Role of Media in the ‘Great Commission’
Role of Media in the ‘Great Commission’
The train was chugging along as I sat with a magazine in hand. Suddenly I heard my neighbor who said “excuse me sir, can I borrow the magazine”. I happily gave the magazine and then began to observe the rest of the passengers. Almost all of them had a newspaper or magazine and were engrossed in their reading. I vividly remembered my travels during childhood. There were loud conversations among the passengers on most occasions. Comparatively now the railway coach was quieter with more people reading. It reminded me of the fact that the literacy rate has increased considerably.
Missions and churches have always focused on serving the illiterates which was good. But the need for quality, contemporary and contextualized literature for the literates has been ignored. The variety of newspapers and magazines being published in India in several regional languages is mind boggling. India has the largest English speaking population in the world and Indians spend more hours reading than anybody else in the world. We have not produced quality literature for the open market while the commercial publishers have gone on haunting the public with astonishing and innovative literature. Why can’t our publications be made available in Railway Stations, Airports, Bus Stations and other book stores? Indian origin authors are winning international literary awards while there is very little done to encourage Indian writers of evangelistic literature. Professional Christian journalists & writers in the mass media need to be encouraged by the church.
When I see huge advertisement hoardings, watch a TV serial, or listen to the FM radio, I am disturbed that we are way behind in using the media to communicate the life transforming message of Jesus. India has the second largest number of Television Channels and viewers. The influence of media on the society is much more than we can imagine especially with the latest technology. The print media, television news, soap operas, talk shows, FM Radios, Bollywood movies, mobile phones and internet are some of the media which has been used effectively by people to shape public opinion on many issues. We need to use multiple media to promote the values & teachings of Jesus Christ to a captivating audience through ordinary real life stories and fictions. Christians & Mission agencies should actively commission creative media projects that will impact the masses. Churches must encourage its young people to be trained as film and video producers, directors, script writers, actors, anchors and VJs serving the media spreading the values of Jesus Christ.
God took the initiative to communicate with us. He spoke and the world was created. His word became flesh to redeem the world. This is the Good News. We are commissioned to communicate this Good News. We need to take the initiative to be creative in using all the media for His glory!
John Amalraj
© 2008, INFOCUS, Interserve India
The train was chugging along as I sat with a magazine in hand. Suddenly I heard my neighbor who said “excuse me sir, can I borrow the magazine”. I happily gave the magazine and then began to observe the rest of the passengers. Almost all of them had a newspaper or magazine and were engrossed in their reading. I vividly remembered my travels during childhood. There were loud conversations among the passengers on most occasions. Comparatively now the railway coach was quieter with more people reading. It reminded me of the fact that the literacy rate has increased considerably.
Missions and churches have always focused on serving the illiterates which was good. But the need for quality, contemporary and contextualized literature for the literates has been ignored. The variety of newspapers and magazines being published in India in several regional languages is mind boggling. India has the largest English speaking population in the world and Indians spend more hours reading than anybody else in the world. We have not produced quality literature for the open market while the commercial publishers have gone on haunting the public with astonishing and innovative literature. Why can’t our publications be made available in Railway Stations, Airports, Bus Stations and other book stores? Indian origin authors are winning international literary awards while there is very little done to encourage Indian writers of evangelistic literature. Professional Christian journalists & writers in the mass media need to be encouraged by the church.
When I see huge advertisement hoardings, watch a TV serial, or listen to the FM radio, I am disturbed that we are way behind in using the media to communicate the life transforming message of Jesus. India has the second largest number of Television Channels and viewers. The influence of media on the society is much more than we can imagine especially with the latest technology. The print media, television news, soap operas, talk shows, FM Radios, Bollywood movies, mobile phones and internet are some of the media which has been used effectively by people to shape public opinion on many issues. We need to use multiple media to promote the values & teachings of Jesus Christ to a captivating audience through ordinary real life stories and fictions. Christians & Mission agencies should actively commission creative media projects that will impact the masses. Churches must encourage its young people to be trained as film and video producers, directors, script writers, actors, anchors and VJs serving the media spreading the values of Jesus Christ.
God took the initiative to communicate with us. He spoke and the world was created. His word became flesh to redeem the world. This is the Good News. We are commissioned to communicate this Good News. We need to take the initiative to be creative in using all the media for His glory!
John Amalraj
© 2008, INFOCUS, Interserve India
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