ChatGPT and the Church

Our Director of Marketing sent me something just for fun. She and her team were working on a :30 script for a digital campaign we will be launching this fall.

They decided, out of sheer curiosity, to see what ChatGPT would come up with. If you aren’t familiar with that, it’s an artificial intelligence chatbot that was recently released (November 2022). By January 2023 it had become the fastest growing consumer software application in history. It allows you to have human-like conversations, including assistance with such things as composing emails or essays.

Yes, students have been quick to use it for homework.

This is far more than a search engine. ChatGPT is designed to converse with you, using the information learned from training data to generate a response. This obviously leaves room for error. Some critics argue that it also leaves room for replacing or atrophying human intelligence.

But where does it leave the church? Could a pastor have it write his or her sermons? Could it be used to compose lyrics to a worship song? Could it be used to craft a discipleship class? The answer to all such questions and more is, “Yes.”

So back to our ad. What did ChatGPT come up with?

Here is the prompt our marketing team gave it: “Please write a 30-second script on why you should attend Mecklenburg Community Church.”

Here is what ChatGPT produced:

[upbeat music playing]

Narrator: Are you searching for a place where you can belong, grow and make a difference? Look no further than Mecklenburg Community Church!

[scenes transition to different activities happening at the church]

Narrator: At Mecklenburg Community Church, we believe in building a vibrant and inclusive community that welcomes everyone, regardless of their background. Our diverse congregation is filled with individuals from all walks of life, coming together to celebrate their faith.

[images of inspiring sermons, worship and community outreach activities]

Narrator: Our engaging sermons will inspire and challenge you, providing practical guidance for your everyday life. Our passionate worship will lift your spirit and draw you closer to God. But it doesn’t stop there.

[images of people volunteering and helping others]

Narrator: We are a church that believes in action. We are committed to serving our community, making a positive impact through various outreach programs and initiatives. Join us as we strive to make a difference in the lives of those around us.

[images of smiling faces and warm interactions]

Narrator: Mecklenburg Community Church is not just a place to attend on Sundays; it’s a place to connect, to find purpose, and to forge lifelong friendships. Whether you’re seeking spiritual growth, a loving community, or an opportunity to give back, we have a place for you.

[closing scene with the church logo and contact information]

Narrator: So, come as you are and experience the warmth and joy of Mecklenburg Community Church. Visit our website or give us a call today. We can’t wait to welcome you home!

[music fades out]

As our director commented, it was “creepily not bad.”

And that may prove to be the great seduction for the church, letting artificial intelligence speak for us. Because after all, while creepy, it’s “not bad.”

Or is it?

Few have argued more for the appropriate embrace of technology by the church than I have. But it must always be biblically vetted. For example, the problem with having ChatGPT write a sermon is that the Bible clearly teaches that some have been given the spiritual gift, by the Holy Spirit, to do just that—write. It’s what makes a message, by a Spirit-gifted communicator, in the context of the Church, electric. It’s not just wordsmithing—it’s an activity of the Holy Spirit in the life of the person speaking, and the life of the person receiving the message.

So while ChatGPT may be able to do many things to serve the church, we must remember that there is one thing it will never be able to do:

Be filled with the Holy Spirit.

But… we might end up using parts of that segment for the ad. 😊

James Emery White

 

Sources

“Introducing ChatGPT,” Open AI, November 30, 2022, read online.

Sabrina Ortiz, “What Is ChatGPT and Why Does It Matter? Here’s What You Need to Know,” ZDNET, May 30, 2023, read online.

About the Author

James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and a former professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president. His latest book, Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age, is now available on Amazon or from your favorite bookseller. To enjoy a free subscription to the Church & Culture blog, visit churchandculture.org where you can view past blogs in our archive, read the latest church and culture news from around the world, and listen to the Church & Culture Podcast. Follow Dr. White on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @JamesEmeryWhite.

The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of CrosswalkHeadlines.

James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and a former professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president. His latest book, Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age, is now available on Amazon or from your favorite bookseller. To enjoy a free subscription to the Church & Culture blog, visit churchandculture.org where you can view past blogs in our archive, read the latest church and culture news from around the world, and listen to the Church & Culture Podcast. Follow Dr. White on X, Facebook and Instagram at @JamesEmeryWhite.