To Reject Use of Sermons Created by Artificial Intelligence

WHEREAS, The capabilities and regular use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) have dramatically increased in recent years; and

WHEREAS, These tools are being experimented with and are now commonly used in many industries and across many vocations; and

WHEREAS, These tools are advertised to pastors as time-saving devices for the writing of sermons; and

WHEREAS, Pastors are called to spend more time in God’s Word, not less; and

WHEREAS, Biblically based and doctrinal ly sound resources are readily available as reference tools utilized by pastors; and

WHEREAS, It has pleased God to call flesh-and-blood men, created in His image, baptized and redeemed in the blood of Jesus, to search for lost sheep, to call sinners to repentance, to announce forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name, and to be His preachers and teachers in this world (Matt. 28:18–20; John 20:19–23; Acts 1:8; AC V; AC XIV); and

WHEREAS, It is contrary to God’s establishment of the Office of the Ministry and His design and plan for His Church to be served by an artificial intelligence created in the image and likeness of men (Eph. 4:4–15); and

WHEREAS, AI is un guided by the power of the Holy Spirit and susceptible to the influence of the devil (the wolf in technological clothing) and can be used to deceive God’s people (John 8:44); and

WHEREAS, The primary duties of the called and ordained pastor are the in-person preaching of the Lord’s Word to the congregation(s) entrusted to his care, the visitation of the sick and dying, and the administration of the Lord’s Sacraments according to the Lord’s institution (2 Tim. 4:1–5); and

WHEREAS, No AI can replace this in car national, relational, in- person work; and

WHEREAS, Those pastors who would use AI and LLMs to craft a complete sermon are turning away from the very work of the ministry to which they have been called; and

WHEREAS, Those pastors who would use AI and LLMs to craft a complete sermon espouse—knowingly or unknowingly—a functional view of the Office ofthe Ministry, deny the in car national reality of the Lord’s ministry among His people, and do not walk in concord but apart from their brothers in the Office of the Ministry who labor at faithful preaching and administration of His Sacraments; therefore be it

Resolved, That the president of the Montana District develop a communication tool that can be sent outto all congregational boards of elders; and be it further

Resolved, That the elders and other leaders of each congregation in the district recognize the “wolf in technological clothing” and discuss with their pastor the great dangers of the use of AI for creating a complete sermon; and be it further

Resolved, That the elders and other leaders of each congregation in the district declare without equivocation that the congregation will not accept AI-created sermons preached from their pulpits under any circumstances; and be it further

Resolved, That each pastor in the district reject every public and private temptation to make use of this and other such tools in the delivery of God’s Law and Gospel to His people; and be it finally

Resolved, That the district in convention ask the Synod in convention to adopt and make this resolution their own, that the Synod may walk together on this issue.