There’s no way around it — AI is a powerful tool. It’s finding its way into nearly every domain, and ministry is no exception. Still, many pastors are hesitant to embrace it. I get that. But when used wisely, AI can serve as a helpful assistant rather than a harmful shortcut.
Here are three ways to use tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to strengthen your preaching.
Use it ethically
Let me be clear: you should not ask AI to write your sermon. I’ll take it a step further — if you’re even tempted to do that, you probably shouldn’t be preaching. Sermon preparation is a Holy Spirit-guided process in which a pastor derives his message from the scripture for his church. With that said, AI can be an incredibly helpful research assistant as you prepare.
Here are a few ways I’ve used it ethically in sermon prep:
- “Give me a summary of John Calvin’s commentary on [insert sermon text].”
- “Provide relevant quotes from Timothy Keller, John Stott, J.I. Packer, or similar voices on [insert sermon text or topic].”
- “Summarize [insert sermon text] from a Reformed, gospel-centered perspective, and recommend any helpful resources for further study.”
Use it conversationally
Think of AI as a conversation partner in sermon prep. Some pastors have large staffs and gather weekly for sermon labs or feedback sessions. I don’t have that luxury — so I use AI. AI can help you see your sermon through the eyes of your audience and refine it before Sunday.
Once I’ve written a rough draft, I’ll upload it and ask:
- “Give me honest feedback on this sermon draft. What’s strong, what’s weak, what’s missing?”
- “How might a non-Christian relate to this sermon? What questions or challenges would they have?”
- “How would a new believer respond to this message? What parts might be confusing or unclear?”
Use it editorially
After years of preaching, I’ve learned that a 35-minute sermon for me is about 2,800 words. When my manuscript runs long, I’ll ask AI to “trim my notes by 250 words.”
I also use it to sharpen clarity and flow. For example:
- “Clarify my sermon’s main idea or proposition.”
- “Identify redundancies in this sermon.”
- “Rephrase my main points to make them more memorable.”
In summary, AI is a tool — not a teacher. Used wisely and ethically, it can help you think more clearly, write more effectively, and preach more faithfully. Don’t replace the Spirit’s guidance with an algorithm. But don’t ignore a tool that can help you serve your people better, either.
