Date

8-20-2026

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Brandon Pugh

Keywords

AI-assisted sermon preparation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Christ-centered preaching, expository preaching, homiletics, image of God, ministry training, pastoral ethics, practical theology, technology and the church

Disciplines

Practical Theology | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping nearly every sector of society, presenting both opportunities and ethical challenges for Christian ministry. Amid this technological shift, many pastors, Bible teachers, and lay leaders experience ethical uncertainty about the appropriate use of AI in expository preaching and teaching. This Doctor of Ministry action research project developed and evaluated an eight-week training designed to equip the teaching team at Cedar Grove Community Church with a Christ-centered approach to AI-assisted sermon preparation. The purpose of this project was to provide biblical, theological, and practical guidance enabling communicators to leverage AI responsibly without compromising ministerial integrity or biblical authority. The intervention combined theological instruction, ethical reflection, practical training, exercises, participant feedback, and qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Twenty-three participants completed pre- and post-assessments, with results demonstrating statistically significant growth in their confidence, theological discernment, and ethical application of AI in message preparation. This project demonstrates that structured, Christ-centered training can help local church communicators to leverage technologies with wisdom and discernment while maintaining a high view of the sacred responsibility of preaching. The research provides a practical model for churches, ministry leaders, and theological institutions seeking to develop ethical guidelines and training for AI-assisted ministry in an increasingly technological culture.

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