Nov 13, 2025 - Culture

KC churches join debate over faith and AI

Photo illustration of Jesus holding a cell phone in the painting "Sermon on the Mount" by Carl Bloch. — Photo illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Churches, including some in KC, are turning to artificial intelligence to reach worshippers and rethink faith in the digital age.

Why it matters: AI is helping some churches stay relevant in the face of shrinking staff, empty pews and growing online audiences. But the practice raises new questions about who, or what, is guiding the flock.

New AI-powered apps allow you to "text with Jesus" or "talk to the Bible," giving the impression you are communicating with a deity or angel.

Zoom in: Two local congregations, Christ Community Church and Fountain City Church, are engaging AI through educational events instead of implementation.

Christ Community hosted "Navigating AI Through the Lens of Faith," where theologian and technologist John Dyer spoke about the ethical and cultural impacts of AI alongside Kansas City tech leaders.
Fountain City's recent event "Discipleship in the Age of AI" invited residents to discuss what it means to follow Jesus in a world where technology is "here to stay."

Zoom out: In recent months, churches have been deploying chatbots to answer frequently asked questions such as service times and event details, and even to share scripture.

EpiscoBot, a chatbot developed by the TryTank Research Institute for the Episcopal Church, responds to spiritual or faith-related queries, drawing on church resources.

State of play: The U.S. could see an unprecedented 15,000 churches shut their doors this year as a record number of Americans (29%) now are identifying as religiously unaffiliated.

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KC churches join debate over faith and AI

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