how media shapes society

WHAT’S ON YOUR MINDMedia and Society

Faith facts

“I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.” Explanation to the third article, Small Catechism

Faith facts For “everyone who calls on the name of the

Lord will be saved.”

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?

And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard?

And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

And how are they to preach unless they are sent?

As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Romans 10:13-15

What’s our role?

Understanding some of the barriers to the Gospel

Ensure the Gospel is proclaimed in ways people understand

Hearing and listening

Media and its messages shape the hearers

Hearing and listening

We need to understand• Environment in which people

hear• Vocabulary they use• Attitudes they live with

Paradigm shifts

Printing press Hearers also become readers Personal choice of content Mass but controlled sharing of ideas Prime communication vehicle for the

Church Long-term accessibility

Paradigm shifts

Broadcast media (radio and television) Hearers also become passive listeners

and viewers Increased personal choice of content Increased sharing of ideas Limited use by the Church Short-term accessibility

Paradigm shifts

Online media Hearers are readers, viewers, and

creators Almost unlimited choice of content International sharing of ideas Growing use by the Church Constant accessibility

Transition

That was then… limited choice for entertainment viewing was often a family

activity common ground for conversation

That was then… respect for institutions

That was then… news from limited sources and viewpoints

That was then

high regular attendance major peer group/community denominational allegiance

That was then

a voice heard in society

This is now multi-source personalized choice perceived need for immediacy sceptical of institutions constant communication

This is now

constant news and information

This is now declining regular attendance/membership aging congregations reduced church peer/community interaction declining denominational allegiance a voice virtually ignored in society

Where are people at?

Mainstream media messaging Mostly “a-religious” often “anti-

religious” worldview Moral ambiguity and relativism Religious

scepticism/disrespect/ridicule Interest in spirituality Underpinnings in science (modern)

Mainstream media messaging “tolerance” as long as you agree

with me strong belief often branded as

fanaticism Church viewed as mostly

irrelevant

Online media

All over the map! Social media contacts/friends tend to

support your beliefs Facebook friends Twitter followers Blogs

Opportunities for planting seeds and sparking conversation

Effects of media

Does media reflect or shape society’s values? Broadcast media Social media Online media

Understanding media Commercial media are in the business

of delivering an audience to an advertiser

BroadcastNewspapersFacebookGoogleYoutube

Give people what they want because it builds an audience for advertisers

Attitudes

Secularism Religious ridicule

Attitudes

Church attendance is another Sunday morning choice in a list of activitiesReligious life competes with other optionsWIIFM

How do we reach this media-shaped people?

Back to the future - Acts

First vs. 21st century knowledge of the true God biblical illiteracy multiple religions surrounded by sensuality spirituality vs. Christianity

Back to the future - Acts

Back to the future - Acts

Back to the future - Acts

Reliance on the Holy Spirit Took a common starting point and

taught the truth Strong awareness of “where people

are at” Culturally relevant Preached with boldness

It boils down to who you know,

not just what you know

Who you know

Build relationships: “friending and following for the sake of the Gospel”

Earn the right to be heard Show who you are and Whose you are Immersion in God’s Word

Faith facts

Fundamental belief that the Holy Spirit is already at work in some way.

The Holy Spirit is the only agent by which a person can say Jesus Christ is Lord

We are news bearers/messengers and story tellers. “All I know is that once I was blind but now I see!”

Mission is being salt and light

in an unsavoury, dark world.

Questions and comments

ian@adnamsgroup.com

www.adnamsgroup.com