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Pastors Embrace AI, Yet 73% of Churches Lack Policies - Survey Reveals High Adoption and Governance Gap
When the 2026 State of AI in the Church report hit the airwaves, it painted a picture of enthusiasm that was hard to ignore. Ninety‑one percent of surveyed pastors said they support using artificial intelligence in ministry, sixty‑one percent admit to using AI tools on a regular basis, and a staggering ninety‑three percent have already woven AI into their day‑to‑day work. Yet, almost three‑quarters of respondents—seventy‑three percent—confessed that their churches have no formal AI policy in place.
The data came from the Church Tech Today podcast’s annual State of AI in the Church report, a comprehensive look at how faith communities are integrating new technology. While adoption is high, the report underscores a stark governance gap. It also catalogues the most common AI‑assisted tasks: text content creation tops the list at thirty‑six percent, followed by research (22 percent), image and graphics generation (21 percent), and administrative work (13 percent).
Kenny Jahng, founder of AIforChurchLeaders.com and host of the Church Tech Today podcast, summed up the paradox: the policy gap represents a "leadership crisis dressed up as innovation." He explained that churches already use AI to draft sermons, craft newsletters, and manage social‑media posts, but without shared guidelines, staff and volunteers may apply the technology inconsistently.
To address this, Jahng proposes a straightforward, four‑question framework: 1. Which tools are approved? 2. Which activities are off‑limits? 3. Who reviews content before it is published? 4. How do we disclose AI use to the congregation?
He points listeners to a self‑guided masterclass at aipolicysimplesimple.com, where leaders can build a customized policy in a weekend using Canva templates.
For pastors new to AI, the podcast offers practical first steps. Jahng recommends starting with a low‑stakes problem—perhaps refining a sermon illustration or polishing a newsletter draft—by simply describing the issue to a chatbot like ChatGPT or Claude. "Taking the first steps is going to help you figure out what the next steps are going to be," he said.
When asked whether AI can be used for sermon preparation without compromising integrity, Jahng answered affirmatively but cautioned that pastors must remain the source of spiritual insight. "You can use AI for research, brainstorming, and editing, but you have to show up on the back end," he explained.
Jahng also urged churches to preach about AI. He argues that congregants—especially younger members—expect pastors to address the technology’s ethical and theological implications. Framing AI as a tool built by people who bear the image of a creative God, he stresses that its use should serve God and people, not replace pastoral care.
For staff, Jahng lists permissible uses—graphics, social‑media drafts, bulletin copy, event descriptions, email newsletters, and meeting summaries—while warning against AI in high‑stakes contexts such as pastoral counseling, crisis communication, or any situation requiring a human presence.
The Church Tech Today podcast offers additional resources. AIforChurchLeaders.com hosts a library of video training and monthly workshops, and the podcast’s website, FrontDoor.church, provides access to the AI policy masterclass and other materials.
The 2026 State of AI in the Church report also flags the policy gap as a "dangerous" issue, noting that many pastors lack theological literacy and implementation frameworks. It calls for leaders to develop thoughtful policies that guide AI use while protecting congregational trust.
In short, AI is already a part of many churches’ daily operations, but the majority of leaders lack formal governance. The available resources—policy templates, masterclasses, and practical guides—offer a path to align technology use with ministry goals and ethical standards. The next steps for churches include reviewing current AI practices, drafting a simple policy, and engaging staff and congregants in transparent conversations about AI’s role in ministry.
The data came from the Church Tech Today podcast’s annual State of AI in the Church report, a comprehensive look at how faith communities are integrating new technology. While adoption is high, the report underscores a stark governance gap. It also catalogues the most common AI‑assisted tasks: text content creation tops the list at thirty‑six percent, followed by research (22 percent), image and graphics generation (21 percent), and administrative work (13 percent).
Kenny Jahng, founder of AIforChurchLeaders.com and host of the Church Tech Today podcast, summed up the paradox: the policy gap represents a "leadership crisis dressed up as innovation." He explained that churches already use AI to draft sermons, craft newsletters, and manage social‑media posts, but without shared guidelines, staff and volunteers may apply the technology inconsistently.
To address this, Jahng proposes a straightforward, four‑question framework: 1. Which tools are approved? 2. Which activities are off‑limits? 3. Who reviews content before it is published? 4. How do we disclose AI use to the congregation?
He points listeners to a self‑guided masterclass at aipolicysimplesimple.com, where leaders can build a customized policy in a weekend using Canva templates.
For pastors new to AI, the podcast offers practical first steps. Jahng recommends starting with a low‑stakes problem—perhaps refining a sermon illustration or polishing a newsletter draft—by simply describing the issue to a chatbot like ChatGPT or Claude. "Taking the first steps is going to help you figure out what the next steps are going to be," he said.
When asked whether AI can be used for sermon preparation without compromising integrity, Jahng answered affirmatively but cautioned that pastors must remain the source of spiritual insight. "You can use AI for research, brainstorming, and editing, but you have to show up on the back end," he explained.
Jahng also urged churches to preach about AI. He argues that congregants—especially younger members—expect pastors to address the technology’s ethical and theological implications. Framing AI as a tool built by people who bear the image of a creative God, he stresses that its use should serve God and people, not replace pastoral care.
For staff, Jahng lists permissible uses—graphics, social‑media drafts, bulletin copy, event descriptions, email newsletters, and meeting summaries—while warning against AI in high‑stakes contexts such as pastoral counseling, crisis communication, or any situation requiring a human presence.
The Church Tech Today podcast offers additional resources. AIforChurchLeaders.com hosts a library of video training and monthly workshops, and the podcast’s website, FrontDoor.church, provides access to the AI policy masterclass and other materials.
The 2026 State of AI in the Church report also flags the policy gap as a "dangerous" issue, noting that many pastors lack theological literacy and implementation frameworks. It calls for leaders to develop thoughtful policies that guide AI use while protecting congregational trust.
In short, AI is already a part of many churches’ daily operations, but the majority of leaders lack formal governance. The available resources—policy templates, masterclasses, and practical guides—offer a path to align technology use with ministry goals and ethical standards. The next steps for churches include reviewing current AI practices, drafting a simple policy, and engaging staff and congregants in transparent conversations about AI’s role in ministry.
