A majority of pastors are now using artificial intelligence to prepare their sermons, with ChatGPT and Grammarly reported as the top two AI tools, new survey data shows.
“ChatGPT is the most visible generative AI tool that can engage in human-like conversations and assist with a wide range of tasks, from answering questions to generating content,” researchers wrote in “The 2025 State of AI in the Church Survey Report” prepared by AiForChurchLeaders.com and Exponential AI NEXT.
“As the most popular AI tool among church leaders (26%), ChatGPT is being used for applications such as sermon preparation, research, and crafting church communications. Its versatility and ease of use make it a powerful asset for streamlining ministry work and sparking creative ideas.”
The data, based on responses from 594 pastors and church staff members, shows that church leaders are now more concerned about “the weighty ethical and practical considerations involved” in the use of AI as they continue their rapid embrace of the technology.
Nearly two-thirds of church leaders surveyed who prepare sermons say they use AI tools in their sermon writing process, the researchers note.
“This suggests that AI is quickly becoming a key tool for pastors in their weekly message preparation,” they wrote.
Some 61% of pastors say they use AI weekly or daily, up from 43% in 2024. In that share, 25% report using AI daily.
