Modern Philosophy of Media in Church
by Anthony D. Coppedge, CTS
WHY IS MEDIA IMPORTANT?
In 1 Corinthians 9:22, Paul says, "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." Or how about 1 Corinthians 14:19 "But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue."
Yes, Paul was talking about speaking in tongues, but the principal of the issue is that in many churches today, an unchurched visitor may only see and hear what might as well be a foreign language. By not using the communication tools that our culture has accepted, we are limiting the opportunity to reach the media-savvy.
We can use these tools without losing the message. It is the message that is pure and eternal, not the medium through which it is expressed.
I would also ad Romans 10:17. Yes, I know that it says that faith comes from hearing the Word. But there is no doubt that �hearing� encompasses so much more in today�s society. It is seeing as well!
The United States probably has the most media-savvy audience in the world. Hollywood�s movie industry, the top-notch commercial advertising and state-of-the-art entertainment facilities have raised the level of �acceptable� media to a staggeringly high level.
So how can a church compete with that? I don�t believe we have to produce $1 million commercials for the Super Bowl, but we can use the same media/production techniques that Hollywood uses.
Passion for the work being produced leads to quality. Those are key. It is that passion and quality that attracts people. They want to be a part of something exciting. What is more exciting than knowing what has been done for you by Jesus? If that passion and quality rather than apathy and mediocrity are present, the Holy Spirit will move within us to reach others through media.
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