AI in Small Group Ministry is becoming a powerful tool for improving efficiency and connection. We’ve already witnessed how AI has become a valuable tool in various industries, and ministry is no exception. Over the past year, I’ve been experimenting with custom AI models to simplify repetitive tasks and help our small group ministry thrive at Hoboken Grace. These tools have not only saved me time but also created opportunities for deeper engagement with leaders and group members. Here’s how we’re leveraging AI to make an impact.
Creating Discussion Guides in Minutes
One of the most time-consuming aspects of leading a small group ministry is creating discussion guides. To streamline this process, I developed an AI tool that takes our Sunday message and transforms it into a comprehensive guide for group leaders. It generates a 30-60 second recap of the message for leaders to share with their group, provides several icebreaker suggestions, and offers a curated list of discussion and application questions. Leaders can pick and choose from the options, and the tool organizes everything into a polished, ready-to-use guide. It even adds prayer prompts that align with the week’s topic.
This tool has been a game-changer for our team. It allows us to focus less on logistics and more on connecting with group members. (Side note: If you’re using a service like church.tech for discussion guides, reach out to me—I can help you create a similar tool customized for your church, and probably save you money in the process.)
Generating Event Content That Stands Out
Another way we’re using AI is to streamline event planning and promotion. I’ve built a tool that stores descriptions of all the events we’ve hosted in the past. When it’s time to plan a new event, the AI generates fresh descriptions tailored to our needs. It also drafts follow-up emails to send to attendees, saving hours of work while ensuring consistent and compelling communication.
Enhancing Leadership Development
Leadership development is at the heart of small group ministry, and AI has become an invaluable resource here too. I created a tool that houses all our training materials, making them accessible and actionable. When I’m working on new content, I use the AI to generate fresh ideas or refine existing ones. It’s especially helpful when I have too many ideas swirling around—this tool helps me focus, organize, and turn those ideas into practical leadership lessons.
This tool has also helped me create game plans for equipping leaders. By drawing from the content we already have, it allows us to stay consistent in our messaging while presenting it in new and engaging ways.
Why AI Matters for Ministry
These tools aren’t just about efficiency—they’re about maximizing the time we spend on what really matters: building relationships, encouraging spiritual growth, and empowering leaders. By automating routine tasks, AI allows us to invest more energy into people, which is the true heart of ministry.
If you’re curious about how AI could support your ministry, I’d love to connect. Whether you’re looking to create discussion guides, streamline event planning, or enhance training, there’s incredible potential to save time and make a greater impact.
