AI Is Already in Your Church. Do You Have a Policy?

Your pastor uses it to brainstorm sermon illustrations. Your worship leader asks it for song suggestions that fit the sermon theme. Your administrative assistant drafts the weekly bulletin with it. Your social media volunteer generates graphics with it.

The question is no longer whether AI will be used in your church. It already is.

The real question is: will you set guidelines — or let habits form without intention?

What the Research Tells Us

A 2026 Subsplash survey found that 91 percent of church leaders support the use of AI in ministry — yet only 7 percent have established a formal policy (Subsplash, How to Build a Church AI Policy). That gap between adoption and guidance is where problems start.

The Southern Baptist Convention became the first major denomination to pass a formal resolution on artificial intelligence, calling the church to “proactively engage and shape these emerging technologies rather than simply respond after they have already affected our churches and communities” (SBC, On Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, 2023).

The Presbyterian Church (USA) hosted a 2025 AI and the Church Summit, producing a framework that treats AI as a site of power requiring theological discernment — not just a productivity tool (PCUSA, AI and the Church).

The 2019 Evangelical Statement of Principles on AI, led by the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, declared that “the church has a unique role in proclaiming human dignity and calling for the humane use of AI in all aspects of society” (Christianity Today, Evangelical Report on AI Ethics).

Every one of these sources points to the same conclusion: the church cannot afford to be passive.

What This Free Template Covers

This template addresses the five most common AI use cases in church settings:

Sermon and teaching preparation. How pastors and teachers can use AI tools for research, brainstorming, and drafting — while maintaining their own voice, theological integrity, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

Administrative tasks. Guidelines for using AI in emails, newsletters, scheduling, and other operational work — including when human review is required before distribution.

Creative content. AI-generated images, music, and text for worship slides, social media, and church communications — and how to handle attribution and copyright considerations.

Children and youth data. Special protections for minors’ information in any AI-assisted process. Churches have a heightened responsibility to protect children’s data, and AI tools that collect or process information from minors require explicit guidelines.

Transparency. When and how to disclose AI use to your congregation. Your people deserve to know how technology is being used in their church — and a simple, honest disclosure builds trust rather than eroding it.

Why a Policy Matters More Than the Tool

The same tool can be used responsibly or irresponsibly. AI is not the problem — the absence of guidance is. An AI policy protects your church, your staff, and your congregation. It models thoughtful engagement with technology for the broader community.

As Subsplash puts it: “Establishing a clear policy is not about restricting helpful technology. It is about ensuring that you, the pastor, remain the shepherd of your community.” AI cannot pray. It cannot repent. It cannot replace the physical presence of a faithful pastor.

The Data Privacy Risk Most Small Churches Overlook

The most significant AI risk for most small churches is not sermon quality. It is data privacy. Most AI tools’ terms of service allow them to store, train on, or access submitted data. Church member names, addresses, prayer requests, giving records, and counseling notes should never be entered into public AI platforms.

Subsplash recommends a strict rule: “Never upload personal, identifiable information into public text generators. If data contains real human vulnerability, it must stay entirely inside your secure church systems.” That is not paranoia. It is stewardship.

From Policy to Practice

A policy is only as good as its implementation. Once you have a policy, share it with your team. Train your volunteers. And revisit it regularly.

Subsplash recommends a simple transparency line in your bulletin, on your website, or in a newsletter: “Our team uses AI tools to assist with content creation; all ministry communications are reviewed and approved by a staff member before distribution.” That kind of honesty goes a long way toward building trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we really need an AI policy for a small church?
Yes. Even if your pastor is the only one using AI, a policy ensures consistent practices and protects your church from unintended misuse. The SBC resolution makes clear: the time to engage is now, not after a problem arises.

What if our staff is already using AI without a policy?
That is exactly why you need one. A policy brings existing practices into the open and ensures everyone is on the same page moving forward.

Does this template cover data privacy for children and youth?
Yes. The template includes specific guidance on protecting minors’ information in any AI-assisted process.

Can I customize this template for our denomination?
Absolutely. Whether you are Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, or non-denominational, you can add your tradition’s specific theological commitments and governance structure.

Is this template legally binding?
This is a starting point, not a legal document. For churches with specific legal concerns, consult an attorney familiar with your state’s nonprofit and privacy laws.

Get the Free Template

This template gives you a starting point you can adapt for your church. It is written for small and rural churches — the ones that need clear guidance the most but are least likely to afford a consultant.

Download it, customize it, and put it to work.

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This page was written by Sid Brooks based on research from Subsplash, the Southern Baptist Convention, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Evangelical Statement on AI Ethics. The free template is available for immediate download.