Over the past decade, we’ve seen significant changes in the way Americans watch television. The rise of streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video has led to a decrease in traditional cable and satellite TV subscriptions. So what changes can we expect to see in the next five years? Here are some trends to keep an eye on:

This is how ChatGPT responded to the question, "How Can Pastors Use ChatGPT for Sermon Preparation?"

As a pastor, sermon preparation is an essential part of your role. It involves researching biblical texts, studying theological commentaries, and finding practical ways to apply scripture to everyday life. While these tasks are already challenging, the process can become even more daunting when you’re dealing with a creative block or a time crunch.

Fortunately, there’s a new tool available that can help pastors streamline their sermon preparation process: ChatGPT. ChatGPT is a powerful artificial intelligence language model that can generate human-like text based on the prompts you give it. Here are four ways that pastors can use ChatGPT to help with sermon preparation:

1. Generate ideas for sermon topics: If you’re struggling to come up with a topic for your next sermon, ChatGPT can help you generate ideas. Simply input a prompt such as “What are some relevant sermon topics for young adults?” and let the AI model generate ideas based on current trends, issues, and common concerns of young adults.

2. Get a fresh perspective on a topic: ChatGPT can also help you gain a fresh perspective on a topic you’ve already chosen for your sermon. For example, if you’ve decided to preach on a specific Bible passage, input the verse and ask ChatGPT for insights and interpretations you may not have considered. This can help you expand your understanding of the passage and present it in a new and insightful way to your congregation.

3. Create sermon outlines and main points: Once you have a topic, ChatGPT can help you create an outline and main points for your sermon. Input the topic and ask ChatGPT for ideas on how to structure your message. The AI model can suggest main points, illustrations, and practical applications that can enhance your sermon and make it more engaging for your audience.

4. Research theological concepts and background information: Finally, ChatGPT can help you with research on theological concepts and background information. If you’re struggling to understand a particular doctrine or want to learn more about the historical context of a passage, input your question and let ChatGPT provide you with resources and insights that can deepen your understanding.

In conclusion, ChatGPT is a powerful tool that pastors can use to help streamline their sermon preparation process. It can help with generating ideas, gaining fresh perspectives, creating sermon outlines and main points, and researching theological concepts and background information. By using this AI language model, pastors can save time and energy while still delivering high-quality sermons to their congregations.

“Did you communicate with the vendor about this problem?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“I sent them an email.”

“Did you get a response?”

“No.”

“Then the answer to my first question is no.”

Email has it’s place in our world, but we should never assume that sending an email, in itself, is communicating.  To have communication, the loop must be closed.

Email is also not good for handling difficult situations that require confrontation or dealing with a sticky problem.  For generic problems that have no emotions attached, email usually works fine.

But sometimes, you just need to pick up the phone or log in to Skype and have a vocal rather than text conversation.

Knowing when to say no to email and yes to talking is a key critical thinking skill these days.

According to Nielsen’s global survey of multi-screen media usage, watching video content on computers has become just as common as watching video content on television among online consumers.

"While the in-home TV and computer are still the most popular devices to watch video content, usage and growth in online and mobile technologies is making a sustained impact. Three-quarters (74%) of global respondents report watching video via the Internet (on any device), up four points since 2010, and over half of global online consumers (56%) say they watch video on a mobile phone at least once a month and 28 percent at least once a day."

This TED talk by Brene Brown is profound, enlightening, and encouraging.  Enjoy and share.

David Rehr, former President of the National Association of Broadcasters with some perspective for entrepreneurs on their involvement in government.

While online advertising fell overall in 2009, ad spend on online videos grew 41%.

And, with good reason.  Nielsen Research has recently released a report based on 14,000 surveys to measure the impact of video advertising online vs. video advertising on television. 

The patterns they uncovered were consistent:  video ads run during online full-episode TV programs yield deeper brand impact than corresponding on-air TV ads, with the difference most pronounced among younger viewers age 13-34.

"What accounts for this variation in impact between online video and traditional TV? Data shows that web video viewers are more engaged and attentive to the programs they are watching, which is likely a function of the viewing environment and the oft-required active mouse-clicking to initiate and continue content. Online video is also still a relative novelty compared to traditional forms of media.  Further, and most significantly, reduced ad clutter and the inability to easily skip ads are considerable recall-enhancing factors."

Another conclusion - "online video ads help to reinforce and strengthen the impact of a traditional TV campaign."

More data and analysis here.

There is a lot to say these days about social media.  I haven't seen anything that says it better than this short video.

Link for RSS readers.

Michele Miller has a great article over at Future Now discussing Barack Obama's communication style and why he seems to be hitting such a chord with voters when Hillary was expected to run away with the nomination.  Here's a freshman senator in the thick of the race for President.  No, this is not a political endorsement for Obama, but we can all learn some things from him.

His campaign theme, "Yes We Can!"  Simple. Positive. Inclusive.  He's making his campaign about you rather than about himself.  It has a collective rather than individualistic theme.  He and/or his advisers have an awareness of the emerging culture.

Look at Barack's website.  Then look at McCain's.  And Hillary's.  See the difference?

Read Michele's article.  Then consider your own marketing.  Is it all about you?  The Clinton mystique and communication style worked in the 90's.  But this is a watershed year for cultural change.  What used to work is no longer working.  Have you been noticing this at all? 

Study what's working.

And change.

Couple of sites with some more details about the Future of Online Advertising Conference.

BehindtheBuzz has the most comprehensive coverage I have seen.

Lots of links to other sites with coverage over at Digital Perm.