Media That Makes a Difference
From SPARK
The goal of our work is to see God's message impact the hearts and lives of people in a way that brings positive and permanent change. In order for this to happen, God's message must be communicated to people in a way that is understandable, acceptable in their culture, has meaning for their lives and is easy for them to use regularly. Using different forms of media can help to accomplish this.
Within each culture and situation there are several things to think about when choosing which method will be most effective to communicate God’s message. Each situation will have barriers to overcome and bridges that can be used. Things to think about include: the audience, the communication style, the topic, the type of media, religious practice, political situation and location.
Audience and Communications Styles
In many cultures around the world people need or prefer to use oral styles of communication. Reading the printed page is not how they learn, teach or pass on important information. Oral communication styles include music, singing, drama, story telling, dialogue, testimonies, poetry, chants and others. Each culture has its own specific ways of communicating that have been used for generations. These familiar traditional styles will communicate God’s message in a way that does not seem foreign. It will be more acceptable and understanding will be increased.
Topic
The topic presented or discussed should be meaningful to the lives of the people who will hear or see it. Bible stories and Scripture portions should be connected to the daily problems, needs and concerns of the people. In this way they will see that God’s message has something to say about the problems, challenges and experiences in their life and can help them.
Type of Media
It is important to first look at the local community to see which types of media are already being used. It is good to use a type of media that is familiar to the people. Media that is not familiar may distract people from the message from God. It is also important that the equipment needed can be bought, repaired or replaced in the local community and can be operated by local people.
Religious practice, political situation and location
Media can communicate in a non-threatening way and can be used privately. This is often needed where the established religion is resistant to Christianity. Different media types can bridge political barriers and reach remote areas in sensitive political situations or remote locations.
The type of media to use to communicate God’s message is an important decision. Look at and think about these things you have just read. It will help you to choose the type of media and the communication styles that will communicate God’s message in a way that truly brings change to hearts and lives.
