AI for Church Finances: 5 Practical Ways Pastors Can Use It This Week

There is so much information right now about AI.  Pastors are not suffering from a lack of content about AI. If anything, they’re drowning in it.  Blog posts, reels, seminars, warnings, debates, opinions, and a few (admittedly funny) memes.

And yes, I know, now I’m adding to the noise. 

But knowledge without implementation isn’t useful.  I’m practical like that.  So, let’s put this knowledge to work and give you 5 ways that you can use AI this week to make your church finance life easier. 

1. Build a Better Budget (Without Starting from Scratch)

Most pastors don’t get excited about budgeting season. (As bookkeepers we don’t either, getting you to sit down and do this is painful for us all). 

The best way to begin is with actual numbers from the prior year.  However, if you are staring at a blank spreadsheet try this AI prompt.

“Create a draft annual budget for a church of 150 people with a children’s ministry, worship ministry, local outreach, and typical administrative expenses. Include percentages and line-item suggestions.”

Or if you are thinking of a new ministry, say a new children’s ministry, then use AI to help gain an understanding of the estimated cost.

“Create a simple 12-month budget for a children’s ministry that includes curriculum, volunteer appreciation, supplies, events, and training. Provide estimated amounts for each.”

These won’t produce final numbers, but it’s far easier to edit than to create a budget out of thin air.

2. Make Financial Reporting Clearer

Many pastors tell me they spend unnecessary time rewriting financial reports so others in their board can understand them.  My first suggestion is work with your bookkeeper to get clearer reporting. But if that’s not an option, then try AI.  AI can summarize complex information in plain, everyday language.

“Summarize this financial report in simple terms suitable for a congregational update. Highlight major changes, trends, and anything requiring attention. Use language appropriate for a High School Student to understand.”

Paste the report. Wait 10 seconds. Done.  Note that you can remove all information about name of the organization if you want to protect the identity of the organization.

3. Draft Donor Communications

Pastors care deeply about thanking people well, but writing donor updates, year-end letters, and giving explanations takes time.  But do personalize what AI gives you or you’ll have that ‘AI’ feel all over it rather than your own tone.    

“Write a warm, two-paragraph thank-you letter to church donors explaining how their giving supports ministry impact. Keep it encouraging, simple, and focused on gratitude.”

OR

“Create a simple communication plan for a three-week giving campaign, including weekly email drafts, social media suggestions, and Sunday announcements.”

Communication is so important, and this makes it much easier.

4. Strengthen Internal Controls

Most churches want better processes but don’t have the time to build procedures and checklists. AI can create first drafts for you to refine.

“Create a step-by-step Sunday offering counting procedure for a church, including best practices for internal controls and volunteer roles.”

OR

“Draft a financial policy for the use of church credit cards, including spending limits and required documentation.”

Besides saving time, this protects your church.

5. Get Quick Help With Policies, Procedures & Job Descriptions

Churches often rely heavily on a few key people who “just know how things work.”  You can’t begin to protect that corporate knowledge if that information isn’t written down.  But, understandably, no one really has the time or inclination to do it.  Therefore, have AI do the heavy lifting.  AI can write the first draft, then it can be given to your office admin with the question, ‘does this cover about 80% of what you do’?     

“Write a job description for a part-time office administrator including responsibilities, competencies, and reporting structure.”

Or:

“Draft a financial policy for the use of church credit cards, including spending limits and required documentation.”

Clear, documented systems help to avoid misunderstanding and increases accountability.

What Makes This Different?

AI won’t fix stewardship problems, vision problems, or leadership problems.  It’s just a tool, but it’s a handy one.  Using it can help you:

• Start projects faster

• Communicate more clearly

• Build better systems

• Reduce administrative burden

And sometimes help looks like a few simple prompts that remove hours of unnecessary effort.

Start Small, Choose One Area This Week

Pick one of the five above.
Try one prompt.
See what happens.

And let us know your favourite prompt.  We love sharing helpful ideas across the churches we serve.