At a recent lecture on "Guarding Against Heresies" at the Thanksgiving Church in Shanghai, a keynote speaker presented four digital figures with striking and distinctive appearances created by the heretical group "Shincheonji." These AI-generated figures take turns delivering two-hour explanations and broadcasts daily.
During the lecture, Dr. Luo highlighted that when attracting more followers, heretical organizations employ not merely tactics but also AI technology, which includes producing hymns, images, and digital figures to spread their messages through online media. In contrast, registered churches in China maintain a minimal digital presence.
The advent of the AI era is inevitable, raising the question: Is the church prepared? Pastor Russell Moore, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, addressed this concern in an article titled "A New Era of AI Is Here, and the Church Is Not Ready" published by Christianity Today. Moore noted that nearly every forward-thinking ministry is grappling with how to navigate an AI-driven world. He questioned, what if Martin Luther had been unprepared for the Gutenberg era, or if Billy Graham had failed to adapt to the television age?
Currently, pastors in China exhibit three main attitudes toward AI: indifference, active utilization, and a wait-and-see approach, which are similar to the perspectives of American pastors. "The 2024 National State of AI in the Church Survey" of Church Tech Today gathered responses from hundreds of church leaders across various roles and church sizes to explore how different types of churches and leaders perceive and apply AI to their work.
The survey revealed that 43% of respondents use AI tools weekly or daily, while another 23% use them occasionally. However, 25% have yet to incorporate AI into their ministry. The most common applications include research and informational tasks (27%), followed by content creation (25%). Graphic design and image generation (15%) are also widely used. Additionally, two-thirds of church leaders believe AI adds value to ministry, whereas only 7% view it as unhelpful.
In specific applications, AI is primarily used for communications (17%), such as drafting newsletters, announcements, and social media posts. Data analysis (16%) follows, including tracking attendance and giving trends. Administrative tasks (14%), like scheduling and automating repetitive work, rank third, while event and project planning (13%) is another key area. Leaders see AI as a valuable tool for handling time-consuming tasks, allowing them to focus more on connecting with their congregations and fostering spiritual growth.
The survey emphasized that AI can play a meaningful role in ministry, from streamlining administrative tasks to enhancing sermon preparation. However, its success depends on thoughtful adoption. Church leaders must address ethical concerns, provide training for staff and volunteers, and ensure AI complements rather than replaces human connection.
As Dr. Luo highlighted in the lecture at Shanghai Thanksgiving Church, heretical organizations have already begun leveraging AI to create videos, images, and hymns to influence the public. This should be a significant concern for mainstream churches. In the AI era, if the church embraces artificial intelligence with wisdom and discernment, it can strengthen its ministry and effectively provide true spiritual nourishment in a rapidly evolving world.
- Edited and translated by Poppy Chan
