One of the things I enjoy doing is finding new or novel ways to do things that make life easier or more enjoyable. I remember ten years ago when online rewards systems were just coming online, and I started BibleBucks 2.0 to help churches streamline and digitize incentives. We still use BibleBucks 2.0 in our kids ministry to help kids memorize scripture verses and catechism questions.
Another application that every pastor should have is Grammarly. As someone who is grammar-challenged, Grammarly not only corrects spelling but fixes punctuation. They have now made it so that it works on mobile phones and across all browsers, so all your communication can be “mostly” free of grammatical errors that are a poor representation of your ministry and a distraction to those passionate about grammar. You know who you are.
Currently, the newest app on the internet that is causing a massive stir is ChatGPT. And when I mean stir I mean Google is in full panic mode because they understand the nature of the threat ChatGPT poses to them as the search engine king.
ChatGPT is a machine learning model that has been trained on a large dataset of text to understand and generate human-like language. It can generate written text, such as responses to prompts, summaries of information, and even creative writing. It can also be used to answer questions, provide information and even conduct conversations. It is essentially like a language-based virtual assistant that can perform various language-related tasks. It is important to note that the output generated by ChatGPT is based on the data it has been trained on, and its responses may not always be accurate or appropriate, so it’s important to use the output with a critical eye.
I have been using ChatGPT, and it is amazing. So far, I have used it in writing video scripts, sermon illustration generation, email template generation, blog idea generation, and sermon text identification.
It works as simply as typing in criteria for a google search. The more specific you are, the better the results. For example, I asked, “How can a pastor use ChatGPT to help him be a better pastor.” This is the result I was given.
A pastor could use ChatGPT to assist with sermon preparation by generating ideas for sermons, researching and summarizing biblical passages, and creating outlines for sermons. ChatGPT could also be used to assist with pastoral care, by generating responses to common questions or concerns and providing resources for further study. Additionally, ChatGPT could be used to help with administrative tasks such as writing newsletters, updating website content, and creating social media posts. However, it is important to note that while ChatGPT can assist with these tasks, it cannot replace the human element of pastoral care and should be used as a tool rather than a substitute.
Volunteer Recruit Announcement
A couple of fun examples of what ChatGPT can do are create announcements for the church bulletin explaining the need for more children’s ministry workers.
First is a limerick
In the church, a need did arise
To recruit some helpers, all full of surprise
With a smile and a grin
We’ll get volunteers in
And the children will look up with bright eyes!
The second is in the form of yoda
Volunteers, for children’s church we need. Hmmm? Young ones, guide and teach, hmmm? A great opportunity, yes. Join us, you should. Hmmm? Your help, greatly valued it will be. Hmmm?