How We Use Artificial Intelligence
in Our Ministry
Our Board of Directors approved a formal AI Acceptable Use Policy in April 2026. We want you to know what that means — in plain language — and what we have committed to on your behalf.
AI is a tool in service of ministry. It does not replace the Spirit-led discernment, personal presence, and pastoral care that define our community. That conviction shapes everything below.
We use AI to help with…
- Research, background reading, and sermon preparation support
- Drafting announcements, letters, and event descriptions
- Creating lesson ideas and study questions for groups
- Administrative tasks like scheduling and meeting transcription
- Grammar checking and editing our own writing
- Translating materials for multilingual outreach
We do not use AI for…
- Writing sermons or generating core theological content
- Pastoral counselling or responding to personal crises
- Any communication involving your personal information
- Spiritual direction or care decisions
- Direct or indirect interaction with children or youth
- Anything that would replace human pastoral presence
In every case, a real person reviews and takes responsibility for all AI-assisted output before it is used.
AI can assist our ministry, but it must never substitute for the discernment and guidance of the Holy Spirit. When in doubt, we pray first.
Your name, your situation, your prayer requests, and anything shared in pastoral confidence will never be entered into an AI system.
Not anonymized. Not paraphrased. Not at all. This is non-negotiable.Our staff are trained on these requirements before they are permitted to use any AI tool in connection with their ministry roles. Compliance is reviewed annually by the Director, Technical & Digital Ministries.
Where AI has played a significant role in producing content that reaches you — a study guide, a published article, a newsletter — we are committed to disclosing that. You will see language like: “The initial draft of this material was prepared with AI assistance and has been reviewed and approved by [name/role].”
We believe honesty with our congregation matters more than appearing effortlessly capable. We would rather tell you AI helped draft something than have you wonder.
If you have questions about how we use AI, or if something ever feels inconsistent with the commitments above, please speak with us directly. We welcome the conversation.
The full AI Acceptable Use Policy and Implementation Guide (SOP AI-001) are available from the church office upon request.