Is Pastoring Becoming Artificial? A Survey of The Perception and Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Among Seventh-Day Adventist Clergy in Nigeria

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is entering pastoral work worldwide, yet empirical and denomination-specific evidence from Africa remains scarce. This study examined how Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) clergy in Nigeria use generative AI, how they assess its usefulness and theological risks, and how these assessments relate to their intention to use it. A cross-sectional, convergent mixed-methods survey was completed by a purposive sample of 48 pastors from five conferences and missions in the Federal Capital Territory and Lagos, Ogun and Abia States. Closed items were analysed with descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations, and four open-ended items were analysed thematically. Most respondents (83.3%) reported some use of generative AI in ministry in the previous 12 months, chiefly ChatGPT (58.3%) and Meta AI (50.0%), mainly for sermon preparation (41.7%) and communication (31.2%). Perceived usefulness (M = 3.55, SD = 1.01) and theological concern (M = 3.31, SD = 1.10) were both moderately high. The leading concern was doctrinal inaccuracy (M = 3.73) rather than displacement of the Holy Spirit. Perceived usefulness was the only construct significantly associated with behavioural intention (r = .50, p < .001), and 81.2% of pastors wanted Conference-organised training. Nigerian Adventist pastors hold a structured ambivalence towards generative AI, accepting it as a research aid subordinate to prayer, study and doctrinal verification, which calls for denominational guidelines and training before informal practice becomes entrenched.