This is a bland title. History is a study of the passing of time. Historians are those who interpret this passing of time and present their findings either in journals written or spoken word. This requires research, hours and hours in archives among the documents or perhaps some travel to the places of interest if a study proposal yields the grant money.
Media is media. They are the ones on hand while history is being made. For most of them travel is a way of life, usually with large expense accounts, to report about the action wherever it is and telling the story as it happens. Media offerings, whether with headlines, regular features or editorials, develop a personality, an attitude or a theme which subscribers will turn to (CNN or Fox News? Not everybody has the same preference). “As it Happens,” a CBC program, is good example of unique stories mixed with entertainment, which is why it is surviving the test of time.[i] Indeed, media are the ones telling us about world conditions, of politicians and countries, creating a theme which may or may not be accurate, but they are 'the news.' So the title may be bland, but stay tuned, the content is newsy.
In contrast to the historians' scholarly contribution, the media are our contemporaries; people doing their jobs with skills required to do
it in a smooth, interesting and convincing manner. Inner convictions may be optional but do show up in their performance -
their account of what’s going on. Excellent presenters will do better because
their words will match the persona. Inner consistency communicates. The ones
who can do this best, whether newscasters, writers, editors, etc. are the ones
who become successful in their careers. It may be possible to fool the public –
for a while. Forest fires or political headlines or sports broadcasts (along
with advertising) can be provided by either entertainers or experts. Time will
tell; careers are developed, demographics change, seasons come, seasons go.
True
also for those who either choose or are called into Christian ministry. I say
‘call’ because this is a deeper reach into that inner consistency (conviction)
that makes for good communication. A recent magazine article by one of our
local pastors makes a related point. It is his article which got my thinker going on similarities of preachers and media! Caleb Kowalko [ii] writes about inspiration, citing a
contemporary appetite for inspiring sermons. This may be a hubris for
preachers, he says. “Words of a sermon should carry a greater responsibility
than to fill up the inspirational tank.” I agree with him. Important as
inspiration is, preachers have a responsibility to convey an inner message,
even if not inspirational. Preach the word; be prepared in season
and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and
careful instruction (2 Timothy 4:2). “After all”, says Kowalko, “they are words intended to mingle
with eternity, to witness to the truth, to expound upon the word of God.”
Even as I affirm the perspective of this young pastor, I must also
acknowledge that my linking of pastors with media is a bit of a stretch. The
stretch is in the reality that pastors (faith leaders if you will) are living
and doing their work from a vantage that is indeed beyond the career (Some pastors need to be reminded of this). “Call” is more than a career. In my faith community, the Mennonites, this understanding of Call has its beginning among the Anabaptists of the sixteenth century
Reformation, Christians who claimed their ultimate authority is within the gathered
group. “For
where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). Modern day Anabaptist leaders are still
ordained by virtue of that discerned call from among the people, rather than appointment
from an outside authority. By their message and by their leadership giftedness
they may gather listeners and followers, but this dare not be mere lectures or Ted
Talks or political or social education, no matter how interesting they may be.
Good sermons may or may not enhance the career.
Now a concluding thought - kind of an afterthought!😏 I just said the linking of pastors and media is a stretch. Perhaps I need to modify a bit - at least from the vantage of my faith community where the preacher's position and message comes from within - never a position of authority but a position of service. From our vantage therefore, media and preachers are in a similar state these days! Reports or speeches by members of the media and sermons or lessons by preachers have fairly equal risks or possibilities, especially in today's instantaneous digitalized world. Reporters who run afoul of a desired party line may risk their careers or livelihood, similar to preachers' longtime experience. Not only do populations and preferences change, but also the political environment. Us post World War II baby boomers, whether secular or religious, have grown up living the good life, full freedom of political or religious opinion. My above comments about careers obviously from that vantage. Times do change, however, as one of our fellow good-lifers Bob Dylan crooned once upon a time. Some of the most recent world political events might suggest we're back into the time when Jesus walked among Romans and Samaritans and Jews, democracy an unknown entity in those days. The good life was not a guarantee for Jesus followers. Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34).
Today's preachers have a responsibility to be 'in there' as participants in all topics and events. Media people face similar career (or life) risks. To all my preacher and media friends, pay much attention to the inner voice. Your understanding and experience of God must be the message, whether inspiring or not. It may or may not be well received by the authorities or the fan base or in the historical documents. Regardless of historical record, inner consistency is essential whatever the risk, for the preacher and the media and the gathered community.
Teach
me, O Lord Thy way of truth.[iii]
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[i] As it Happens is
a Canadian Interview show that airs on CBC Radio One in Canada and various
public radio stations in the United States through Public Radio Exchange. It’s
fiftieth Anniversary was celebrated on-air on November 16, 2018. Source:
Wikipedia.
[ii] Caleb Kowalko, “Beyond Inspiration,” Canadian Mennonite, Vol 29, Issue 2, February, 2025, p.7.
[iii] Based on Psalm
119:33, Hymnal: A Worship Book (Scottdale, PA: Mennonite
Publishing House, 1992), #487.
