Episode 7

Written By Leslie Smith

Episode 7: How I Use ChatGPT in Church Ministry (Without Losing My Voice or My Mind)

Here’s what you can expect from this episode:

If you’ve ever stared at a blinking cursor while trying to write a church newsletter, social caption, or email invite—you’re not alone. The blank page is real. But what if you had a brainstorming buddy who never got tired, rolled their eyes, or ran out of ideas? That’s what AI tools like ChatGPT have become in my weekly ministry life—not a replacement for my voice, but a reliable jumpstart when I’m stuck.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I actually use AI in my real-life church workflows. I’m not talking hype or robot sermons—just simple, effective ways to write faster, think clearer, and reclaim some time in your week. I’ll walk you through what terms like “tokens,” “temperature,” and “hallucinations” actually mean (don’t worry—they’re less sci-fi than they sound), plus why you don’t need to be a tech expert to get started.

You’ll hear why I made the switch from Google Gemini to ChatGPT (spoiler: it felt more human), the differences between free and paid versions, and why the $20/month investment has been worth every penny for my productivity. But more importantly, I’ll share where I draw the ethical line: how to keep your pastoral voice intact, protect privacy, and ensure that AI serves ministry—not the other way around.

And yes, there are a few weird AI moments too—like that time it suggested a youth group event called The Funky Loaf Jamboree. (You truly can’t make this stuff up.) But that’s part of the magic: even the misses help you find clarity faster.

If you’re ready to stop feeling intimidated by AI and start using it to lighten your load, this episode will help you take the first (or next) step with confidence.

Topics covered on AI in Church Digital Ministry:

  • Why ChatGPT is my go-to tool for weekly ministry tasks

  • What AI terms like tokens, temperature, and hallucinations actually mean

  • The difference between free vs. paid AI tools (and what I recommend)

  • Ethical guardrails for using AI in church communications

  • Real-life examples of how I use AI for bulletins, social captions, emails, and more

  • Prompting tips that actually work—no jargon required

  • Why your voice, theology, and discernment always come first

Resources + Links

• 📥 AI for Digital Ministry Guide — your step-by-step resource for writing great prompts and using AI wisely. Get it here

• 📸 Let’s connect on Instagram: @studiokons

Leslie Smith
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Episode 6