026)

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Applies to individuals who work, volunteer, or minister in the Archdiocese. Requires a work email address to log in to AI tools and prior approval to use tools the Archdiocese doesn't provide, and prohibits infringing privacy, copyright, or other rights. Source: Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Generative AI Use Policy (Admin Handbook Section 10.10)

Methodist

Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference, UMC

Keeps a human in the loop, three content categories for disclosure, sensitive data kept out of AI tools, tool selection criteria, and review at least annually. Source: Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference, UMC, AI Guidelines (May 2026)

Virginia Conference, UMC

Interim guidance. Pastoral confidences and personal data stay out of public AI tools, AI cannot replace the spoken sermon or sacramental ministry, and local bodies may set stricter standards. Source: Virginia Conference, UMC, Interim AI Guidance

Michigan Conference, UMC

A Wesleyan reflection urging caution about AI in preaching and teaching, and encouraging churches to build relationships with people who have different gifts rather than replacing them with AI. 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." Stresses careful data handling, justice and environmental impact, and training. Source: The Methodist Church in Britain, Conference 2026 report on Artificial Intelligence

Baptist and Evangelical

Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (SBC)

Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles, a set of affirmations and denials grounded in the image of God and human moral responsibility. It is a theological statement rather than a staff policy. Source: Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (SBC), Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles

Presbyterian and Reformed

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The Algorithm and the Almighty, approved by the 227th General Assembly (2026): disclosure, "AI-assisted" labeling, human moral agency, and no substitute for exegesis, sermon preparation, or pastoral counseling. Source: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), The Algorithm and the Almighty (2026)

United Reformed Church (UK)

Practical guidance for staff, ministers, elders, volunteers, and local churches on privacy, safeguarding, human review, and transparency. Source: United Reformed Church (UK), Generative AI Guidance

Lutheran

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

A 2026 foundational paper applying existing ELCA social teaching to AI. It says it does not introduce new social teaching. Source: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, AI and ELCA Social Teaching (2026)

Anglican

Diocese of York (Church of England)

Parish resources including AI policy guidance for PCCs, an employee usage policy parishes may adapt, an account setup guide, and a quick reference checklist. Source: Diocese of York (Church of England), AI Guidance for Parishes

Other traditions

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

General Handbook guidance (December 2025): AI can help with research, editing, and translation but cannot replace inspired preparation, and sensitive member data stays out of unmanaged tools. Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, General Handbook guidance on AI (Dec 2025)

World Council of Churches

Communications guidelines: human review of all AI content, citation of AI tools for significant content, and no sensitive information in AI tools. Source: World Council of Churches, Use of AI in WCC Communications

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