An increasing over-reliance on AI to write sermons and interpret scripture, could risk religious communities being unable to discern right from wrong, a Sydney pastor has warned

The rapid development of artificial intelligence has infiltrated all areas of society, but while being embraced has also generated concerns over its potential misuse for convenience’s sake.

Tim Woo, 32, youth pastor at Sydney Great Harvest Church in Epping, said AI use was becoming more prevalent but had few guard rails around it.

“People know AI can only provide a programmed experience, yet they will never give up on convenience,” he told Central News, adding there was too much trust in the AI.

“There will be a generation without discernment. When that time comes the right and wrong won’t come from truth but from what the AI decides.”

Woo, who has been a presbyterian pastor for eight years, said there were legitimate uses for AI, but facilities like the ability to imitate styles of famous clergy could rob church professionals of their unique identity.

“Finding where each biblical linguistic comes from and historical explanation is much quicker to find on ChatGPT than Google,” he said.

“It took my dad months to structure his [masters] thesis, Chat GPT did it in seconds.”

ChatGPT is a great tool, but I will never let it write my manuscript for sermon.

A 2024 study by evangelical Christian research organisation Barna found 63 per cent of Christians surveyed thought sermons should be written by the clergy and not AI, while 84 per cent favoured spiritual counselling done by human counsellors, rather than AI-generated advice. When it came to the use of AI for administrative tasks in churches, those surveyed were more in favour, with 35 per cent in favour, and 40 per cent believing AI could help reach people online.

American theologian and pastor John Piper, speaking at The Gospel Coalition’s national conference earlier this month in Indianapolis, said ChatGPT was good at composing prayers quickly, but that the AI defeated the purpose of prayer to feel and appreciate grace.

“My sermons come from a relationship with God which can only be experienced personally,” he said. “Computer’s do words better than me [but] they don’t feel anything.”

Woo said, since he felt there was no way to slow down the development of AI he advises his Sunday congregation to reduce dependency on it, and always cross-check for facts.

He added the Australian government needs to establish a framework for AI use that also protects the rights of individuals.

“AI can never experience on its own, it can only interpret situations through various data collected,” he said. “ChatGPT is a great tool, but I will never let it write my manuscript for sermon.

“It cannot take in the immediate reaction and situation of the audience and cannot link application within the sermon into consideration.”

Main image by David Gu.