Our Focus

This blog will examine the religious community’s usage of mass media as a tool for outreach. Since the mass media is so broad my partner (W) & I (T) will focus on but not limit ourselves to the fields of broadcast television & social media.

W: My portion of the blog will explore the Christian church’s use of media broadcasting to revolutionize worldwide evangelism and the depiction of how the media interprets this practice. Currently, there is a two-fold relationship among the media and Christianity with the media having the double role of depicting the respectable virtue of Christian exploits, but also shining light on the peculiarities of faith against the norms of society.  The light of observance is not always shined in a positive view, especially in the negative or sometimes cynical interpretation of Christian leaders in television, films, and news reporting.   There are often times mutual feelings of antagonism from the Christian church in regards to the stereotypes the media project of religious leaders as money hungry vipers in tailored suits and shiny shoes taking advantage of poor parishioners who are seeking sound counsel. 

T: For my portion of the blog I will examine how the church uses the social media sites Facebook, Twitter and Youtube to reach young adults (18-26) & youth in the church as well as those in the local community.  We know the message of the church is relevant but has the church stayed up-to-date with the language and communication methods of the people in the 21^st Century. In the last few years the field of social media has grown by leaps & bounds from the delayed gratification of emails to instant messenger to virtual communities that we experience in real time.