UK churches offered new practical guidelines for wise use of AI 

A non-academic, hands-on resource to help churches of all denominations use AI thoughtfully, faithfully, and well has been launched by the AI Christian Partnership (AICP)

The AI Guidelines for Christian Ministry enable churches to avoid “silent adoption,” whereby AI gradually seeps into church life without proper discussion, and are designed to help churches understand how to approach AI, how to use it well, and the long-term impacts on both churches and congregations.

Although aimed at church ministers, leaders, and volunteers, they contain principles, ethics, and practical tips that all Christians can apply and use.

'AI can be a great asset for ministry, or it can leave us with a fast-food version of ministry,' said Chris Goswami, Baptist minister and founder of AICP.

'As with social media, it may only be much later, with hindsight, that we understand the impact of AI — therefore, we encourage churches with foresight to give serious consideration to this now.'

The AICP’s Guidelines were trialled by churches from four denominations and leading experts in the UK in the spring of 2026, and updated based on feedback. They summarise the benefits and costs of using AI, the ethics of AI, and list practical guidelines for good day-to-day use.

Additionally, there is a simple Church Statement template that can be adapted and used by any church to discuss and clarify their position on AI.

Ruth Bancewicz, Church Engagement Director for The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, and AICP Core Team member, said, 'Churches need practical guidance to help them think clearly about the opportunities and risks of AI. These Guidelines are a welcome contribution, as they encourage Christians to approach AI thoughtfully and with accountability.'

'We believe this approach is a little different to other AI resources and guidance which we have tried to learn from,' added Chris.

'Our guidelines steer a careful middle path between being overly bureaucratic (policy-led), overly theoretical (ethics-led), and merely superficial. We hope this makes them easily relatable and usable.'


AI training and reflection days for Baptist churches

Baptist ministers, leaders and volunteers will have the opportunity to explore these issues further through a series of Baptists Together Ministries Team training days around the country in autumn and winter 2026. These days will include sessions on: the societal impact of AI, AI and the environment, AI and personhood, as well as real-life interactive scenarios that help churches think through the benefits, costs and ethics of using AI.

The days (venues and dates to be confirmed) will be led by Chris Goswami and potential contributors, including Sally Nelson and Charmaine Mhlanga, and will help Baptist churches espond practically and thoughtfully to the rapid growth of AI.
 

AI Guidelines for Christian Ministry from the AI Christian Partnership can be downloaded without charge from: www.aichristian.org/guidelines