Purpose: Preaching to the Choir or to the Masses
Something that really gets at me with Christians, is the misorganization that people have concerning where they minister. There are, if you will, some instances where we are ministering to otehr believers. There is a vernacular, base-level of knowledge, and maybe even allertiations to familiar concepts that are used. Then, there is the outreaching to those outside of the faith. There is a seperate vernacular, seperate assumption towards a base-level of knowledge, as well as simplified concepts and terms because of the lack of association.
When I read this article at Philly.com, I was struck not so much by the fact that Christian media is looked at as being unsuccessful to the masses, but that its just as unsuccessful to Christians. If (in this example) Christian TV/Radio stations are there as outreaches, then complaints about concepts and terms used that are quite valid and point to something quite important; are these outlets meeting their purpose.
One quote in the article linked says,
"The vast majority of listeners to Christian radio are born-again Christians, according to the Barna Group, a Christian research organization. Christian television draws its strength from people in their 60s and older, females, residents of the South, African Americans, people with limited education and income, and born-again Christians."
If that is the case, then why design content and all it an outreach, if all it is doing is inreaching. Or, if the purpose is outreaching, where is the directed content towards those whom are not familiar with traditional concepts and terms.
I am quite aware of the scripture that states that the natual man cannot understand the things of the Spirit. This is why Jesus used parables. It WAS too hard for people to understand love not being duty; understand service being love and not law. You NEEDED parables for these points. If we aren't going to follow along the same mindset/format as Jesus and others in this fashion, we might as well retrain ourselves to only expect to receive from the choir, for the masses will not hear us at all.
When I read this article at Philly.com, I was struck not so much by the fact that Christian media is looked at as being unsuccessful to the masses, but that its just as unsuccessful to Christians. If (in this example) Christian TV/Radio stations are there as outreaches, then complaints about concepts and terms used that are quite valid and point to something quite important; are these outlets meeting their purpose.
One quote in the article linked says,
"The vast majority of listeners to Christian radio are born-again Christians, according to the Barna Group, a Christian research organization. Christian television draws its strength from people in their 60s and older, females, residents of the South, African Americans, people with limited education and income, and born-again Christians."
If that is the case, then why design content and all it an outreach, if all it is doing is inreaching. Or, if the purpose is outreaching, where is the directed content towards those whom are not familiar with traditional concepts and terms.
I am quite aware of the scripture that states that the natual man cannot understand the things of the Spirit. This is why Jesus used parables. It WAS too hard for people to understand love not being duty; understand service being love and not law. You NEEDED parables for these points. If we aren't going to follow along the same mindset/format as Jesus and others in this fashion, we might as well retrain ourselves to only expect to receive from the choir, for the masses will not hear us at all.
posted by Antoine @ 9/19/2005 04:49:00 PM
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