‘Text with Jesus’ apps surge as churches turn to AI

A growing number of Christian churches are turning to artificial intelligence for worship as physical attendance drops and online audiences expand.

Churches are using AI in a range of ways, from drafting sermons to deploying personal chatbots that allow users to “text with Jesus” or “talk to the Bible.” Axios reported that 15,000 churches in the United States have shut down this year as a record 29 percent of Americans now identify as religiously unaffiliated. As attendance declines, megachurches have been consolidating churchgoers, leaving pastors with less capacity for private counseling. In response, some churches have begun using chatbots to answer questions about services, events, and scripture.

One example is EpiscoBot, developed by the TryTank Research Institute for the Episcopal Church. The bot answers faith-related questions using church resources.

Pastors have also acknowledged using AI to help create sermons and shorten the time it takes to prepare them.

"Every church or house of worship is a business. There are absolutely opportunities to generate AI bots to evangelize," said Reverend Chris Hope, founder of the Boston-based Hope Group, per Axios. Hope said his consulting firm helps churches and minority-owned businesses use “ethical” AI.

"AI can help with greater scheduling, coordination of preaching engagements and missions work. We haven't tapped the surface with how we could integrate these technologies to advance the Word of God,” he added.

Apps that let users “talk” with biblical figures are also gaining traction. The Text With Jesus app allows users to "embark on a spiritual journey and engage in enlightening conversations with Jesus Christ.” Catholic apps such as One Day Confession and Confession – Catholic help guide users through confession by offering AI-generated responses based on scripture.

Not all churches are embracing the technology, however. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as Mormons, released guidelines allowing limited AI use. One of its leaders has also urged speakers at its semi-annual conference not to use AI for drafts or final versions of their messages.