How to use ChatGPT to discover what you and your ministry should be doing in 3-5 years

Bob Whitesel March 15, 2025

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It's easy to look at your past ministry, but projecting the future of your ministry is more challenging but critically important. Churches are often slow-cycle organizations (taking 18 months or more to change). So it is important to look ahead at changes coming to your community and start planning now.

I teach my clients and doctoral students how they can use a simple 3-step process to use ChatGPT to find out what the community they're reaching out to will look like soon.

Here is the 3-step process I used to help a South Central Los Angeles church leader discover the future of his outreach field:

1. Ask ChatGPT what the community to which you reach out will look like sometime in the future. Don't go out too far with dates. Three to five years is best.
2. After ChatGPT responds, look up the citations and decide which are the most valid. Consider ChatGPT a "graduate assistant whose ideas needed to be properly evaluated, analyzed, and vetted" (Chris, Fuller DMin student).
3. ChatGPT responded (below) to our question: What will South Central LA urban churches look like in 2028?

(Full transcript below retrieved from ChatGPT 4o, March 7, 2025)

By 2028, urban churches in South Central Los Angeles are likely to experience significant transformations influenced by demographic shifts, technological advancements, and urban development.

Demographic shifts and community engagement

Historically, South Central LA has been a predominantly African-American community, but over recent decades, there has been a notable increase in Latino residents. This evolving demographic landscape has prompted churches to adapt their outreach and services to cater to a more diverse congregation. By 2028, it's anticipated that urban churches will continue to embrace this diversity, offering multilingual services and culturally inclusive programs to meet the spiritual and social needs of their communities. lusk.usc.edu

Technological Integration and Smart City Initiatives

As Los Angeles advances its "SmartLA 2028" strategy, churches are expected to integrate more technology into their operations. This includes enhancing digital communication platforms, live-streaming services, and utilizing data analytics to better understand and serve their congregants. Such technological integration will enable churches to expand their reach and engage with younger, tech-savvy members of the community. ita.lacity.gov

Urban development and housing initiatives

Urban development projects, such as the proposed affordable housing at 665 E. Adams Boulevard, indicate a trend where vacant church properties are being repurposed to address community needs like housing. This reflects a broader movement where churches collaborate with city planners and developers to provide essential services, positioning themselves as pivotal community hubs in the urban landscape of 2028. la.urbanize.city+1la.urbanize.city+1

Church planting and growth

Recent reports highlight a church planting movement in Los Angeles, with nearly 100 Southern Baptist churches established since 2021. This growth trend suggests that by 2028, there will be an increased presence of new churches in South Central LA, contributing to a dynamic and evolving religious community. csbc.com

In summary, by 2028, urban churches in South Central Los Angeles are expected to be more diverse, technologically integrated, and actively involved in community development, reflecting the broader changes within the city.

(TWO NOTES from Dr. Whitesel)

• If my doctoral students copy word-for-word any of ChatGPT's responses above, they must cite that ChatGPT said that, not them.
• The above search results from ChatGPT were on the $20 month Plus Plan (because I and my student both subscribe at this level). Results from other subscription levels may vary.

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Bob Whitesel (D.Min., Ph.D.) is a foresight coach, professor, and award-winning author of 14 books. For over 30 years, he has guided leaders and churches to pivot and engage what’s next. He holds two earned doctorates from Fuller Theological Seminary and teaches on leadership foresight, church health, and organizational change. His website is www.ChurchForesight.com. Learn More »

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