
Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of those terms that feels big and intimidating. It sounds like something only massive tech companies can afford to care about, or something out of a science fiction novel. But AI isn’t just for Silicon Valley or dystopian futures. It’s already here, and it’s accessible in ways that matter right now to small businesses and churches.
The tricky part isn’t the technology itself. It’s understanding how to use it. That’s what I want to focus on here: how AI can help small businesses and churches do what they already do, only better.
Why AI Matters
AI is really just a tool for solving problems. It’s a way of automating things that would normally take too much time or energy. For example, AI can summarize long meetings, analyze patterns in your sales, or even write emails. These aren’t flashy uses of AI, but they’re practical. They save time. And saving time is everything when you’re running a small business or a church.
The beauty of AI is flexibility. For a small business, it’s like having an extra employee who works 24/7 and never asks for a paycheck. For a church, it’s like having a volunteer who shows up every time, no matter the task. AI doesn’t just make things easier; it makes things possible that would’ve been unthinkable before.
Small Businesses: Doing More with Less
Running a small business is mostly about figuring out how to do a lot with a little. You don’t have the resources of a big company, but you still have to compete. AI levels the playing field.
Take marketing, for example. Before AI, creating personalized ads was something only big companies with marketing departments could do. Now, tools like ChatGPT or Jasper can help write personalized ad copy for hundreds of different audiences. You don’t need a whole team. You just need a few clicks.
Customer service is another place where AI shines. A chatbot can handle the questions that would usually flood your inbox: “What are your store hours?” or “Do you ship internationally?” The best part? The chatbot doesn’t get tired or frustrated. It answers questions instantly, at any hour.
Even for something as complex as financial forecasting, AI tools like QuickBooks’ built-in analytics can help. They can predict your cash flow or flag unusual spending patterns. It’s like having a financial analyst, but one that costs less than a cup of coffee a day.
Churches: Extending Ministry Beyond Sundays
Churches have always been about connection—connecting people to faith, to each other, and to their community. AI doesn’t change that; it amplifies it.
Imagine a church with a small staff but hundreds of members. Answering questions, coordinating events, and staying connected can feel overwhelming. AI tools can help bridge that gap. A chatbot on your church’s website can answer common questions, like when the next service is or how to get involved in a ministry. It can even pray with someone in the middle of the night when no one else is available.
AI can also help with sermon preparation. Tools like Grammarly or ChatGPT can assist in drafting messages or finding relevant scriptures. It can also help create graphics to help illustrate people and places from history. The preacher can ask the media team to prepare illustrations that graphic represent the main topic of the sermon. It’s not about replacing the pastor’s voice but streamlining the process so they can focus on what really matters: connecting with people.
For example, I’ve been using Midjourney for several months in order to create the background graphic for our church livestream YouTube thumbnails. My process is to find the main person of place being mentioned in the notes by the preacher and present that visually. This workflow is FAR EASIER than attempting to search stock image sites to find an image that resembles the topic and has enough negative space to add the sermon title.
Social media is another area where churches can leverage AI. Tools like Canva or Buffer use AI to help design posts, schedule them, and even analyze how well they perform. That means your church can stay visible and engaged online without hiring a full-time social media manager.
The Barrier Isn’t the Tech
The biggest hurdle to using AI isn’t the technology; it’s the mindset. Most people think AI is too complicated or expensive. But the truth is, it’s easier than ever to get started. Many AI tools are free or cost very little. The challenge is knowing what’s possible and taking that first step.
Start small. Pick one problem you’d love to solve: answering emails, organizing schedules, or creating content. Then find an AI tool that can help. You don’t need to become an expert overnight. You just need to get curious.
Ethical AI: Using It Wisely
Whenever you introduce new tools, especially powerful ones like AI, there’s a responsibility to use them wisely. For small businesses, this means being transparent with customers. If you’re using a chatbot, make sure people know they’re talking to an AI. For churches, it means being thoughtful about how you use technology in ministry. AI is a tool, not a replacement for genuine human connection.
A New Kind of Stewardship
For both small businesses and churches, AI isn’t just a tool; it’s an opportunity. It’s a way to steward resources—time, energy, money—more effectively. The goal isn’t to replace people but to free them up for the things that only people can do.
For a small business, that might mean spending less time on paperwork and more time with customers. For a church, it might mean spending less time managing schedules and more time caring for people.
AI isn’t the future; it’s the present. And the sooner you start using it, the sooner you’ll see the difference it can make.
Start small. Stay curious. And let AI help you do more of what matters. Be sure to reach out to us at info@fivestonesdigital.com or complete the contact us form if you would like assistance on how to get started.