Cheryl Contee, a veteran strategist in the world of social impact, is calling on faith leaders and nonprofit directors to move past their fears regarding artificial intelligence. In…
Cheryl Contee, a veteran strategist in the world of social impact, is calling on faith leaders and nonprofit directors to move past their fears regarding artificial intelligence. In her recent work, she explains that while the technology may seem intimidating, it offers a unique opportunity for mission-driven organizations to expand their reach and serve their communities more effectively than ever before.
The conversation surrounding technology in the church often swings between blind excitement and deep-seated suspicion. Contee, who co-authored a guide specifically designed for nonprofits looking to use AI, suggests that the reality lies somewhere in the middle. She argues that these tools are not meant to replace the heart of a ministry but to act as a powerful assistant that can handle the heavy lifting of administrative and repetitive tasks. For a small church or a local food bank, the ability to automate certain processes means that staff and volunteers can spend less time behind a computer screen and more time in face-to-face ministry with the people who need them most.
One of the biggest hurdles Contee addresses is the "doomsday" narrative that often dominates headlines about AI. Many people in the faith community worry that machines will eventually replace human workers or, worse, strip the soul out of spiritual work. Contee pushes back against this by emphasizing a "human-in-the-loop" philosophy. This approach insists that technology should never be left to run on its own without human oversight. Whether it is generating a newsletter or analyzing donor data, a person with a conscience and a clear understanding of the organization’s values must always be the final decision-maker. This keeps the mission grounded in reality and ensures that the technology serves the people, rather than the other way around.
In practical terms, the benefits for a local congregation or a small charity are significant. AI can help these organizations draft social media posts, summarize long reports, or even help with complex grant writing that would otherwise take dozens of hours. Many smaller ministries struggle with limited budgets and a lack of specialized staff. By using these new tools, a one-person communications team can suddenly operate with the efficiency of a much larger department. This isn't about being lazy; it's about being a good steward of limited resources. When technology handles the data entry or the basic drafting of documents, the actual leaders are freed up to focus on the high-level vision and the relational aspects of their calling.
However, using these tools requires a high degree of ethical awareness, which Contee is quick to point out. There are valid concerns about bias in algorithms and the potential for misinformation. For a faith-based organization, maintaining trust is everything. If a church uses AI to help manage its database, it must be incredibly careful about privacy and the way it handles sensitive information. Contee suggests that organizations should be transparent about their use of technology and always check the output of any AI tool for accuracy and tone. The goal is to use the machine to enhance the human voice, not to hide behind a wall of automated responses that feel cold or disconnected from the community.
Looking toward the future, the gap between organizations that use technology and those that do not could widen. Contee is concerned that if nonprofits and churches wait too long to understand these tools, they may find themselves unable to compete for attention or funding in an increasingly digital world. She encourages a posture of curiosity. Instead of ignoring the changes, leaders should experiment with small, low-risk projects to see what works for their specific context. The technology is evolving rapidly, and staying informed is the best way to ensure that it is used for good. By taking the lead now, mission-driven organizations can help shape how these tools are developed and used in the wider culture.
Ultimately, the message is one of cautious optimism. The rise of artificial intelligence does not have to mean the end of personal ministry. On the contrary, if used correctly, it can be a bridge that allows a small group of dedicated people to have a massive impact. It is about finding the right balance between modern innovation and the timeless mission of serving others. By keeping a human at the helm, faith-based organizations can ensure that they remain focused on their core values while using every tool at their disposal to bring hope and help to their neighbors.
A Christian Perspective
As Christians, we are called to be wise stewards of the resources and technologies available to us. From the invention of the printing press to the rise of the internet, the Church has long used new methods to spread the Gospel and care for the poor. The emergence of artificial intelligence is no different. It is a tool that can be used to honor God or to cause harm, depending on the heart of the person using it. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we are reminded, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." This includes the way we manage our offices, write our sermons, and engage with our communities through digital means. If AI can help us reach one more person with the message of Christ or help us feed ten more families by streamlining our logistics, then we should approach it with a spirit of discernment rather than one of fear.
However, we must never forget that we are created in the image of God, the Imago Dei. While a machine can process data and mimic human speech, it can never possess a soul, nor can it experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Our faith is fundamentally relational. It is built on the foundation of love for God and love for our neighbor. An algorithm cannot sit with a grieving widow, and a chatbot cannot pray with a struggling teenager with the same empathy and spiritual authority as a believer. We must ensure that as we adopt these new tools, we do not allow them to become a substitute for the "laying on of hands" and the physical presence of the Body of Christ. Technology should serve the Church, but it can never be the Church.
Finally, we must lead the way in tech ethics by advocating for justice and truth. In a world where AI can be used to spread falsehoods or reinforce unfair biases, the Christian community must stand as a beacon of integrity. Psalm 90:17 says, "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands." As we use these new systems, our prayer should be that they would truly establish and further the work of our hands for the sake of the Kingdom. By maintaining a "human-in-the-lead" approach, we ensure that our technology remains under the lordship of Christ and is used to promote a world that reflects His mercy and truth.
Source: Religion News Service
Originally reported by Religion News Service.
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