Most U.S. Pastors Worry AI Could Misread Scripture, Barna Study Finds

A new study from Barna Group shows that most U.S. pastors are worried about artificial intelligence misreading or misapplying Scripture. The research, released in early September 2026, found that a majority of practicing Christians share that concern.

At the same time, the data reveals a gap between worry and behavior. Nearly half of practicing Christians said they would trust AI to assist with their spiritual growth. Barna also found that Christians use AI for work and personal tasks at higher rates than the general population.

Researchers from the U.K., Sweden, and Denmark are separately studying how repeated interaction with human-like AI might change how people see themselves and relate to others. That research is ongoing.

Church leaders have responded differently to the findings. Some pastors say they are already setting guidelines for how AI tools can be used in sermon preparation and Bible study. Others say they plan to address the topic from the pulpit.

The Barna study did not find a consensus on whether AI is a net positive or negative for faith communities. Pastors in larger congregations were more likely to have already engaged with the issue than those in smaller churches.

The findings come as AI tools become more common in everyday life. Bible apps, devotional platforms, and church management software have all begun integrating AI features. Barna researchers say the church needs clear thinking on the topic before those tools become standard.