Increased reliance upon artificial intelligence has resulted in some churches offering AI generated church services which include digital avatars presenting an AI created message. While this is probably a gimmick and a fad that will not continue long, the fact that any church is willing to use artificial intelligence in this fashion reveals a deficient understanding of the nature of the church gathering. This deficiency is not surprising given the large number of Christians who consider watching church online to be a sufficient substitute for church attendance. Mega and multi-site churches have long been streaming the preferred preacher to various locations so each church can watch the sermon preached from the large screen display. Looking back, the jump from an online gathering and a digital pastor to an experience crafted by algorithms seems inevitable.

Church is not about an experience. Church is not primarily about being exposed to a certain body of content. Church is a gathering of Christians. (First Corinthians 11:18) If Christians do not come together, then there is no church. A church is a gathering of believers using their spiritual gifts together to promote Christian growth in all the believers in that body. (Ephesians 4:11-15) This kind of Holy Spirit dependent and Holy Spirit filled ministry cannot be achieved by any artificial or mechanical means. The church gathering is a time for Christians to sing together in a manner that teaches and admonishes one another. (Colossians 3:16) This requires people be present and engaged with each other. The gathering is a time to hear the reading, explanation and application of the Word of God (1 Timothy 4:13) from a Holy Spirit gifted and Holy Spirit filled preacher. (2 Timothy 1:6)

No computer is filled with the Holy Spirit. No computer program can have or will ever have the spiritual gifts of teaching, exhortation or encouragement. A well written computer program may be able to craft an impressive lesson which employs language and grammar far beyond the ability of the average preacher. However, spiritual change is never accomplished by the skill of an author or speaker. Spiritual change only occurs when the The Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to the life of the person. The God appointed means for teaching the Word is a Spirit filled teacher. Can the Holy Spirit use an artificially generated sermon in someone’s life? Sure. He used a donkey to open the eyes of a false prophet, (Numbers 22:24-31) and He used a false prophet to proclaim great blessings on Israel. (Numbers 24)

God can use any means He chooses to accomplish His will, but Christians are obligated to purse the ordinary means God has given to the church for its growth. (First Corinthians 1:21) No one should not look to artificially generated fellowship, singing or preaching as the means for their Christian growth. God designed Christians to gather in person with other human beings, to hear a God appointed man preach the Word of God. Church is not entertainment. Church is not mere content. Church is not an experience. The church is a gathering of Christians for Christian fellowship. That cannot be duplicated by algorithms and avatars.