The AI Paradox: Practicing Christians Lead the Charge While Pastors Lag Behind

A surprising new study from Barna has revealed a striking digital divide within the Church: practicing Christians in the U.S. are embracing artificial intelligence more rapidly than the general population—and significantly faster than their own pastors. The research found that 44% of practicing Christians use AI “very often” or “often” in their personal lives, compared to just 31% of U.S. adults overall. In the workplace, the gap is even more pronounced: 39% of practicing Christians report using AI frequently, while only 26% of the general population and 24% of pastors say the same. Barna’s vice president of research, Daniel Copeland, cautioned that church leaders are at risk of underestimating how deeply AI has already become woven into the fabric of their congregants’ lives. “Pastors understand that AI is out there, but they’re not immersed in it the way their engaged congregants may be,” he explained. “For most practicing Christians, AI isn’t for occasional use. It’s already woven into how they work, learn, and make decisions.”

A Call for Guidance

Despite their frequent use of AI, Christians are not turning to it for spiritual guidance in large numbers—yet. While nearly half of practicing Christians would trust AI with something related to their spiritual growth, only a third have actually used it for Bible-related questions or spiritual guidance in the past month. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for church leaders. Alarmingly, one in three practicing Christians said they would like guidance from their pastor on navigating AI, but just 12% of pastors feel prepared to provide it. Copeland suggests that pastors don’t need to become experts in artificial intelligence; instead, they should “double down on what they already do well: teaching people how to engage scripture, building real relationships, making space for analog discipleship.” The research, part of Barna’s Faith & AI project in partnership with Gloo, underscores a critical moment for the Church: if pastors don’t address the AI revolution, their congregations will navigate it alone.

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