Barna/Gloo study: Pastors distrust AI for interpreting contested Scripture but continue using tech

# What the study measured

# Headline findings Pastors are more worried about AI interpreting Scripture than the broader public. The study reports:

• 94% of pastors expressed concern about AI's scriptural interpretations.
• Concern among other groups was lower: 83% of practicing Christians, 77% of non-practicing Christians, and 74% of U.S. adults.
• Only 5% of pastors would reject AI entirely as a tool to interpret difficult passages.
• Only 10% want AI to decide which interpretation is correct.
• 60% of pastors prefer AI explain all major interpretations and highlight differences without choosing a single correct view.

# How pastors describe AI's role Barna Vice President of Research Daniel Copeland framed pastors' position around training and discernment. He noted pastors—especially those with seminary or biblical training—are accustomed to weighing competing sources, commentaries, and interpretations. Copeland warned of risks if many pastors rely on the same AI tools: ministries could converge on similar quick answers and reduce diversity of discernment and depth of care.

Gloo's response, explained by Brad Hill, chief partner success officer, centers on safeguards for AI in faith contexts. Hill urged pastors to choose tools "aligned to God's word" and to teach congregational discernment so people are not led to a single AI-determined interpretation.

Rather than abandoning AI, most pastors want it to be descriptive, not prescriptive. The leading preference is for AI to lay out multiple established interpretations and clarify differences. That approach preserves human judgment and pastoral care while still using technology to surface resources and viewpoints.

# Specific risks identified in the study Respondents and quoted researchers raised concrete concerns:

• Overreliance: If thousands of pastors lean on the same AI tools for preaching and counseling, ministries may converge on similar answers.
• Loss of depth: Repeated use of quick AI outputs could thin the diversity of theological reasoning and pastoral practices.

# Study scope and limits (as described)

# Practical implications for pastors and churches

# Bottom line Pastors are highly concerned about AI interpreting Scripture but are not abandoning technology. They largely prefer AI that maps competing interpretations and preserves space for human discernment and pastoral care.