Leading with Integrity in the Age of AI

Five principles for ethical AI leadership

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how ministries operate and serve. For Christian leaders, this shift is both exciting and sobering. How do we embrace innovation without compromising biblical values? How do we steward technology ethically while advancing kingdom work?

AI offers unprecedented potential to accelerate mission impact, streamline operations, and amplify outreach. Yet, without intentional governance, it will introduce risks—ethical, financial, and relational. At Compassion, we’ve chosen deliberate stewardship over speed: leveraging AI as a tool for ministry, not as a master of it.

The Opportunity and the Risk

AI can help ministries analyze data to better serve communities, automate repetitive tasks, and personalize engagement. Scripture reminds us in Proverbs 4:7, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

Technology without wisdom can lead to harm.

Technology without wisdom can lead to harm. The worldly benefits are tempting. Leaders must ensure that every AI initiative aligns with God’s purposes for their ministry.

Five Principles:

1. Start with Purpose, Not Hype 

Begin every initiative by asking: “Does this glorify Jesus and serve people well?” Colossians 3:17 says, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” The Beatitudes teach us how to treat others. Brook no compromises on the alignment of any technology use with biblical directions and your mission. Be relentless and inflexible about this.

2. Build Guardrails with the Highways 

Compassion established an AI Center of Excellence to ensure governance, ethics, skills, and accountability. Guardrails prevent data misuse. Best practices and good technology platforms allow for speed. Build both the guardrails and the highways.

3. Empower People, Not Replace Them

AI should free staff for relational ministry—the heart of our calling. Hebrews 10:24 urges us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” reminding us that human connection remains central. Give your workforce the gift to learn, grow, and innovate with technology through hackathons and innovation sprints. Keep them safe with guardrails. Use technology to help your workforce, volunteers, communities, and ministry beneficiaries to thrive.

4. Start Small, Scale Fast

Pilot projects and rapid prototypes help evaluate ideas without risking mission integrity. They prove out data quality, readiness, and availability for machine learning and model development. They provide opportunities for collaborations and to test the value of the AI ideas before investing in scale. Learn positively from small failures and scale successes.

5. Practice Radical Transparency 

Communicate openly about what AI does and doesn’t do. Trust thrives in clarity. Ephesians 4:25 says, “Speak truthfully to your neighbor.” Invite others into technology initiatives. Choose industry partners carefully. Understand the license agreement, how they source data and train AI models. Know how your data might be shared or used to train and monetize their models. Choose partners you are proud to associate with your ministry.

A Call to Christian Leaders

AI is not just a technical challenge—it’s a leadership challenge. As stewards of influence, we must model discernment, humility, and courage. Let’s lead the conversation on ethical innovation, ensuring technology amplifies our compassion rather than diminishes it.

In all you do, reflect Micah 6:8 “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Make AI ethics a positive differentiator between your ministry and the world.

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Dr. Jeff Collins serves as the Senior Director of Architecture, Data and Analytics, and Platforms at Compassion International. He earned his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University. With decades of military experience in technology strategy and a passion for kingdom impact, Jeff helps ministries navigate innovation with integrity and faith-driven vision.