ChatGPT Takes the Pulpit: AI Delivers Sermon on Overcoming Fear of Death

In a remarkable event, a Protestant church service in Germany was predominantly generated by artificial intelligence. ChatGPT, an AI chatbot, delivered the sermon, appearing as a Black man with a beard at St. Paul's Church in Fürth. The congregation was reassured not to fear death. 

With over 300 attendees, the service lasted 40 minutes and included prayers, music, and the sermon by ChatGPT. The event was organized by theologian Jonas Simmerlein, who used the AI chatbot to craft the service, with about 98% of the content originating from the machine.

This unique church service took place during the Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag, a biennial event in Nuremburg and Fürth, attracting tens of thousands of Christians. The theme for this year's gathering is "Now is the time," and AI was among the topics addressed.

Simmerlein engaged ChatGPT by asking, "We are at the church congress, you are a preacher... what would a church service look like?" The AI chatbot then incorporated psalms, prayers, and a concluding blessing into the sermon, resulting in what Simmerlein described as a "pretty solid church service." 

The chatbot's sermon emphasized leaving the past behind, focusing on the present, overcoming the fear of death, and maintaining faith in Jesus Christ. However, some attendees expressed concerns about the lack of emotional depth, body language, and monotonous delivery of the AI avatars. 

Heiderose Schmidt, an attendee, noted that the avatars displayed no emotions and spoke rapidly, making it challenging to concentrate. However, she acknowledged that the younger generation, more accustomed to AI, may have a different perspective.

Simmerlein acknowledged that while the AI-generated service had its merits, artificial intelligence cannot replace the deep connection and understanding that a human pastor has with the congregation. The presence of a pastor who knows and shares life with the community is irreplaceable.