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Wisdom Is a Person, Not a Pattern: AI and Christian Ministry
How should churches respond to artificial intelligence? At the EBF Council 2026 in Durrës, pastors, theologians and church leaders spent a day exploring that question together. The conference was organised by the Theology and Education Commission. The day combined presentations, discussions and hands-on exercises, sparking thoughtful conversations about how churches can engage faithfully with emerging technologies.
AI and the pulpit
Dr Enoh Šeba, Director of IBTS Amsterdam, explored the growing impact of AI on preaching, weighing its opportunities against its risks.
AI, he argued, can be a valuable tool for research, brainstorming and sermon development. It cannot, however, replace the spiritual, pastoral and deeply personal dimensions of preaching, which grow out of the preacher's lived experience and engagement with Scripture.
He challenged participants to consider whether growing reliance on AI might lead not only to "cognitive surrender" but also to weaker theological reflection and spiritual discernment. At the same time, he showed how AI can broaden research, stimulate creativity and strengthen sermon preparation when it is used as a tool rather than a substitute for human judgement.
"Wisdom is a person, not a pattern"
In his presentation, "Feel It! Human Wisdom amid Artificial Intelligence", Dr Meego Remmel of the Estonian Free Church Theological Seminary warned that AI can alienate us from ourselves, from others and from the world, and perhaps even from God. For that reason, he said, AI should offer assistance, not substitution: support, not replacement.
"Wisdom is a person, not a pattern," he reminded listeners, and "to be human is to have a story." He closed with a question for everyone present: "Where in (y)our baptistic communities of faith and education is AI assistance sliding toward substitution?"
Trying the tools for ourselves
The afternoon offered opportunities for questions, discussion and hands-on experience with practical AI tools, led by Peter Snoek from the Netherlands.
Then came a surprise. Helle Liht, former EBF Assistant General Secretary, Regional Director of Canadian Baptist Ministries and faculty member at the Estonian Free Church Theological Seminary, presented "The Pastor in Your Pocket: AI and the Future of Pastoral Care". Almost no one in the room guessed that 99% of her presentation had been produced by AI.
Helle had, of course, provided the AI with carefully crafted prompts. Her presentation demonstrated just how impressive AI-generated content can be, while her personal examples helped bring it to life.
A participant's reflection
Tarmo Lige summed up the day:
"The sessions on artificial intelligence proved engaging, practical and theologically enriching. Having followed developments in AI closely myself, I found that the sessions resonated all the more. It was the first time I had taken part in a discussion made up largely of pastors, preachers and church ministry leaders. In short: use AI for tasks that save time, and when seeking information, always verify your sources. Because artificial intelligence lacks emotion, it cannot generate what is sacred. As Dr Meego Remmel concluded in his address: 'God's holiness cannot be crafted by AI, meaning it cannot be the source of spiritual substance. That must work through us by the Holy Spirit.'"
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