Are 64% of Pastors Losing the Ability to Preach?

64% of pastors are now using AI for 64% of pastors are now using AI for sermon prep. So, I'm not here to tell sermon prep. So, I'm not here to tell sermon prep. So, I'm not here to tell you that's wrong. I use AI, too, and you you that's wrong. I use AI, too, and you you that's wrong. I use AI, too, and you probably do. It's not going to go away, probably do. It's not going to go away, probably do. It's not going to go away, but there are smart ways to use it and but there are smart ways to use it and but there are smart ways to use it and not very smart ways to use it. But, I not very smart ways to use it. But, I not very smart ways to use it. But, I want to ask a question nobody's asking. want to ask a question nobody's asking. want to ask a question nobody's asking. Are you losing the ability to preach? >> So, here's my confession. In 2022, a few >> So, here's my confession. In 2022, a few months before ChatGPT dropped, this is months before ChatGPT dropped, this is months before ChatGPT dropped, this is like pre-modern AI era, I realized I had like pre-modern AI era, I realized I had like pre-modern AI era, I realized I had a problem. a problem. a problem. I had lost the ability to read books. I I had lost the ability to read books. I I had lost the ability to read books. I hadn't lost interest, I just kind of hadn't lost interest, I just kind of hadn't lost interest, I just kind of lost focus. I just couldn't focus on lost focus. I just couldn't focus on lost focus. I just couldn't focus on multiple pages and chapters for minutes, multiple pages and chapters for minutes, multiple pages and chapters for minutes, hours at a time. So, I'd pick up a book, hours at a time. So, I'd pick up a book, hours at a time. So, I'd pick up a book, get three pages in, reach for my phone. get three pages in, reach for my phone. get three pages in, reach for my phone. Every time my focus just wasn't there, Every time my focus just wasn't there, Every time my focus just wasn't there, which is honestly kind of embarrassing which is honestly kind of embarrassing which is honestly kind of embarrassing because I spent 12 years in university, because I spent 12 years in university, because I spent 12 years in university, 12 years. Law school, history and 12 years. Law school, history and 12 years. Law school, history and political science, and then seminary.

political science, and then seminary. political science, and then seminary. Law school alone was brain boot camp. I Law school alone was brain boot camp. I Law school alone was brain boot camp. I I remember I once had 800 pages of I remember I once had 800 pages of I remember I once had 800 pages of assigned reading for a single course in assigned reading for a single course in assigned reading for a single course in first year law. My notes for the final first year law. My notes for the final first year law. My notes for the final exam for that class were 72 My brain used to be able to do serious My brain used to be able to do serious work. work. work. 15 years of social media scrolling broke 15 years of social media scrolling broke 15 years of social media scrolling broke it. I just couldn't focus anymore. So, I it. I just couldn't focus anymore. So, I it. I just couldn't focus anymore. So, I had to deliberately retrain myself to had to deliberately retrain myself to had to deliberately retrain myself to read, like a physical rehab after an read, like a physical rehab after an read, like a physical rehab after an injury. So, I the summer of 2022, I injury. So, I the summer of 2022, I injury. So, I the summer of 2022, I started with a book about trees. It was started with a book about trees. It was started with a book about trees. It was really interesting, and then I worked up really interesting, and then I worked up really interesting, and then I worked up to Tom Holland's Dominion, 640 pages of to Tom Holland's Dominion, 640 pages of to Tom Holland's Dominion, 640 pages of really serious history. So, really serious history. So, really serious history. So, I got there and my brain was I got there and my brain was I got there and my brain was reactivated, but here's the thing. I had reactivated, but here's the thing. I had reactivated, but here's the thing. I had 12 years of academic training to fall 12 years of academic training to fall 12 years of academic training to fall back on. Something to return to. back on. Something to return to. back on. Something to return to. What if you don't? So, take a look at What if you don't? So, take a look at What if you don't? So, take a look at what's happening on university campuses what's happening on university campuses what's happening on university campuses right now that nobody in the church is right now that nobody in the church is right now that nobody in the church is talking about yet and see it as a talking about yet and see it as a talking about yet and see it as a cautionary tale. Cornell, cautionary tale. Cornell, cautionary tale. Cornell, Penn, NYU, schools across North America Penn, NYU, schools across North America Penn, NYU, schools across North America are bringing back oral exams. Why?

are bringing back oral exams. Why? are bringing back oral exams. Why? Not a nostalgia experiment, but because Not a nostalgia experiment, but because Not a nostalgia experiment, but because professors have no other options. So, professors have no other options. So, professors have no other options. So, here's what's happening right now over here's what's happening right now over here's what's happening right now over the last couple of years. The students the last couple of years. The students the last couple of years. The students are turning in are turning in are turning in perfect papers, like A+. perfect papers, like A+. perfect papers, like A+. And then they can't explain a single And then they can't explain a single And then they can't explain a single word of them when questioned word of them when questioned word of them when questioned face-to-face. Perfect homework. face-to-face. Perfect homework. face-to-face. Perfect homework. But then ask them a question, all you But then ask them a question, all you But then ask them a question, all you get is blank stares. One professor at get is blank stares. One professor at get is blank stares. One professor at Penn said it plainly, Penn said it plainly, Penn said it plainly, "We're not doing this to prevent "We're not doing this to prevent "We're not doing this to prevent cheating. We're doing this because cheating. We're doing this because cheating. We're doing this because students are actively losing cognitive students are actively losing cognitive students are actively losing cognitive capacity. They're losing the ability to capacity. They're losing the ability to capacity. They're losing the ability to think." A professor at NYU Stern went think." A professor at NYU Stern went think." A professor at NYU Stern went further and he said he no longer trusts further and he said he no longer trusts further and he said he no longer trusts that a written assignment represents that a written assignment represents that a written assignment represents actual thinking from any student. So, actual thinking from any student. So, actual thinking from any student. So, here's what's happening. A lot of here's what's happening. A lot of here's what's happening. A lot of students are turning in papers, but students are turning in papers, but students are turning in papers, but they're skipping their education. they're skipping their education. they're skipping their education. So, why are we not having this exact So, why are we not having this exact So, why are we not having this exact conversation about pastors? Because the conversation about pastors? Because the conversation about pastors? Because the 64% number doesn't tell you how 64% number doesn't tell you how 64% number doesn't tell you how artificial intelligence is being used artificial intelligence is being used artificial intelligence is being used and that's the part that matters. For and that's the part that matters. For and that's the part that matters. For some pastors, AI means sharpen a some pastors, AI means sharpen a some pastors, AI means sharpen a sentence after you've wrestled with the sentence after you've wrestled with the sentence after you've wrestled with the text yourself. Okay? That's legitimate.

text yourself. Okay? That's legitimate. text yourself. Okay? That's legitimate. That's smart. That's a tool. I've That's smart. That's a tool. I've That's smart. That's a tool. I've actually got an AI tool inside my Art of actually got an AI tool inside my Art of actually got an AI tool inside my Art of Leadership Academy designed to help you Leadership Academy designed to help you Leadership Academy designed to help you turn a good thought into a memorable turn a good thought into a memorable turn a good thought into a memorable phrase, so I'm not against it. phrase, so I'm not against it. phrase, so I'm not against it. But for others, sermon prep means open But for others, sermon prep means open But for others, sermon prep means open ChatGPT or Claude Wednesday afternoon, ChatGPT or Claude Wednesday afternoon, ChatGPT or Claude Wednesday afternoon, type in the passage, get the outline, type in the passage, get the outline, type in the passage, get the outline, get the illustrations, get the get the illustrations, get the get the illustrations, get the application points, do a light edit, application points, do a light edit, application points, do a light edit, preach it on Sunday. preach it on Sunday. preach it on Sunday. And that, I think, is a serious problem. And that, I think, is a serious problem. And that, I think, is a serious problem. I'd say it abdicates your responsibility I'd say it abdicates your responsibility I'd say it abdicates your responsibility and over time it's going to kill your and over time it's going to kill your and over time it's going to kill your spiritual development and your ability spiritual development and your ability spiritual development and your ability to think and it's going to kill your to think and it's going to kill your to think and it's going to kill your discipleship. So, what is preaching? Is discipleship. So, what is preaching? Is discipleship. So, what is preaching? Is it writing a sermon from scratch? Yeah, it writing a sermon from scratch? Yeah, it writing a sermon from scratch? Yeah, I I think so. I think it's wrestling I I think so. I think it's wrestling I I think so. I think it's wrestling with the text. I mean, you open up your with the text. I mean, you open up your with the text. I mean, you open up your Bible and you're like, Bible and you're like, Bible and you're like, "What does this mean?" It's hard. It's "What does this mean?" It's hard. It's "What does this mean?" It's hard. It's hard, right? You're you're you're hard, right? You're you're you're hard, right? You're you're you're staring at the ceiling. You're praying. staring at the ceiling. You're praying. staring at the ceiling. You're praying. You're wrestling with God. You're wrestling with God. You're wrestling with God. It's thinking about your congregation. It's thinking about your congregation. It's thinking about your congregation. It's thinking about your community and It's thinking about your community and It's thinking about your community and coming to the text on their behalf. It's coming to the text on their behalf. It's coming to the text on their behalf. It's hard. Uh some weeks it's not, but many hard. Uh some weeks it's not, but many hard. Uh some weeks it's not, but many weeks it's hard. It's really hard. It weeks it's hard. It's really hard. It weeks it's hard. It's really hard. It means sitting with the text means sitting with the text means sitting with the text until it starts speaking something to until it starts speaking something to until it starts speaking something to you. It's asking God what he's trying to you. It's asking God what he's trying to you. It's asking God what he's trying to do in your life through this passage do in your life through this passage do in your life through this passage before you try to present it about what before you try to present it about what before you try to present it about what it's going to do in someone else's life.

it's going to do in someone else's life. it's going to do in someone else's life. See, that's preaching. See, that's preaching. See, that's preaching. And that is a role that really can't be And that is a role that really can't be And that is a role that really can't be delegated. It can't be abdicated and delegated. It can't be abdicated and delegated. It can't be abdicated and it's hard because it's supposed to be it's hard because it's supposed to be it's hard because it's supposed to be hard. So, I want to ask those of you who hard. So, I want to ask those of you who hard. So, I want to ask those of you who are using AI the same question those are using AI the same question those are using AI the same question those professors are now asking their professors are now asking their professors are now asking their students. If I sat down with you on students. If I sat down with you on students. If I sat down with you on Monday morning, no notes, no phone, no Monday morning, no notes, no phone, no Monday morning, no notes, no phone, no AI, and asked you to walk me through the AI, and asked you to walk me through the AI, and asked you to walk me through the sermon you preached yesterday, sermon you preached yesterday, sermon you preached yesterday, what would happen? Could you explain what would happen? Could you explain what would happen? Could you explain what you preached 24 hours before? Could what you preached 24 hours before? Could what you preached 24 hours before? Could you defend it? Could you tell me where you defend it? Could you tell me where you defend it? Could you tell me where you got stuck and how you got through you got stuck and how you got through you got stuck and how you got through it? Could you tell me what it cost you it? Could you tell me what it cost you it? Could you tell me what it cost you personally? Could you talk to me about personally? Could you talk to me about personally? Could you talk to me about the struggle of of bringing the word of the struggle of of bringing the word of the struggle of of bringing the word of God to your congregation? God to your congregation? God to your congregation? Or would I just get a blank stare Or would I just get a blank stare Or would I just get a blank stare because you don't remember it? Because because you don't remember it? Because because you don't remember it? Because you didn't write it? Because if you you didn't write it? Because if you you didn't write it? Because if you can't remember it, I don't think they're can't remember it, I don't think they're can't remember it, I don't think they're going to remember it, either. going to remember it, either. going to remember it, either. When I was in seminary, I got to drive When I was in seminary, I got to drive When I was in seminary, I got to drive Dr. Tom Long, uh who was visiting from Dr. Tom Long, uh who was visiting from Dr. Tom Long, uh who was visiting from Princeton Theological Seminary, back to Princeton Theological Seminary, back to Princeton Theological Seminary, back to the airport in Toronto after he preached the airport in Toronto after he preached the airport in Toronto after he preached a 45-minute a 45-minute a 45-minute sermon without once looking at a note. I sermon without once looking at a note. I sermon without once looking at a note. I was mesmerized. I was in seminary. I'm was mesmerized. I was in seminary. I'm was mesmerized. I was in seminary. I'm like, how did he do it? I didn't grow up like, how did he do it? I didn't grow up like, how did he do it? I didn't grow up with preaching like that. And [snorts] with preaching like that. And [snorts] with preaching like that. And [snorts] on the way back to the airport, I asked on the way back to the airport, I asked on the way back to the airport, I asked him, like, how did you memorize your him, like, how did you memorize your him, like, how did you memorize your talk? And he said, he just looked at me talk? And he said, he just looked at me talk? And he said, he just looked at me and he said, and he said, and he said, I didn't memorize it. I understood it.

I didn't memorize it. I understood it. I didn't memorize it. I understood it. And that's the whole thing right there. And that's the whole thing right there. And that's the whole thing right there. If you understand your sermon, if it's If you understand your sermon, if it's If you understand your sermon, if it's been forged inside you through actual been forged inside you through actual been forged inside you through actual work, work, work, you probably don't really need notes. you probably don't really need notes. you probably don't really need notes. You can just talk about it. You can just talk about it. You can just talk about it. If If you didn't build it, maybe you can If If you didn't build it, maybe you can If If you didn't build it, maybe you can perform it, but you can't own it. perform it, but you can't own it. perform it, but you can't own it. And that's a difference your And that's a difference your And that's a difference your congregation feels, maybe without being congregation feels, maybe without being congregation feels, maybe without being even able to name it. Tim Keller, for even able to name it. Tim Keller, for even able to name it. Tim Keller, for example, in his book Preaching, draws a example, in his book Preaching, draws a example, in his book Preaching, draws a distinction between good a good sermon distinction between good a good sermon distinction between good a good sermon and good preaching. He said, "A sermon and good preaching. He said, "A sermon and good preaching. He said, "A sermon can be technically excellent, like clean can be technically excellent, like clean can be technically excellent, like clean outlines, solid exegesis, tight logic, outlines, solid exegesis, tight logic, outlines, solid exegesis, tight logic, and still be spiritually empty. The and still be spiritually empty. The and still be spiritually empty. The aliveness comes from the sermon doing aliveness comes from the sermon doing aliveness comes from the sermon doing its work inside the preacher first. A its work inside the preacher first. A its work inside the preacher first. A great sermon, on the other hand, great sermon, on the other hand, great sermon, on the other hand, sometimes doesn't have the cleanest sometimes doesn't have the cleanest sometimes doesn't have the cleanest outline, the most solid exegesis, or the outline, the most solid exegesis, or the outline, the most solid exegesis, or the tightest logic, but God uses it because tightest logic, but God uses it because tightest logic, but God uses it because it lives in the preacher." it lives in the preacher." it lives in the preacher." If you prompted your way to it, did it If you prompted your way to it, did it If you prompted your way to it, did it really do the work inside you? And if really do the work inside you? And if really do the work inside you? And if you prompt your way through enough you prompt your way through enough you prompt your way through enough sermons, sermons, sermons, I think your ability is going to I think your ability is going to I think your ability is going to atrophy, like a muscle you stop using.

atrophy, like a muscle you stop using. atrophy, like a muscle you stop using. Your just brain and your heart and your Your just brain and your heart and your Your just brain and your heart and your preaching is going to get smaller. preaching is going to get smaller. preaching is going to get smaller. It's like asking someone to do your It's like asking someone to do your It's like asking someone to do your push-ups for you at the gym and then push-ups for you at the gym and then push-ups for you at the gym and then tell everyone you worked out. Nah, you tell everyone you worked out. Nah, you tell everyone you worked out. Nah, you didn't. Somebody else did the work for didn't. Somebody else did the work for didn't. Somebody else did the work for you. So, here's what I did when I wrote you. So, here's what I did when I wrote you. So, here's what I did when I wrote the book that I'm releasing in the book that I'm releasing in the book that I'm releasing in September. It's a book on AI in the September. It's a book on AI in the September. It's a book on AI in the future church. I wrote the first two future church. I wrote the first two future church. I wrote the first two drafts myself. drafts myself. drafts myself. Painful, slow. There were some chapters Painful, slow. There were some chapters Painful, slow. There were some chapters I rewrote five times. I redid the I rewrote five times. I redid the I rewrote five times. I redid the structure of the book twice based on structure of the book twice based on structure of the book twice based on human input from early readers. There human input from early readers. There human input from early readers. There was so much wrestling to figure out what was so much wrestling to figure out what was so much wrestling to figure out what to say, how to say it, how it would help to say, how to say it, how it would help to say, how to say it, how it would help you. you. you. In those first few drafts, I hardly In those first few drafts, I hardly In those first few drafts, I hardly touched AI, even though it was a book touched AI, even though it was a book touched AI, even though it was a book about AI. And only after I had completed about AI. And only after I had completed about AI. And only after I had completed several drafts, did I bring AI in. And several drafts, did I bring AI in. And several drafts, did I bring AI in. And boy, it did help me sharpen sentences, boy, it did help me sharpen sentences, boy, it did help me sharpen sentences, and test arguments, and check research. and test arguments, and check research. and test arguments, and check research. So, my rule is create first, consult So, my rule is create first, consult So, my rule is create first, consult second. And I was disciplined about that second. And I was disciplined about that second. And I was disciplined about that for one reason. I knew if I outsourced for one reason. I knew if I outsourced for one reason. I knew if I outsourced the creating, I'd end up like those the creating, I'd end up like those the creating, I'd end up like those students. A book with my name on it that students. A book with my name on it that students. A book with my name on it that I don't even remember, and I can't I don't even remember, and I can't I don't even remember, and I can't defend, and that my brain would continue defend, and that my brain would continue defend, and that my brain would continue to get lazy, undisciplined, and out of to get lazy, undisciplined, and out of to get lazy, undisciplined, and out of shape.

shape. shape. Nobody really needs a book written like Nobody really needs a book written like Nobody really needs a book written like that, especially, you know, especially that, especially, you know, especially that, especially, you know, especially me. I don't I don't need to write a book me. I don't I don't need to write a book me. I don't I don't need to write a book like that. So, here's a hard question like that. So, here's a hard question like that. So, here's a hard question underneath all of this. underneath all of this. underneath all of this. When was the last time you actually got When was the last time you actually got When was the last time you actually got better at preaching? Not busier, not better at preaching? Not busier, not better at preaching? Not busier, not more efficient by using some prompts, more efficient by using some prompts, more efficient by using some prompts, but clearer at communicating the message but clearer at communicating the message but clearer at communicating the message to your church, and more deeply to your church, and more deeply to your church, and more deeply connected with the text. That's why I connected with the text. That's why I connected with the text. That's why I built The Art of Preaching. It's a built The Art of Preaching. It's a built The Art of Preaching. It's a step-by-step course on how to write step-by-step course on how to write step-by-step course on how to write sermons that stick, take the stress out sermons that stick, take the stress out sermons that stick, take the stress out of sermon prep, preach without notes of sermon prep, preach without notes of sermon prep, preach without notes because you understand your message, and because you understand your message, and because you understand your message, and yes, use AI the right way without losing yes, use AI the right way without losing yes, use AI the right way without losing your voice. your voice. your voice. You'll learn from me, Mark Clark, Megan You'll learn from me, Mark Clark, Megan You'll learn from me, Mark Clark, Megan Fate Marshman, Noah Herron, Adam Mesa, Fate Marshman, Noah Herron, Adam Mesa, Fate Marshman, Noah Herron, Adam Mesa, and Faith Eury Cho. Over 40 lessons, and and Faith Eury Cho. Over 40 lessons, and and Faith Eury Cho. Over 40 lessons, and you'll get tools you can use every week you'll get tools you can use every week you'll get tools you can use every week to preach clear, memorable, and engaging to preach clear, memorable, and engaging to preach clear, memorable, and engaging sermons. So, if you want to keep your sermons. So, if you want to keep your sermons. So, if you want to keep your mind sharp while everybody else mind sharp while everybody else mind sharp while everybody else outsources theirs, outsources theirs, outsources theirs, you should check it out. You can click you should check it out. You can click you should check it out. You can click the link in the description of this the link in the description of this the link in the description of this episode, or visit episode, or visit episode, or visit careynieuwhof.com/theartofpreaching careynieuwhof.com/theartofpreaching careynieuwhof.com/theartofpreaching to get instant access today.

to get instant access today. to get instant access today. So, are you worried? Well, Carey, okay, So, are you worried? Well, Carey, okay, So, are you worried? Well, Carey, okay, I got to go back to the text and start I got to go back to the text and start I got to go back to the text and start wrestling, but my sermon won't be as wrestling, but my sermon won't be as wrestling, but my sermon won't be as good as AI can make it. Well, Zach good as AI can make it. Well, Zach good as AI can make it. Well, Zach Meerkreebs preached the sermon that Meerkreebs preached the sermon that Meerkreebs preached the sermon that immediately preceded the Asbury immediately preceded the Asbury immediately preceded the Asbury outpouring in 2023. When he walked out outpouring in 2023. When he walked out outpouring in 2023. When he walked out of chapel, he texted his wife the exact of chapel, he texted his wife the exact of chapel, he texted his wife the exact words, "I laid a stinker. Be home soon words, "I laid a stinker. Be home soon words, "I laid a stinker. Be home soon for a nap." He thought he did a terrible for a nap." He thought he did a terrible for a nap." He thought he did a terrible job. It wasn't a good sermon. job. It wasn't a good sermon. job. It wasn't a good sermon. The worship kept going for 16 days, and The worship kept going for 16 days, and The worship kept going for 16 days, and that was the beginning that was the beginning that was the beginning of the Asbury outpouring. God used a of the Asbury outpouring. God used a of the Asbury outpouring. God used a stinker. He's done it before. He'll do stinker. He's done it before. He'll do stinker. He's done it before. He'll do it again. So, use AI, but use it later. it again. So, use AI, but use it later. it again. So, use AI, but use it later. Wrestle with the text. Struggle with Wrestle with the text. Struggle with Wrestle with the text. Struggle with God. Pray. Stare at a blank screen. God. Pray. Stare at a blank screen. God. Pray. Stare at a blank screen. Brainstorm your ideas. And then have AI Brainstorm your ideas. And then have AI Brainstorm your ideas. And then have AI do some research and sharpen what you've do some research and sharpen what you've do some research and sharpen what you've already written. already written. already written. Here's my rule when it comes to Here's my rule when it comes to Here's my rule when it comes to spiritual content. Create first, consult spiritual content. Create first, consult spiritual content. Create first, consult second. Brain rot isn't about losing an second. Brain rot isn't about losing an second. Brain rot isn't about losing an edge. It's about entirely losing the edge. It's about entirely losing the edge. It's about entirely losing the ability to create. ability to create. ability to create. So, leaders, the question I started So, leaders, the question I started So, leaders, the question I started with, it's a real one. Are 64% of with, it's a real one. Are 64% of with, it's a real one. Are 64% of pastors losing the ability to preach?

pastors losing the ability to preach? pastors losing the ability to preach? Here's what I believe. The leaders who Here's what I believe. The leaders who Here's what I believe. The leaders who will be making an impact 10 years from will be making an impact 10 years from will be making an impact 10 years from now are the ones who kept their minds now are the ones who kept their minds now are the ones who kept their minds and hearts sharp when everyone else and hearts sharp when everyone else and hearts sharp when everyone else didn't.