Our AI Practices

Church Commons uses artificial intelligence as an aid in developing some of its theological, educational, design, and technical work. We believe readers should know how these resources are made and who is responsible for them.

Authorship and attribution

Unless otherwise credited, original Church Commons resources are developed by Matthew J. Skolnik, often with AI assistance in research, writing, design, and technical development. Human authors and editors retain responsibility for theological judgments, accuracy, editorial decisions, and final published content.

Resources that name another author, collaborator, organization, translator, or source retain that attribution. “Developed by” recognizes the work of conception, conversation, study, drafting, selection, review, and revision; it does not claim that every sentence, image, translation, or element was created by one person.

What AI may contribute

AI tools may assist with research questions, drafting and revision, comparison of interpretations, constructive critique, resource organization, software development, visual design, and accessibility. The extent of assistance varies considerably from one resource to another. Some materials may involve little or no AI assistance.

AI may help us ask better questions, but it is not an independent theological authority, a substitute for Scripture or the church’s communal discernment, or a replacement for pastoral care and human relationships.

Human responsibility

We seek to examine AI-supported claims, verify important facts and quotations against sources, attribute material from others, and revise errors when we discover them. AI-generated responses can be inaccurate, biased, incomplete, or overconfident. Human review and accountability remain essential.

We also seek to respect pastoral confidentiality and privacy. Confidential pastoral information and identifiable personal details should not be entered into public AI tools. Technology should not make decisions entrusted to pastors, Sessions, or other governing bodies.

Transparency and ongoing discernment

Church Commons is a developing project. We expect our practices to evolve as technology, evidence, and the church’s understanding develop. We take seriously questions about creation care, workers, intellectual property, economic power, accessibility, and the effects of technology on human communities. Using AI does not excuse those concerns; refusing a particular use does not end the responsibility to consider its wider effects.

Specific resources may contain additional author acknowledgments, source citations, or details about the way AI contributed. Where a specific credit differs from the sitewide statement, the resource-specific credit governs.

Between Babel and Pentecost: Articles on AI and Faith

For fuller theological reflection, read Between Babel and Pentecost, a five-article series on technological power, creation care, pastoral vocation, wisdom, and the preservation of truth. The articles are offered for reflection and discussion rather than as required policy or a single prescribed position on AI.

Permissions and licensing

Attribution describes who developed a resource; it does not determine how it may be reused. Resources from other authors and organizations remain theirs. For copying, adapting, republishing, or redistribution, consult the Permissions & Licensing page and any license or permission statement attached to the particular resource.

Questions about attribution, sources, or corrections may be sent through our Contact page.