The Media Church

Media has moved from a position of popular entertainment, which includes movies, television programs, music, internet, and social media, to a place where it has now become a media culture. A media culture occurs when our shared consciousness as a people or a society reflects the views, ideas, and beliefs of our media and entertainment, which has now combined to create a force that has never existed in the history of our society. It’s impossible to distinguish where culture ends and where media begins. No space exists between the two.

The media culture has created a new church and a new place of worship that is without a physical address. Its members are unaware that this new church exists or that they are a part of it. It is America’s fastest growing church--the church of media and entertainment.

The members of this church are searching for the truth, but they must experience truth in order for it to be authentic. They are highly influenced by postmodern philosophy. They seek connectivity and two-way communication. They desire to express their views and opinions about life and interact with those who have different views. Social media and You Tube are an intricate part of their lives because they want to be involved in the process. That’s why many in this church make and distribute their own media. They are searching for the truth but do not want to be told what the truth is. They seek a safe place where it’s easy for them to fit in and where they are not required to do anything.

Whether you realize it or not, this media culture does exist. For the majority of the population, it is nothing more than trivial entertainment or harmless popular culture. But I believe this media culture is a crisis for our society. And for committed Christians who are concerned about their faith, it is undoubtedly so because Christianity has lost its impact on the culture. Media and culture have merged to create a “media culture”. By doing so, it is capable of controlling the hearts and minds of this generation. More importantly, the media culture is moving into a position where it will control the direction of Christianity. But perhaps the greatest crisis we face is when we fail to respond to the opportunity the media culture crisis presents to the Church.

What opportunity does the media culture present? First it’s important to note that today’s media consumption per week is somewhere between 50 to 60 hours. Teenagers will typically spend up to 8 hours a day consuming some form of electronic media. It’s clear to see what has their attention. The majority of the population is interested in movies, television, mobile media and every other form of electronic communication. This segment of the population lives and breathes within the church of media and entertainment.

Since we now have a media culture that is capable of shaping attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that lead people away from God, then it is just as capable of being used in a manner that will lead them toward God. We need to realize that God is already at work in the media culture and the church of media and entertainment. All he requires is for us to join him in his work.

How do we build a bridge to engage them? Is it possible that they are finding a more profound spiritual and satisfying experience in the media? If we are going to engage this church, we must understand what makes it a church. First, it’s impossible to deny the power, size and scope of today’s media institutions. They are the pillars of today’s media and entertainment church. Five multimedia conglomerates dominate and control the cross-promotion and selling of today’s media culture to our society. CBS Corporation, formerly Viacom, Time Warner, NBC Universal, Walt Disney and News Corp produce over 80% of media and entertainment produced in North America.

Each company has its own film, broadcasting, news cable outlet, publishing, internet, and music interests. Combine that with over 700 motion pictures being produced in Hollywood yearly and 300 broadcast and cable networks and you can understand the magnitude and power of today’s media. In fact, the real center of power no longer resides in Washington D.C. It can be found in the boardrooms of these five multimedia conglomerates. They can dictate what is important as well as what is not important. Their decisions not only influence culture but also make culture.

Second, our society and culture have created a symbiotic relationship with media and entertainment. They are dependant on each other. In some ways, we find our value and purpose in the media we consume. It helps to define who we are as a person. Our identity is therefore a part of the relationship that we have with our entertainment and media choices. We are what we consume. The real nature of this relationship can be found in the roots of consumerism.

Media and entertainment are tied to the marketplace of ideas. However, in reality, there is only one idea that fuels this relationship. That is the buying and selling of media and entertainment produced by the five major multimedia conglomerates. This idea becomes a religion because it promotes a lifestyle and a belief system that enables us to see the need and the desire to embrace whatever entertainment and media they market and promote.
 
Finally, the church of media and entertainment is a legitimate church because it shares many of the characteristics of our own Christian tradition. That includes having a god, an experience, structure, a belief system, an ultimate truth, worship, community/fellowship, customs and rituals, a sense of purpose, a vision, a bible, a place of origin in history and a hierarchy.

 A God

The church of media and entertainment has many gods which could include technology, movies, a director, an actor or could more likely be yourself. You determine who your god will be. But whatever choice you make, he will be on your side and interested in meeting your needs. Your god is accessible and available at all times.

An Experience

Members in this church seek a profound experience. It can be found in technology, consuming media or making media. They seek a relationship with the experience; therefore, they want it to be interactive so that they are a part of it. The experience should be capable of meeting and fulfilling whatever the emotional need.

Structure, Belief System and Ultimate Truth

Members in this church are looking for answers. In one way or another they are asking questions about the nature and purpose of life. Media provides the structure in which they can ask questions. Although there are many belief systems expressed in media and entertainment, it is possible to find one that fits into your philosophical approach to life. Beliefs can be expressed in movies and on television or any other new form of new media. By consuming media, they are looking for an experience which will lead to some form of truth.

Worship

Worship can take place any time, anywhere. Worship is an act of praise or honor to a god or gods. Worship can also be defined as being in the presence of your god or gods. Members of the church of media engage in the act of worship when they interact with any form of media. This can happen at a movie theater, at home or in front of the internet. Worship is continuous and ongoing.

Community/Fellowship

Members of the church of media and entertainment have a profound need to be connected--to be a part of something which leads to social interaction. Fellowship can occur not only while watching media but talking about media. What was your experience? What do you think the movie was saying? What did you think about the character? Social media provides the perfect framework for the need to engage in community and fellowship.
 
Customs and Rituals

Going to a movie theater can be a ritual in itself. The experience can provide a rich texture of sights and sounds. Buttery popcorn and the comforting feel of a reclining chair are part of the rituals and just as important as the movie. Rituals are also performed in other forms of consumption, including watching your favorite television show, by engaging in activity that makes you comfortable, such as certain drinks, food, or other preparations. Customs can also be found in the Academy Awards and other iconic images of the entertainment industry.

A Sense of Purpose

We wrongly assume that media is just entertainment. Members of this church can find purpose in the media through the process of interacting with media, technology, friends, and the experiences it creates. The media in and of itself becomes a purpose.

A Vision

Members of this church are searching for a lifestyle and a worldview that make their lives meaningful. Because media is so diverse, it is possible to find a vision that makes you comfortable. Your vision may not necessarily be about changing the world but may be about creating a life that makes you feel good about yourself. It offers a sense of completeness.

A Bible

The church of media has a bible. It is their stories—the stories shared in movies, television and every other form of electronic media. Most find a form of truth that helps to define their beliefs, attitudes, and worldview.

A Place of Origin in History

The Mecca for the church of media and entertainment is Hollywood. All things holy exist and dwell in this strange faraway land. The entire history of the entertainment industry, for the most part, has taken place in a small geographical area in and around the hills of Hollywood.

A Hierarchy

The church of media has its own leaders and people of influence. It starts with producers, directors, actors, writers, cinematographers, and so on. These people have an enormous influence on the members of the church of media. They are looked upon with great respect, and their opinions can be taken as the authority and power of a god.

The Next Step

It’s hard not to see that the church of media and entertainment functions in a similar fashion as the Church. So how do we maximize our opportunities that the media culture crisis presents? First, we must acknowledge that the media church is legitimate and does not have to pose a threat to Christianity. Not everything expressed in the media church is necessarily bad or evil. Second, we need to start a dialogue. By talking to them, we can better understand what they are seeking. Honest, two-way communication can turn a crisis into the best opportunity that Christians have in our current age.

Third, we need to find common ground. I’m sure if we understood the media culture and this new church, we would be able to discover our commonalities that can provide the basis for establishing a relationship. Finally, this relationship will enable us to foster trust that will give us access to the broader media culture. If we remain apart from the church of media and entertainment, how will we reach them? How will they discover and understand God’s truth or his plan for their lives? We have an opportunity to interact with a new generation that has embraced a lifestyle based in media, entertainment and technology.
 
We need to find common ground. I’m sure if we understood the media culture and this new church, we would be able to discover our commonalities that can provide the basis for establishing a relationship.

Paul gave us a model that follows this strategy in Acts 17:22-23. Paul traveled to Athens and recognized the legitimacy of the counsel of philosophers. He started a dialogue by saying, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown, I am going to proclaim to you.” NIV Paul started a discussion which resulted in interaction with the counsel. He did not condemn but sought common ground.

The scripture goes on to say, “for in him we live and move and exist, as one of your own poets says ‘we are his offspring’. NIV And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.” Paul was brilliant because he found common ground by acknowledging this legitimate truth. He was then able to use that to point out where the counsel of philosophers was mistaken and was then able to share with them about the one true God.

Christians today can use the same strategy that Paul has given us to engage the media culture and the media church. Romans 1:14 says, “For I have a great sense of obligation for people in our culture and to people in other cultures to the educated and uneducated alike. So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach God’s Good News.” NLT Paul went to the centers of power during his time, which included Rome and Athens. He felt an obligation to bring the Gospel to other cultures, other points of view, people with different philosophies and with a different understanding of what they consider the truth to be.

Today’s center of power is in Hollywood and the entertainment industry. We have the same opportunity in our age to engage a different culture and a different people. Our goal is to reach the church of media and entertainment. By doing so, we can affect and change the course of today’s media culture. By proclaiming the Truth, we set the stage for reestablishing the moral authority of God in our society. Christianity doesn’t have to lose its influence in the culture. We can have a positive impact on the attitudes, behaviors and beliefs for generations to come. By establishing a relationship with our culture, we will lead many to find Christ. Our opportunities are many. God is already at work. All he requires is for us to join him.