For a realistic social media strategy your church can actually sustain, see our small church social media guide.
For a practical guide to preaching through a book of the Bible, see our expository preaching guide for small church pastors.
By Brent Lacy
AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are genuinely useful for pastors, especially bi-vocational pastors with limited time. But most pastors do not know how to prompt them effectively. A vague prompt produces a vague result. A specific, well-crafted prompt produces something actually useful.
This is a free library of prompts designed specifically for small church ministry. Copy them, adapt them to your context, and use them as starting points, not finished products. Always review and edit AI output before using it in ministry.
Sermon Preparation Prompts
Sermon Background Research
“I am preaching on [passage] this Sunday to a congregation of [size] in a [rural/small town/suburban] community. Give me: (1) the historical and cultural context of this passage, (2) the main theological themes, (3) three common misunderstandings of this text, and (4) two or three illustrations from everyday life that would connect with a working-class rural audience.”
Sermon Outline Generator
“Help me outline a 25-minute expository sermon on [passage]. My main point is [one sentence]. Give me three supporting points from the text, a brief introduction that opens with a relatable story or question, and a conclusion that calls the congregation to a specific response. Write in a conversational style, not academic.”
Illustration Finder
“I am preaching on [theme/passage] and need 3-4 illustrations that would connect with a small-town or rural congregation. The illustrations should involve everyday situations like farming, family, work, or community life. Not corporate or urban examples.. Each illustration should be 2-3 sentences.”
Application Questions
“Based on [passage], give me 5 application questions I can use in a small group discussion. The questions should move from observation (what does the text say?) to interpretation (what does it mean?) to application (what do I do with it?). Make them specific enough to generate honest conversation, not generic enough to be answered with yes or no.”
Pastoral Care Prompts
Hospital Visit Preparation
“I am visiting a church member who is [situation: recovering from surgery / facing a terminal diagnosis / grieving a loss]. Give me: (1) 3-4 Scripture passages that would be appropriate to read or reference, (2) 2-3 questions I could ask to open genuine conversation, and (3) a brief prayer I could offer at the end of the visit. Keep the tone warm and pastoral, not clinical.”
Difficult Conversation Preparation
“I need to have a difficult conversation with a church member about [situation]. Help me think through: (1) what I want to communicate clearly, (2) how to open the conversation in a way that is honest but not harsh, (3) what their likely response might be and how to handle it, and (4) what a good outcome would look like. I want to be direct and caring, not evasive.”
Church Communications Prompts
Newsletter Article
“Write a 200-word newsletter article for a small rural church about [topic]. The tone should be warm, pastoral, and practical. Write it like a letter from a pastor who knows his congregation personally. Avoid church jargon. End with one specific action the reader can take this week.”
Social Media Post
“Write 3 Facebook posts for a small church about [topic/event/sermon series]. Each post should be 2-3 sentences, conversational in tone, and end with a question or call to action. The audience is rural and small-town. Avoid corporate-sounding language.”
Announcement Script
“Write a 60-second verbal announcement for Sunday morning about [event/program]. It should be conversational, not read like a flyer. Include what it is, who it is for, when and where it happens, and one specific reason someone should come.”
Administrative Prompts
Meeting Agenda
“Create a 90-minute board meeting agenda for a small church. The meeting needs to cover: [list your agenda items]. Include time allocations for each item, a brief opening devotional, and a closing prayer. Format it so it can be printed and distributed to board members.”
Job Description
“Write a job description for a [position] at a small rural church of [size] people. The position is [full-time/part-time/bi-vocational]. Include: a brief description of the church and community, the primary responsibilities, the qualifications required, and how to apply. Keep it honest and specific. Not a generic template.”
Important Reminders When Using AI
If MinistryPlace has helped your ministry, consider supporting MinistryPlace to help keep these resources free for small church leaders.
Free Resource: AI and Technology Resources for Churches
MinistryPlace offers free AI ethics guides, prompt libraries, policy templates, and practical AI tools for small churches.
MinistryPlace has a full library of free resources for small and rural churches. No email required, no subscription, no catch.