Upload
adnams-group
View
2.961
Download
1
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
As communications paradigms shift, the new media affect society. This presentation looks at how media shapes the minds of those with whom the Church is trying to communication the Gospel. This presentation was created for a Lutheran Hour Ministries Regional Outreach Conference in Saskatoon, Canada, July 2012.
Citation preview
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.