The Media Church Part 4

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.