I spent 18 months building AI-adjacent features at SermonCentral. Our tools helped pastors research, prepare, and teach. During that time, I evaluated several AI platforms targeting ministry, including tools from major players like Logos and various smaller platforms. I currently lead product for a Bible-focused platform, which gives me ongoing insight into how pastors use digital tools.
So when pastors ask me about AI tools, I’m sharing what I’ve observed from both building and using these platforms in ministry contexts.
Here’s what I’ve learned: the most effective AI tools for pastors aren’t necessarily the ones with the most features. They’re the ones that understand where AI helps and where it doesn’t.
AI is moving at such a rapid pace. Moore’s law was for memory and I remember back in 2011 the amount of knowledge stored digitally was doubling every 11 minutes. I can’t even imagine what it’s at now. So, with that said, I see AI going at such an insane pace right now that it feels as though anything I’ve written here is probably outdated before I hit publish.
Sermon Research: Emerging AI Options
SermonAI appears to be gaining attention
SermonAI positions itself as an alternative to expensive comprehensive software packages. Based on my testing, it focuses on research assistance rather than content generation.
What it appears designed for: Cross-reference generation, outline structures, and illustration suggestions. The tool seems aimed at the research phase and helping pastors find connections between passages.
The platform costs $29 monthly.
What it doesn’t claim to do: Generate complete sermons. The positioning emphasizes research assistance rather than finished content creation.
Logos has added AI features
Logos has integrated conversational AI into their existing commentary and resource library. The advantage: it can search across resources in your existing library. The consideration: it requires an existing Logos investment.
I’ve tested both SermonAI and Logos’ AI features. Each has different strengths depending on your existing workflow and resource library.
Bible Gateway’s approach
Full disclosure: I work for Bible Gateway’s parent company. Our AI features will focus on reading comprehension for individual Bible study rather than sermon preparation, helping readers understand difficult passages rather than preparing teaching content.
Bible Study Tools: Mixed AI Integration
YouVersion Bible App
The YouVersion app has experimented with various features over time. For current AI capabilities and pricing, pastors should check directly with YouVersion rather than rely on third-party reports.
Traditional resources remain valuable
After working on AI features for ministry applications, I still observe pastors using physical commentaries and concordances for deep study. AI appears most helpful for broad research and initial connection-finding, while sustained study often benefits from traditional approaches.
Church Management: Limited AI Integration
Planning Center and similar platforms
Various church management platforms are experimenting with AI features. For specific capabilities and availability, pastors should verify directly with vendors rather than assume features exist.
ChurchTrac and scheduling optimization
Some platforms use algorithmic optimization for volunteer scheduling based on availability patterns. This represents a more straightforward application of automation technology to logistical problems.
For current features and pricing, check directly with platform providers.
Content Creation: Variable Results
Canva’s design assistance
Canva has integrated AI image generation and text suggestions. For church communications, these tools can help with graphics creation, though results vary based on specific needs.
The AI appears to handle visual design well but may struggle with theological nuance. Complex theological concepts often require human insight for appropriate visual representation.
Presentation tools
Various platforms offer AI assistance for turning outlines into slides. Results tend to be professionally formatted but may lack the contextual understanding needed for specific congregational needs.
Pastoral Perspectives on AI Usage
Based on discussions with ministry leaders, comfort levels with AI appear to vary by application:
- Administrative tasks: Generally high comfort
- Research assistance: Moderate to high comfort among those with theological training
- Content structure help: Mixed comfort, varies by individual
- Content generation: Generally low comfort due to pastoral responsibility concerns
Comfort levels likely correlate with factors like theological education, church context, and individual technology adoption patterns, though specific data would be needed to verify these relationships.
Recommendations by Context
Smaller ministry contexts:
Consider starting with research-focused tools and basic administrative automation. Budget considerations will vary based on specific tools chosen. Claude CoWork has helped out many ministries I know of and it seems like they’ve smoothed out much of the onboarding process.
Larger ministry contexts:
May benefit from more comprehensive platforms, though implementation should account for staff training and congregation expectations.
All contexts:
Verify current features and pricing directly with vendors, as AI capabilities in this space evolve rapidly.
The Practical Assessment
Based on developing AI features for ministry tools: AI appears most effective at research tasks, moderately helpful for organization, and limited to never in replacing pastoral judgment.
Successful implementations seem to focus on enhancing research capabilities rather than replacing pastoral decision-making. AI cannot understand congregational needs, pastoral relationships, or the contextual factors that shape ministry decisions.
The most effective approach likely involves using AI where it demonstrates clear value — information processing, research assistance, and administrative efficiency — while maintaining human oversight for theological interpretation and pastoral application.
The future probably isn’t pastors versus AI, but pastors using better research tools while preserving the relational and interpretive aspects of ministry that require human wisdom.
“The simple believe everything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” (Proverbs 14:15, ESV) This principle applies to evaluating new technology tools as much as any other area of pastoral leadership.
Note: AI capabilities in ministry tools change rapidly. Verify current features and pricing directly with providers before making decisions. This assessment reflects observations from my experience building and testing these tools, not comprehensive market research.
Photo by Eric O. IBEKWEM on Unsplash