Below you’ll find the show notes for episode 107, The Pros and Cons of Using AI in Women’s Ministry, from the Women’s Ministry Toolbox Podcast and YouTube channel.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links.

I’m back with another post in our series on “What I Wish Leaders Knew”.

In this post, I’m going to be talking about AI – as in artificial intelligence. Whether you are for or against the use of AI, I hope this episode provides some things for you to consider.

This post is going to be a little bit longer than usual. There’s a lot for us to consider. I think you’ll find it worthwhile.

Thinking Biblically About AI

Before we dive into this topic, let’s start with God’s Word. 1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV says, “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.”

Interestingly, one of the cross-references leads us to 1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV, which says, ““All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.” Several other translations end with “I will not be mastered by anything.”

As I worked on my notes, another verse came to mind. Colossians 3:23-24 NIV, says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

As we talk about AI and consider if and how we might use it, let’s keep those verses in mind.

We have the freedom to use AI. If we choose to do so, it should be in a way that builds up and we should take great care it does not dominate or master us. How we serve the Lord Jesus matters.

When I first started thinking about how to tackle the topic of AI and women’s ministry, I was just a tiny bit tempted to ask AI to tell me what the pros and cons are for using AI for women’s ministry. Once I’ve completely written this post, I’ll ask AI for its thoughts, and I’ll include it at the end.

Instead, I decided to survey the women’s ministry leaders in the Women’s Ministry Toolbox Facebook Group. Some of the thoughts I share will come straight from their comments.

Their responses varied from “I don’t want to use it ever and help me get it off my devices” to “I love it and I use it for a lot of ministry tasks”.

No matter where you land on the spectrum, I’d like to ask us all to be thoughtful and honest in our approach to AI.

What is AI?

According to IBM.com, “Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy.”

IBM states that AI has been around for over 70 years. In the 1950s, human intelligence was exhibited by machines. In the 1980s, AI systems learned from historical data. In the 2010s, machines mimicked human brain function. In the present day, generative AI creates original content.

I’m going to focus most of our discussion on Generative AI. Generative AI, sometimes called “genAI”, it refers to deep learning models that can create complex original content such as long-form text, high-quality images, realistic video or audio and more in response to a user’s prompt or request.

Where does AI get its information?

AI is only as good as the data it’s built on. Engineers use two methods to input data into AI. This data process, called an AI data pipeline, is divided into two steps. The first is model training – learning input from data. The second step is model inferencing, in which the AI is using its training to deliver responses to prompts.

Where does that data come from?

A lot of places. Pretty much anywhere online it can scrape data from. Online databases like Wikipedia, customer data, file shares, and much more. That data can include text, numbers, images, and videos.

There’s a lot more that goes into the process. I’ll include a link in the show notes if you want to read more about it. https://www.vastdata.com/blog/how-does-ai-get-its-data

According to Vastdata, “No matter how smart an AI model is, it’s only as good as the data it sees in the moment — and it can only improve in the future if it knows how it’s performing today.”

Who uses AI?

We all do. AI is more than just ChatGPT. It’s embedded in many things we use every day.

AI is used by search engines. If you search for something on the Internet, you’re using AI. If you shop online, AI will often offer suggestions for your search as you type. Siri and Alexa use AI. Your streaming service recommendations, Google maps, Uber, text editing tools, emoji suggestions, filters on social media, and the face recognition used on your phone are all driven by AI.

How I Use AI

I use AI on a regular basis for ministry. I run each podcast episode through AI for title suggestions, descriptions, social media questions, and even use it to create clips for social media. I use it to help write publicity materials and product descriptions. I’ve asked AI to generate lists of questions and to help me rephrase a sentence for clarity.

While I’ve trained it to know lots of information about me and what I do, I still edit and rewrite its suggestions in my voice. It doesn’t always understand what I want or how to communicate it best.

I don’t use it for writing my podcast episodes, blog posts, or teachings. I never want to shortcut my time in the Word. I want the Holy Spirit, not AI engineers, to guide what I am teaching.

Benefits of using AI:

1. AI can save tremendous amounts of time. If you’re working on a publicity piece for an upcoming event, AI can help you write copy for social media, text messages, and email.
2. AI can add clarity to material you’ve already written. I have used it to help me re-work a sentence that just wasn’t coming together right.
3. AI can help you develop additional discussion questions for a teaching you’ve written.
4. AI can provide a list of resources for a topic you’re studying.
5. AI can help you get unstuck, if you use it to brainstorm.
6. AI can be used to translate information into other languages.
   Someone I follow online, showed how Instagram could take her video and her voice and edit both in another language. It wasn’t completely smooth, but if you saw a short clip, you’d never know that wasn’t her speaking in Spanish.

You can probably already see how some of the positive uses of AI can be used for bad, and even evil, purposes.

Concerns of using AI:

1. AI has been used to create deep fakes. Videos showing people doing things they have not done. Predators are taking images of children and creating porn with them. Women are being bullied and blackmailed by fake videos of sexual acts. People are using AI in nefarious ways, to create videos of people saying and doing things they have never said or done.
2. It’s not just video or photos that can be a problem, the information AI shares may not be accurate. You’ll need to check the source. Quotes may be incorrect. Bible scriptures may be misused.
3. People are turning to computers instead of people to find community and companionship. That should alarm us. God made us for community with Him and with other people. 
   My friend, Shanda Fulbright, is determined to treat AI like the computer it is. It’s a tool and should be used like a tool. She gives it commands. She does not tell AI “thank you” or talk to it like it’s a human being.
4. There are copyright concerns that need to be addressed when AI is pulling from things real people have written and does not give credit to them for their ideas. You don’t know where the information that you’re sharing is actually coming from.
5. There are valid physical concerns about the use of AI. Is it as addictive as social media? Possibly. A recent study at MIT has shown the usage of AI can cause your brain to atrophy. Their study showed “ChatGPT users had the lowest brain engagement and ‘consistently underperformed at neural, linguistic, and behavioral levels.’ Over the course of several months, ChatGPT users got lazier with each subsequent essay, often resorting to copy-and-paste by the end of the study.” It was small sample size, but it shows the need for more research on the effects of using AI.
6. AI will cause some people to lose their jobs. Whether a computer takes over their tasks, or because people opt to use AI instead of hiring someone to do a task. I want real people, not a computer program, writing the books I read, the TV shows I watch, the music I listen to, and so on.
7. AI consumes a lot more energy than regular data centers. That makes AI expensive to run. Some people are concerned about the impacts on the environment.

You may have heard some stories about AI that have given you additional reasons to be concerned. In June 2025, a man fell in love with his AI companion and proposed to “her”.  He programmed AI to flirt with him despite living with a woman and their two-year-old son.

A friend of mine was preparing to speak at a local church and asked AI to summarize her notes. Just for fun, she also asked it to create a 5-minute podcast based on her presentation. She sent me a link to listen and it was unsettling. AI generated a man and woman’s voice and they discussed the topic of her talk. If I had she had not told me, I would have had no idea it was AI.

We are quickly approaching the day when we cannot quickly determine if something is AI or not. The days of extra fingers in a photo are gone.

What are some specific things a Christian should consider related to AI?

1. There is no Holy Spirit in AI. Someone might say, “God can use anything.” While it’s possible, is that in His character, how would God receive the glory for something created by AI?
2. There’s no prayer involved. AI doesn’t pray for your women or seek direction from the Lord.
3. Things that communicate spiritual truth should be led by the Spirit and grounded in the Word of God, not a computer program. The Holy Spirit and God’s Word can, and should, provide all the guidance we need. A solid commentary can help fill in the gaps where we may not understand the cultural or historical context or the original language.
4. AI does not know the women in your church – you do, and God does.
5. AI can be a temptation for believers. We can be tempted to skip over studying the Word for ourselves. We can miss out on the work of the Holy Spirit. Part of the preparation is wrestling with the Lord and wrestling with the Word. There are better tools than AI to use for biblical research. Let’s not stunt our spiritual growth by using AI.
6. God has given gifts to the women in your church. Some of your women are eagerly waiting for you to ask them to teach, write, organize, and plan women’s ministry events and activities. Are you failing to use their gifts because AI is faster or more convenient?
7. Faster doesn’t mean better. If we are going to use AI to shave time off a task, we need to do a quick heart check. Is this the best approach for a follower of Christ?
8. The source matters. AI can provide accurate information, but is it the best place for Christians to get information?

My goal is not to berate you for using AI, I use it too. My goal is to encourage you to think about why you use, what its impact is, and if you should use it for certain ministry tasks.

Things to Consider

Some leaders see AI as no different from Pinterest and an internet search. You ask for ideas, and you get them. I would argue those are two very different things.

When you use Pinterest or an internet search to find women’s ministry ideas, the assumption is that the ideas you find were written by a Christian, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, based on their experience of doing women’s ministry in their church.

We don’t know where the ideas AI shares come from. AI has no experience leading women’s ministry in a local church. While the advice might still work, is it the best source?

We’ve faced this issue in the Women’s Ministry Toolbox Facebook group. Leaders come to the group expecting other leaders to share information based on their personal experience. We’ve had some instances where leaders have asked ChatGPT the question and posted the response in their comment. Sometimes they were forthcoming and send it was an AI response, but many times they did not. Most of the time it was obvious, but not always.

It’s not a question of if you can use AI, it’s a question of whether you should use AI for a specific task.

I am asking us to be thoughtful in our use of AI and to be women of integrity.

We’re busy people with lots of things to do. I get it! Most of the leaders listening are volunteers. No one is paying them for all the hours it takes to do all the things.

Questions to consider:

• Can AI save time in some places to create time for more spiritual tasks?            
• Why and how are you using AI?
• Is it because you failed to be a good steward of your time? Are you trying to rush and finish a project?
• Did you fail to set aside enough time to write a devotional or teaching?

ChatGPT’s Response

As promised, I asked ChatGPT for its response. I typed in “What are the pros and cons of using AI for women’s ministry?”

This is the response I received:

Pros of Using AI in Women’s Ministry

1. Efficiency and Automation: AI can handle administrative tasks such as managing registrations, reminders, and communication, freeing up leaders’ time for personal interaction and ministry activities.
2. Personalized Engagement: AI can help tailor messages, resources, and support based on individual needs and preferences, improving outreach and relationship building.
3. Data Insights: AI can analyze data from surveys and participation patterns to identify trends and identify areas needing attention or new initiatives.
4. Resource Accessibility: AI-powered chatbots or platforms can provide 24/7 support and resource access for women seeking spiritual guidance, information, or assistance.
5. Content Creation: AI can assist in creating devotional materials, study guides, or social media content efficiently.
6. Global Reach: AI enables virtual connection, allowing women from diverse locations to participate, especially in remote or underserved areas.

Cons of Using AI in Women’s Ministry

1. Lack of Personal Touch: AI cannot fully replace genuine human connection, empathy, and cultural sensitivity essential in ministry work.
2. Privacy Concerns: Handling sensitive personal data requires careful management to ensure confidentiality and comply with privacy regulations.
3. Dependence on Technology: Over-reliance on AI can lead to reduced personal interactions and oversight, potentially weakening community bonds.
4. Accessibility Barriers: Some women may lack access to or comfort with technology, making AI tools less effective for certain demographics.
5. Ethical Considerations: Issues around data bias, misinformation, or manipulation need to be carefully managed.
6. Limitations in Understanding Context: AI may miss nuanced emotional or spiritual cues that experienced ministry leaders can perceive.

Can you see even the lack of the Bible, prayer, and Holy Spirit in its response?

Today’s Toolbox Tasks:

1. Reflect on your personal use of AI. Are there some changes you want to make?
2. Find out if your church has an AI policy in place.
3. Discuss with your team what are acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in your women’s ministry program.

Thanks for reading to the end. There were many things to consider when it comes to using AI for women’s ministry.

I hope and pray you’ve found this discussion to be helpful!

You may also want to check out:
Tech Tools for Women’s Ministry
The Ultimate Guide to Social Media for Women’s Ministry
Should Your Women’s Ministry Use Video-Driven Bible Studies? Pros, Cons, and Alternatives
How Bible Study Authors Shape Your Women’s Ministry
What Women’s Ministry Leaders Need to Know About Copyrights and Movie Licenses
A Surprising Shift: Gen Z, Faith, and the Future of Women’s Ministry