How Do Media Help Us?
Here's what one theologian and journalist had to say after seeing Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ: 'If this film doesn't have lasting consequences for our declining Western society, woe is us! I hope that the millions who will follow me into the cinemas will, like me, sit trembling for hours, realising that after this film, only one thing helps: prayer.'
Gibson's film is probably the most dramatic example in modern times of the power of modern media to bring awareness of the core Christian message. More than ever, the church needs to break through the clutter of information and bring the gospel to people's attention. We need to make use of all the creative communication technologies available today, for they bring with them certain unique benefits.
Modern mass media:
1. Raise the Awareness of the Gospel in the General Population
The 'Gospel' is much more than a series of texts, which we quote like worn-out clichés. It is a complete world-view, a way of interpreting reality. It explains all of the fundamental questions of the human condition: who we are, where we came from and why we find ourselves in our present situation. It also explains how we can find redemption from our present condition.
Of all the perspectives on offer, the Christian worldview is the only one that fits with the facts as we see them. As far as reaching the world for Christ is concerned, we cannot change people's fundamental behaviour until there's been a change in their worldview.
Yet, according to a recent survey by the Barna Research group, only 4% of Americans hold to a Christian worldview, and allow it to affect their decisions. I suspect that the figure would be even less here in Europe.
Mass media help us to raise the consciousness of a large number of people to the values of the gospel, preparing the soil of peoples' hearts and minds for the Christian message. Mass media cannot replace the preaching, teaching or outreach of the local church. They can, however, offer unique opportunities for the preparation of 'the soil'.
2. Focus the Gospel on Particular Demographics
Electronic mass media are not blunt instruments. They are sharp scalpels for specific operations. They should be used to meet very specific, clearly identified needs. We need to put more time into researching the way we use TV, radio, the Internet and print media.
People tend to respond differently to any message depending on their economic situation, where they live and their background. 'One size' does not fit all! Research helps us to identify the position of our audience. It shows us the shaping influences and the current attitudes of generations and people groups.
Research also helps us to identify our resources - especially in terms of money and people. Before we start any media project, we need to think carefully about what kinds of people it will require. We need to ask whether we have those people 'in house'. Will we need to outsource -- or pass on some of the work to other churches or organizations?
No single presentation can meet all the needs of all the people all the time, in the local church or the media. We need to focus, or we invariably set ourselves up for frustration, disappointment and failure.
3. Break Predictability Barriers in the Community
The biggest enemy of Christian communication is predictability. Whenever the church tries to spread its message, it faces a wall of stereotyped assumptions. 'The church is boring, and without style. The church is out-of-touch. The church takes itself too seriously and looks down on those who don't share its beliefs.' They're just a few of the preconceptions people hold about the church.
To communicate truth, we must first set about removing the bricks from the wall. How do we do this? By doing the unexpected. Jesus' entire ministry was characterised by the element of surprise. People marvelled at his miracles, they were amazed at this teaching and they were shocked by his death.
If we use mass media creatively and cleverly, we can present Jesus in a way people don't expect, and can't easily ignore. An intelligent use of media can break down walls of predictability, allowing us to get our message through.
4. Augment the Role of the Local Church
The local church can use preaching-on-TV within a local community, with good effect. I have a number of friends who do this with great results. This type of presentation, however, suits the converted more than the unconverted. It can never fully meet the need for a mass media presentation of the Christian message.
We need to find more creative ways of using media. We need to look at producing drama, music programs, documentaries, social comment and even comedy.
Mass media don't take the place of local church - far from it. Media presenters and even TV preachers can never build discipleship as effectively as the local church (though some have tried). Through modern media, however, we can help to make the local church 'look good', raising the profile of Christian values and thinking.
© Mal Fletcher 2004
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