AI has been a huge topic recently, particularly since ChatGPT went live in late 2022. Ever since we (the general public) found that we could use a language-producing AI model like ChatGPT, the world has changed. From when I graduated from Calvin with my bachelor's degree in 2022 until now, for example, academic work has drastically altered. I didn't have a computer program to help me write reflections and sermons for my ministry classes in 2022; today, as I'm preparing for finishing my master's degree thesis, it's an entirely different ballgame.
Generative AI (programs like ChatGPT) have changed how the world works. School is different. Work is different. AI models help guide your Google searches, the spellcheck on your word processor, and quite possibly help write the papers and problem sets that your kids and grandkids use on a daily basis. I've used it to help me lesson plan, make problem sets for the classes I'm TAing for, as well as to do simple work tasks like translate or cut out fluff out of my writing to reach a particular word count. Yet as much as I know it's helped me, I have a lot of questions about how AI fits into a Reformed theological framework. And despite how AI has radically changed how I work and study as a young adult and graduate student, I haven't witnessed nearly as substantial discussion about the technology in church or ministry. In a tradition so steeped in the Word and its importance, what's the implication of a machine that can produce high-quality written work in a fraction of the time as a human?
So I thought I'd put out feelers: What do folks on the Network think about AI that is trained to produce human language? Have you used AI at all in ministry? Has it helped, harmed, or done a little bit of both? I'm curious to see everyone's responses! And if you have read any good books, seen any good podcasts or videos, or found other helpful resources to explore this topic, feel free to share that, too.
(And, just for the record, this whole post was written without any generative AI help).
Comments
Hey Sarah, good topic.
I use Logos Bible Software in sermon preparation every week. Logos provides a variety of resources: many versions of the Bible including Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew with hover-over translations, parsing, and word studies. There are commentaries, collections of sermon illustrations, and books galore! There are tools for diagraming a Bible passage and studying maps and timelines. I can create sermon slides, sermon handouts, and word-searches from a Bible passage. Generally, I do my passage study and research in Logos but write my manuscript in Word. I play around with Logos' sermon document word processor. It's not as robust at word-processing as Word but I use it to back up and organize my preached sermons.
This summer, Logos introduced a subscription service that includes AI to summarize articles and find information. AI is also available in their word processor. While writing a sermon manuscript, I can access a "Sermon Assistant" with four capabilities:
I've experimented with all of these, primarily on Tuesdays as I save the sermon I just preached that Sunday.
But I was stuck once as I was thinking about the application of the sermon: the "so what" of all the information I had pulled together so far. So I used AI to formulate some sample applications.
In practice it wasn't much different than bouncing ideas off a friend or colleague. I could have cut and pasted any of the AI's suggestions. I've done something similar after talking to an elder about a specific sermon as I worked on it, importing their input into my sermon almost verbatim. Like a friend or colleague would, the AI made me think about applications I didn't have in mind before. I pondered the AI suggestions and was able to pull something together that was helpful in my sermon preparation.
Like any tool, AI can be used well or poorly. I would not want to become dependent on AI for coming up with all the illustrations or applications in my sermon preparation. Not only could relying on the AI lead to spiritual and professional laziness, relying on AI would warp my "voice" as a preacher. But, at initial glance, it's not too different than relying on books of sermon illustrations that are also available. As a resource, I found AI helpful once in the 3 months I've had access to it. It might be helpful again.
Thanks for this thorough response! It's interesting to see how you've included AI in your sermon prep, especially how it's served the role of "colleague" in some of your preparation. It makes sense that it isn't perfect, but it seems like many of the suggestions have been helpful. And I suppose AI is in many ways a colleague, since AI is trained on data from our colleagues, both historical and current.
It'll be interested to see how AI can be used to help build other bridges, such as by expediting translation.
I think Sarah has a timely question on the use of AI in sermon preparation. What my greatest fear is, will AI replace the Holy Spirit’s nudging in preparing the “‘Word of God”? Will pastors consult AI before preparing and presenting his/her reflection on scripture, or, any other subject? If us “lay people” are to accept prepared sermons as God Himself instructing us, we need to be confident that those instructions are generated by our pastor struggling with scripture and the Holy Spirit in its interpretation, not with AI.
Sarah, great question. I've been playing with using AI to assist with administrative tasks, editing, creating social media posts, and generating responsive readings. The challenge is to not get focused on how to use it in sermon prep and its impact on sermons, though I have played with using it to assist me there.
When thinking about Generative AI it is important to remember that there are several categories and it is important that we double/triple check anything generated using AI.
For those interested in learning more about AI, writing prompts, and understanding its potential impact. IBM offers a free course through its skill builder program, skillsbuild.org.
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