Artificial intelligence is making its way into churches in Mexico, from sermon preparation to worship music, and evangelical pastors are divided over how far it should go.
Tools that can draft texts, organize information, produce images, generate songs and answer questions in seconds are already often used to support ministry and church communications. But growing reliance on these systems is causing unease in the churches.
Critics warn that AI can invent answers and cite references that do not exist, and can create artificial images of religious figures. Others see it as a way to spread God's message more quickly in a society immersed in technology.
For those opposed, the main risk comes when a tool built to teach or inform begins to take the place of prayer, the Scriptures, Christian community and a personal relationship with God.
AI-assisted sermons
Today, a pastor can enter a Bible passage into an AI platform and, within seconds, receive an outline, possible themes, questions to explore, references, illustrations and even a full sermon draft.
Some pastors fear that heavy use of AI will produce sermons that are technically correct but disconnected from the personal experience of the pastor and the congregation.
Pastors urge caution
Mexican pastor Armando Alducin, an internationally known Christian speaker, said Christians must be cautious when using AI.
"We have reached the highest pinnacle of knowledge with AI; we see how human beings have grown proud with this technology. Without a doubt we are in the last times," Alducin said.
Ismael Rueda, director of the Mexican Christian network Identidad Celestial, said the danger is not in using technology but in letting it take the place of the Holy Spirit, prayer, the study of the Scriptures and pastoral work.
"An AI can organize information, draft an outline or help us find biblical connections, but it cannot produce repentance, communion with God, holiness or spiritual anointing. The Church was not called to impress with quick answers, but to faithfully proclaim the truth of God," Rueda said.
AI-generated worship music
AI is now also used to compose Christian songs, generate vocals, create musical arrangements and even build complete artist identities.
The trend has sparked heated debate in the Christian music industry. Some see AI as one more tool for songwriters. Others question whether a song generated by a machine can truly be called worship music.
Critics of music made entirely by AI argue there is a difference between a tool that helps a musician and a technology that replaces him.
Jorge Lozano, a Mexican pastor, well-known singer and pioneer of Christian music in Latin America, told Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition, that he believes using AI in praise does not come from God.
"We cannot do things our own way. God gave us instructions on how to praise him: with clapping, dance, musical instruments, with our voice and heart. Man must be involved in that," Lozano said.
He said machines should have no part in praise and warned churches not to offer "strange fire" on their worship altars, saying it could have serious spiritual consequences.
Esteban Ávila, a singer with a master's degree in music theology, said AI in churches is a complex subject and should serve only as an "auxiliary" in music ministry.
"The AI tool can be used in a music production, but worship must be spiritual. The danger is that it replaces that part. Today we hear a lot of Christian music, but we must discern where those songs are taking us," Ávila said.
A discussion that is only beginning
Churches will have to learn to live with a technology that is unlikely to disappear.
The ministers interviewed agree that the challenge for the church will be to use new technologies without letting them replace what no machine can produce: human discernment, spiritual experience, community and a living relationship between people and God.
Original reporting by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
