Write the Vision, Make It Plain
How artificial intelligence can serve your church’s processes, branding and production without replacing the anointing.
Presented by James L. Wright, MBA
Habakkuk 2:2
AI for the Platform. Not the Pulpit.
Your sermon comes from prayer, study and the Holy Spirit. Let AI carry the flyers, forms and follow-ups, so you have more time in the study.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” (2 Timothy 2:15)
A Good Research Tool. God Still Leads.
Historical & cultural background
Understand the world a passage was written in.
Hebrew & Greek word meanings
Explore the original language behind a word.
Cross-references, maps & timelines
See how Scripture connects across books and eras.
Summaries of articles & commentaries
Get the main points of long reading quickly.
Let God lead you.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Proverbs 3:5–6
Check every source. Pray over every word.
Two Lanes Where AI Shines
Church Processes
Bulletins and announcements, letters and thank-you notes, meeting agendas and minutes, usher and volunteer schedules, and event checklists. “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40)
Branding & Production
Flyers and social media graphics, matching colors and logo ideas, slides for service and livestream, captions and short clips, and website text. “Write the vision, and make it plain.” (Habakkuk 2:2)
Prompt Like You S.E.R.V.E.
A prompt is simply what you type or say to AI. Include these five pieces and you’ll get better results every time. Tap the microphone if you’d rather talk than type.
“Make a flyer for our church event.”
“I’m the media coordinator at a Pentecostal church. Create a flyer for our Family & Friends Day on Sunday at 11 AM. It’s for neighbors who have never visited. Make it warm, joyful and welcoming. Use royal purple and gold, mention the cookout after service, and keep the words short and easy to read.”
The Picture Prompt Recipe
Subject
a gospel choir singing
Setting
in a sunlit sanctuary
Style
warm watercolor painting
Colors
purple and gold
Mood
joyful and uplifting
Shape
square for Facebook, wide for screens, tall for flyers
Four Pro Tips
Add your words afterward
AI often misspells words inside pictures. Add titles, dates and times in Canva, Word or PowerPoint.
Ask for room for a title
Say “leave empty space at the top” so your words have a home.
Change one thing at a time
Not quite right? Say “make it brighter” or “add more people” and try again.
Honor real people
Never make fake photos of real members, pastors or bishops. Use real photos for real people.
Free tools to try: Microsoft Designer / Copilot, Canva (Magic Media), ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Adobe Express. Most have free versions with daily limits.
Guard the Gate: Five Rules
Keep private things private
No names with prayer requests, giving records, phone numbers or health details.
Check every Scripture
AI can misquote verses or invent references. Open your Bible.
Verify facts, dates and names
It can sound very confident and still be wrong.
Respect copyright
Show song lyrics only under your church’s license (like CCLI). Don’t copy others’ art.
You have the final say
AI drafts. People decide. The Holy Spirit leads.
The 7-Day AI Challenge
- 1
Say hello
Download one free AI app and ask it: “Help me plan a church picnic.”
- 2
S.E.R.V.E. one real task
Use it for this week’s announcement, letter or schedule.
- 3
Make one piece of art
Create a graphic for your next event and share it with your media team.
“Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”
HABAKKUK 2:2 (KJV)