Generative AI: The Essentials

For Everyone Working with or on Behalf of the URC

This guidance applies to all staff, ministers, committee members, and volunteers who use AI tools as part of their work or ministry within the URC.

For local churches, this includes the use of AI to support worship, administration, communication, and community activities. For the Office of General Assembly staff and committees, it includes use in governance, policy, operational, and support functions.

This section explains who the guidance is for, the purpose and principles that underpin it are set out below.

Purpose of this Guidance

The purpose of this guidance is to provide clear, practical advice so that everyone across the URC – including staff, ministers, elders, committee members, volunteers, and local churches – can use AI tools appropriately without needing specialist knowledge. It is intended to help protect people’s privacy, dignity, and safety by reducing the risk of accidentally sharing sensitive, pastoral, safeguarding, or personal information, and by supporting compliance with data protection requirements.

This guidance also encourages ethical, values-led decision-making. AI tools can produce information that appears convincing but may be inaccurate or biased, and this guidance helps ensure that human compassion, discernment, and URC principles remain central. By setting shared expectations, it promotes consistency across churches, Synods, and the Office of General Assembly, while supporting digital confidence and responsible innovation. Above all, it aims to reduce risks and potential harm, and to help the denomination reflect Christ-like values of care, respect, fairness, truthfulness, and community in a rapidly changing digital age.

What is Generative AI?

Generative Artificial Intelligence (often called AI) refers to digital tools that can create new content such as text, images, audio, or summaries. These tools work by identifying patterns in large amounts of information and generating responses based on what you ask them.

AI tools can be helpful for everyday tasks, but they must be used carefully, responsibly, and with good judgment.

Common AI Tools Your May Have Heard Of

Some widely used AI tools include:

• ChatGPT: text drafting, summaries, ideas, explanations
• Microsoft Copilot: writing support within Microsoft tools
• Google Gemini: text and research assistance
• Grammarly: writing suggestions and grammar checks
• Canva AI: creating images, posters, and presentations

Remember: New tools appear regularly, but the same principles apply to all of them.

How AI Can Be Helpful

Used well, AI can support your work and ministry by:

• Drafting complex emails, letters, or reports
• Summarising long documents
• Generating ideas for worship, teaching, or events
• Helping explain complex topics in plain language
• Supporting accessibility (for example, simplifying text)

Remember: AI should be used as a support tool, not a replacement for human thinking, prayer, discernment, or pastoral care.

Things to Be Very Careful About

When using AI tools, it is important to remember that they do not truly understand context, nuance, or consequences in the way people do. AI can produce responses that sound confident and authoritative but may be inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading. It may also reflect bias or rely on information that is outdated. In addition, many AI tools store or reuse what users type into them, meaning information shared may not remain private. For these reasons, AI should always be used with care and good judgment, and certain types of information must never be entered into AI tools.

Never Put These into AI Tools

Do not enter:

• names or contact details of staff, volunteers, or members
• safeguarding information or concerns
• pastoral conversations or sensitive personal details
• health, HR, or financial information
• confidential church business or committee discussions

Remember: If you would not share the information with a stranger, do not put it into AI.

Checking AI Output

Before using or sharing anything produced by an AI tool, it is important to take time to review it carefully. AI-generated content can sometimes be inaccurate, misleading, or simply poor quality or unhelpful, even when it sounds confident. All content should be read in full, with facts and figures checked rather than assumed to be correct. The tone may also need adjusting to ensure it reflects URC values and communicates with care, respect, and kindness. It is important to consider whether the content is appropriate for its purpose and audience. Responsibility for the final content always rests with the person using the tool-not the AI

Keep AI use Transparent

When AI has meaningfully contributed to significant pieces of work, such as public communications, reports, policies, liturgical material, or sermon outlines, its use should be transparent. The person responsible for the work should be aware that AI has been used, and appropriate oversight should be applied. This helps ensure accuracy, accountability, and trust, and supports good governance and shared responsibility across the Church.

Using AI in Line with URC Values

Any use of AI should reflect the URC’s commitment to:

• dignity and respect for all people
• safeguarding and care
• honesty and transparency
• fairness and inclusion
• equality and justice
• care for community
• responsible use of technology

Remember: AI should support human connection, not replace it.

A Simple Test Before Using AI

Before using an AI tool, ask yourself the following:

• Would I be comfortable if this information became public?
• Does this task need a human conversation instead?
• Am I using this to help my work, not avoid responsibility?

Remember: If you are unsure, pause and seek advice.

In Summary

• AI tools can be helpful and timesaving
• Use AI thoughtfully and responsibly
• Never share personal, confidential, or safeguarding information
• Always check and edit AI-generated content
• Keep people, care, and values at the centre

Remember: AI is a tool; human judgment always comes first.

For further advice or guidance, please refer to any existing URC policies or contact your Synod or the Office of General Assembly.