94% of Pastors Say Churches Need AI Guidance. 79% of Their Churches Have None
Barna's Faith & AI research finds most Protestant pastors already use AI — mostly for study and admin, rarely for sermons — and are far more cautious than their congregations about letting it near Scripture or counselling
The short answer
According to Barna Group research reported by Christian Today, 94% of U.S. Protestant pastors surveyed in December 2025 agreed that churches should provide guidance on AI, but 79% said their own churches had neither written policies nor informal guidelines; only 4% had an official AI policy. Pastors mostly use AI for exploring ideas (50%), biblical and theological research (36%) and admin; 24% have used it to draft or revise sermons. Only 10% view AI in spiritual counselling positively.
Most pastors are already using artificial intelligence. Most of their churches haven't decided what they think about it.
The Gap
Barna Group surveyed 442 U.S. Protestant pastors online in December 2025 as part of its Faith & AI research with Gloo:
"94% of U.S. Protestant pastors say churches need AI guidance, but 79% of their churches have none. Pastors mostly use AI for study and admin, and are far more cautious than their congregations about AI in sermons, Scripture or counselling."
Click to copy and share- 94% agreed churches should provide some guidance on AI.
- 79% said their own church has neither written policies nor informal guidelines.
- Only 4% have an official AI policy; another 17% offer informal guidance.
Pastors are split on the form it should take: 45% favour a written policy, 49% informal guidelines, and 6% think churches need neither.
How Pastors Use It
- 50% use AI to explore ideas.
- 36% for research on biblical and theological topics.
- 34% to develop small-group questions, and 34% for admin.
- 24% have used it to draft or revise sermons.
"Pastors are predominantly using AI for behind-the-scenes work," said Barna's Daniel Copeland. "They're using it to prepare for ministry, not to replace what happens when they're actually with people."
Where Pastors Draw the Line
Pastors are far more wary of AI doing spiritual work:
- 64% feel positive about AI developing Bible study and small-group programmes.
- 37% about AI writing prayers; 33% worship songs.
- 29% about AI interpreting Scripture; 27% writing sermons.
- Just 10% about AI in spiritual counselling.
Their congregations are more relaxed. Among practising Christians, 58% viewed AI writing sermons positively, 58% AI interpreting Scripture, and 47% AI in spiritual counselling.
Wisdom From Pastors
"As Christians, we believe our integrity matters just as much as, if not more than, the outcome," said Sharon Hodde Miller of Bright City Church in Raleigh-Durham, urging pastors to be open about their sources. Carey Nieuwhof offered a simple test: "One of the best things that you can do is write the first draft yourself... If you are uncomfortable disclosing how you use AI, you are overusing it."
Why It Matters
People are already bringing their spiritual questions to machines — ChatGPT fields some 70 million religion questions a week. Churches don't need to fear the tools, but they do need to think. A short, honest policy — what we use it for, what we never use it for, and how we'll be open about it — is a gift to a congregation.
And no tool replaces what Scripture calls the work of a shepherd: knowing the flock by name.
94% of U.S. Protestant pastors say churches need AI guidance, but 79% of their churches have none. Pastors mostly use AI for study and admin, and are far more cautious than their congregations about AI in sermons, Scripture or counselling.
Biblical Perspective
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them" (1 Peter 5:2). "Test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21, ESV).
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them."
— 1 Peter 5:2 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Lord, give pastors and church leaders wisdom with new tools. Keep them close to Your Word and close to their people. Let nothing replace prayer, presence and the voice of the Shepherd. Help Your church test everything and hold fast to what is good. Amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›The Good Shepherd still knows His sheep by name!
- ›Wisdom from above guides every tool!
- ›We will test everything and hold fast to what is good!
Take Action
- 1Ask your church leaders whether you have AI guidelines — and offer to help draft them.
- 2Decide personally what you will and won't use AI for in your faith life.
- 3Pray for your pastor's study, preaching and pastoral care this week.
"94% of pastors say churches need AI guidance. 79% of their churches have none. What Barna's new research found."
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Questions people are asking
How many churches have an AI policy?
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In Barna's survey of 442 U.S. Protestant pastors (December 2025), only 4% said their church had an official AI policy and 17% informal guidance; 79% had neither.
How do pastors use AI?
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According to Barna, 50% of pastors use AI to explore ideas, 36% for biblical and theological research, 34% for small-group questions and 34% for administration; 24% have used it to draft or revise sermons.
Sources & further reading
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them."
1 Peter 5:2 (NIV)
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