MEDIA, TECH AND ENTERTAINMENT: BENEFITS TO THE CHURCH

TECH REVOLUTION IN MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT: BENEFITS TO

THE CHURCH

A PRESENTATION AT ECWA UNITY CHURCH

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

MAY 2, 2023

THRUST: To understand how technology impacts the media and

entertainment (M&E) space and how the church can benefit from it.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Abbreviations
Setting the Backdrop
1. Why Care about Media & Tech?
2. Clarification of Key Concepts
a) Technology
b) Media
c) Entertainment
d) Media & Entertainment
3. The Big Story about Media & Tech
a) Agricultural Age
b) Industrial Age
c) Information Age
4. Emerging Trends in Media & Tech
a) The Present: Techno-culture
b) The Future: Metaverse
5. The New Normal: Christians and the Use of Media & Tech
a) Ethical Concerns
b) Ethical Benefits
6. To Wrap Up...
a) Personal Recommendations
b) Recommendations for Parents
c) Recommendations for the Church
d) Recommendations for Youth Ministry Groups
e) Finally...

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 List of Abbreviations

1. 5G 5th Generation Mobile Network

2. AI Artificial Intelligence
3. E-learning Electronic learning
4. ICT Information Communication Technology
5. IT Information Technology
6. M&E Media and Entertainment
7. Tech Technology
8. Techno-culture Technological Culture
9. VR Virtual Reality
10. Webinar Web-assisted seminar

Figure 1
SETTING THE BACKDROP

Technology Media and entertainment; these words belong to the class of

concepts that are commonly used, but difficult to define. To some, they are

the greatest human innovations in recent times; but others believe they are

humanity’s biggest moral and cultural setback.

I agree that everyone is entitled to their opinions, no matter how wrong.

What bothers me, though, is that most people are quick to supply answers

about this subject, without a proper understanding of the questions. It is

essential to not only memorize the answers, but understand the questions

as well. Speaking of questions, I know that some may already be

wondering why we have devoted a considerable amount of time to discuss

media and tech.

WHY CARE ABOUT MEDIA AND TECH?

1. Media & Tech immersion has reached an all-time high: Statistics have

shown that people spend an average of ten hours per day with media.

Multiply that by the number of days in a year and you would have

something around 5 months immersed in media. Many people - especially

youths - literally live their lives in their smart phones or before computer

screens; it’s the last thing they see before they sleep and the first thing

they see when they wake up. This trend is seen among the rich and the

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poor of every religion and ethnic background.

2. Media & Tech influence on youths is scary: Various agents of

socialization, which influence young people have been identified over the

years - family, peer groups, school, the workplace, religion, government,

and mass media. Here are the top institutions that influence the values

and behaviors of young people over sixty (60) years:

S/N 1960s 1980s 2000s 2020s

1 Family Friends & Peers Media & tech. Media & tech.

2 School Family Friends & Peers Friends & Peers

3 Church School/Church Family Social circles

4 Friends & Media & tech. School/Church Family

Peers

Figure 21

3. Media & tech as we know it has changed overtime: There are lots of

arguments about what constitutes media & tech. Rather than hold on to old

information and baseless arguments, it is essential to understand the media &

tech story. But before I share the story of how we got here in the media and

tech space, I will define some concepts that we will use a lot.

CLARIFICATION OF KEY CONCEPTS

Technology

The word, “technology” comes from two Greek words techne, which refers

to the art, skill or craft” for making or doing something, and logos, which

means “word, study or discourse”. From this, it can be inferred that

technology refers to “the study of the art of making things”.

Overtime, it has come to mean “the use of machines to augment

1
Adapted from Walt Mueller, Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture (Downers Grove, MI: InterVarsity Press, 2006).
While the fusion of school and church in the 1980s and 2000s was my idea, it does not deviate from Mueller’s
main intention to show how media & tech has risen to the top when it comes to influencing values and behaviors
of young people. The 2020s ranking is totally my addition.

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human and animal power, and to give greater efficiency” 2. Others have

coined other names for it called IT or ICT, which they describe as any tool

used to support information gathering, processing, distribution and use.

For the sake of our discussion, I will define technology as “any digital

tool - like smart phone, computer or the internet - designed to make life

better and work easier”.

Media

Media or mass media is the plural form of medium. In the past, “media”

simply meant the mass transmission of information using radio, television,

newspapers, books and film. Anyone seeking information, communication

or entertainment will usually go to one of these places above. Media is

generally categorized as:

1. Print: hardcopy publications for reading like: books, Comics,

pamphlets, newspapers and magazines. These were the earliest forms

of mass media.

2. Broadcast: sequenced content for distribution on particular schedule

which are usually regulated: films, radio, recorded music, or television.

3. Outdoor: Commercial information and advertising platforms like:

billboards, placards, signs, etc.

4. Digital: semi-conductors, mainframe computing, personal

computing devices: Computers, Video games (computer-controlled

games), and mobile phones, as well as a system of interconnected

computer networks like: Email, websites/blogs, internet-based radio,

television and news, as well as social media platforms. This is slowly

becoming the center of mass media.

As humans looked for alternative ways to communicate, they moved

from an oral communication, to scribal communication, to print

communication, and eventually, multimedia communication. Today, media

2
Dyrness, William A. and Velli-Matti Karkkainen, eds. Global Dictionary of Theology (Downers Grove, Illinois:
InterVarsity Press, 2008), pg 870.

4
refers to the divers forms of interactive technologies that that uses

wireless networks to reach a large audience to engage their senses and

influence their thinking. Media is no longer just a medium of

communication, it has become the message that is communicated. The

purpose of mass media goes beyond sharing news; but it broadly covers

four areas: advocacy, entertainment, education, public service

announcements. Therefore, our discussion would only center on digital

media: use of computers, smart-phones and the internet.

Entertainment

In the past, entertainment referred to any activity that provides a

diversion and allows people to amuse themselves in their leisure time; it

may also provide fun, laughter and enjoyment to people.

But today, entertainment has become a money-making industry known as

show business or show biz. This industry only concerns itself with

commercially popular arts - like theater, fashion, sports, comedy, movies

and music - promoted using various media outfits for profit. Therefore,

Media & Entertainment (M&E) refers to the money-making industry that

uses digital means to provide people with enjoyment and produce income

for investors.

If Media and entertainment refers to the industry that produces

entertainment and profits, media & tech refers to the tools used to

achieve this. Therefore, for convenience, I will lump Media &

Entertainment (M&E) together as one because of their unique relationship,

and simply refer to the concepts as Media & Tech (with entertainment

becoming one of the benefits of media and technology).

THE BIG STORY OF MEDIA & TECH

Since Genesis is the “book of beginnings”, it provides the perfect
launching pad into this discussion. Genesis 1:28 records that God created
man in his image, and instructed man to, “…be fruitful and multiply and fill
the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and

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over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on
the earth” (ESV). This has come to be known as the “Cultural Mandate” -
to take charge and take care of creation - it is repeated in Genesis 2:15,
when God put man in the Garden of Eden to “…work it and keep it” (ESV).
Over the course of history, man has sought different ways to carry out
this cultural mandate, in spite of The Fall. People learned to use various
means to survive and thrive: first Cain grew crops, while Abel reared
animals. Next, Jabal built tents and kept livestock, Jubal played the lyre
and pipes, while Tubal-Cain was a forger of all kinds of bronze and iron
instruments (Gen 4:20-22). Later, Noah built a mighty Ark as God sought
to destroy the earth (Gen 6). And after the deluge, people came together
to build the Tower of Babel, seeking to reach the heavens (Gen 11).
Eventually, language became diversified and food production
increased, wars were fought and cities were built, cultures were formed
and religious worship was instituted. All these, while trying to have
dominion over the earth, were accomplished as humanity made effort to
change the way they lived and explore improved means to aid survival.
This way, society was formed. These efforts and changes are what we now
call revolutions, and have become central to the formation of the modern
society.
The word - revolution - refers to a dramatic change (sudden, radical or
complete) which affects human life for better or worse. Revolutions have
occurred in politics, economy and religion, as well as in the field of media
& technology. In his book, The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Klaus Schwab
insists, “Revolutions have occurred throughout history when new[er]
technologies and novel ways of perceiving the world trigger a profound
change in economic systems and social structures. [However,] given that
history is used as a frame of reference, the abruptness of these changes
may take years to unfold” 3. Although the changes in technology may
appear radically new and different from societal growth, tech revolutions
have always impacted society from the dawn of human civilization to the
era of information.

There are 3 major revolutions that influenced media & tech

development:
1. The Agrarian Revolution – The Agricultural Age
2. The Industrial Revolution – The Age of Mechanical Production
3. The Information Revolution – The Digital Age

1. Agricultural Age
This is usually called the agrarian revolution. At this time, the mode of
employment was through agriculture, since most work was found on
farms or resource extraction - mining, fishing and lumbering.

3
Klaus Schwab. The Fourth Industrial Revolution.2016, pg 11

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 Communication depended on oral tradition, since only the rich were
taught to read and write, while the masses depended on observation
and storytelling (remember Moses as an Egyptian prince vs Aaron as a
Hebrew slave). In the book Media Now: Understanding Media, Culture,
and Technology, Joseph Straubhaar, Robert LaRose, and Lucider
Davenport say, “With much of the populace still illiterate, couriers
skilled at memorizing long oral messages were valuable
communication specialists”4. The kind of media used at this time could
be called folk media, since it depended on oral storytelling to convey
messages and form worldviews.

2. Industrial Age
Although the industrial revolution is said to have begun in the 1700s, to
correspond with the invention of the steam engine, what truly ushered
in the industrial revolution was the invention of the Printing Press in
Gutenberg over 250 years earlier (1455). The industrial age was a time
filled with inventions and commercial advancement (construction of
factories and railroads). The result was improved production,
transportation and communication. Interestingly, this period
overlapped with the Age of Enlightenment – a time of great knowledge
and scientific inventions – when politics, philosophy, science and
communication were radically changed. Employment was mostly
through factory work as production increased, literacy improved as
books and newspapers were printed and distributed, while formal
education was set up. Soon after, communication became easy as
telephones, radio, television and film were added to newspapers and
magazines. This transition is what led to the development of the mass
media.

3. Information (Digital) Age

If we think that the second revolution was a huge transition, the third
was a massive explosion, as society moved from buying and selling of
goods to buying and selling of information. People moved from
analogue and mechanical devices to digital technologies. This
dramatically disrupted the global industries, especially communication.
According to Schwab, “from the 1960s, our world was introduced to the
development of semi-conductors, mainframe computing, personal
computing [in 1975], as well as the internet [in 1991]; the digital
revolution had begun!”5. Electronics and information technology
brought about automated production, improved transportation, and
new ways of generating, processing and sharing information. Even the
old forms of media were upgraded: Televisions became remote
4
Joseph Straubhaar, Robert LaRose, and Lucider Davenport. Media Now: Understanding Media, Culture,
and Technology (7th edition). Cengage Learning, Canada. 2012: pg 13
5
Klaus Schwab. The Fourth Industrial Revolution.2016, pg 11

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 controlled and included cable network. Telephones became wireless
and computerized, print media became electronic, social media
became instant and global, even video games were made interactive
like movies, and the movie industry itself was completely transformed.

S/N Eras Dates Modes of Transportati Communicati Media

Production/ on on Method
Employment Modes
1 Agricultural 4000 BC Agriculture (crop Animals and Oral & Scribal Folk Me
production, beasts, road
Age animal rearing & and ships.
resource
extraction).
2 Industrial AD Agriculture & Animals and Oral, Scribal & Folk Me
Manufacturing beasts, Rail, Print Mass M
Age 1712 and road, and
ships.
3 Information AD Agriculture, Animals and Oral, Scribal, Folk Me
Manufacturing, & beasts, Rail Print & Mass M
Age 1960s Information and road, air Multimedia Inform
creation & and space, service
processing water and
submarines

Summary: Figure 36

Indeed, human life has been greatly affected by these revolutions as

production, transportation and communication have experienced dramatic
changes. These changes have impacted what we do and how we live. At
the heart of discussions around such emerging technologies, humanity
must take a moment to think critically and ask: what do we want media &
tech. to deliver for us today and in the future? But as long as humans
attempt to improve production, transportation and
communication, innovations are inevitable. All through the
revolutions, believers have been at the forefront of using it to
advance God’s kingdom. But from the age of information, church
people have now become hesitant to use it. The devil knows this,
and uses these innovations to drag people to Hell; unfortunately,
Christians ignore this and stand by to watch the church get
attacked.

6
Table was adapted from the summary diagram found in Joseph Straubhaar, Robert LaRose, and Lucider
Davenport. Media Now: Understanding Media, Culture, and Technology (7 th edition). Cengage
Learning, Canada. 2012: pg 13

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 EMERGING TRENDS IN MEDIA & TECH
Techno-culture
Techno-culture is a combination of two words, “technology” and “culture”.
It refers to a culture that is saturated and influenced by the use of
technology. Straubhaar et al add that “The long term goal of media is to
integrate many specialized channels of communication into all-purpose
digital networks that would provide access at the convenience of the
audience”7. Media convergence - the integration of mass media,
computers and telecommunications - is the new normal in this culture.
This media transformation has influenced culture, affected beliefs and
changed lifestyles. Some of the characteristics of the techno-culture, as it
relates to media include:
1. It is tech-driven: Familiar mass-media forms like - newspapers, radio,
and television are changing into, or learning to coexist with newer
forms of digital technology like the internet and social media. This
means that people are also learning to access, process and distribute
information through multiple sources, at their convenience. In the
past, content creators determined what was supplied, but today,
consumers not only what they like, but also the format they like it.
2. It is Consumer-centered: New interactive media capabilities give users
a new measure of control over what they consume - content and
channel. But this also means that those who can take advantage of
this can influence information to suit whatever they want, which gives
rise to propaganda and misinformation.
3. It is not just part of life, but is life itself: Young people are so immersed
in the media revolution, it is difficult, if not impossible to reach them
without it. Larry Rosen identifies several distinct traits of this
generation8:
a) Constant media diet
b) Adeptness at multitasking
c) Fervor for communication technologies
d) Love for virtual social worlds and anything internet-related
e) Ability to use technology to create a vast array of “content” (web
pages, videos, arts, photography, music).
f) Unique personalities (need for constant motivation, confidence,
openness to change even from right to wrong, desire to connect,
etc)
g) Unique learning styles.
4. Educators are forced to adopt appropriate teaching methods, since
their students have developed newer learning styles. Four things
characterize their learning:

7
Ibid: pg 25
8
Larry Rosen. Rewired: Understanding the iGeneration and the Way they Learn

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 a) Relevance: they are aces at “googling” and discovering
information. They do not value a piece of information for its own
sake, rather for its relevance to their lives. Trainers will find them
engaged in hands-on or application-based case studies, where new
knowledge is discovered and synthesized actively between group
members. This means that teachers are forced to teach what
students don’t know, by first proving that it is important.
b) Rationale: while the older people may respond fine to an
authoritarian teaching style, young people today were raised in a
less authoritative environment – where decisions and actions were
constantly justified and where information is readily accessible. So,
they challenge decisions and test boundaries. Flexibility and
recognizing the socio-emotional rationale behind new ideas and
processes are part of their expectations. When trainers and
instructors provide the rationale behind policies and regulations in
a learning environment, these learners are more likely to respond
positively.
c) Relaxed: They think “laid back” and informal when they think of
learning or work. They prefer a relaxed learning environment, with
minimum pressure, more freedom to complete assignments and
also more freedom for personal expression and creativity. E-
Learning course mentors need to create a warm, empathetic, “no
wrong answers” collaborative environment. Though this is
becoming problematic as a generation of idiots - ignorant and
arrogant people - are being raised.
d) Rapport:Young people thrive on personal relationships. When being
raised, they had complete attention from their parents. They are
used to older adults showing more interest in their lives. They
prefer and appreciate instructors showing a personal interest in
their training and development plans and achievement goals.
These learners also perform better at work and in the classroom
when instructors connect with them on a personal level.
Interestingly, parents today say they wish they could understand
their children better, while the children say they wish they could
understand their parents too; unfortunately, both groups seek to
understand the other by trying to make the other person
understand them.
The Metaverse
Recently, Facebook made the bold move to change names to “Meta”.
While it is partly a future dream, it is not one that we should ignore. The
word “Metaverse” comes from the prefix “meta” meaning “beyond” and
“verse” cut out from universe. Facebook, one of the leading tech
companies in the world, describe it simply as, “a set of virtual spaces
where you can create and explore with other people who aren’t in the

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same physical space as you.”

Imagine a world where you don’t need Zoom to hold a virtual meeting;
instead, you can all meet in a virtual space to interact. This means you no
longer have to browse on your computer or smart phone, but can actually
enter and live inside them. This is the future of media & tech. Mark
Zuckerberg’s video on the Metaverse sheds light on this phenomenon.
The result of this is advancement in various aspects of life:
1. Production: this is greatly multiplied, since machines will do all the
work of humans. But even reproduction will experience a drastic
change as humans become more machine and machines become
more human.
2. Communication: barriers are broken; so, people do not only have to
see or hear, they can also feel; this is because all their sense organs
can now be used.
3. Transportation: we used to celebrate instant communication; we can
now enjoy instant transportation, as people can travel through time
and space. The idea of teleportation is not simply an idea.
4. Education: people no longer have to memorize and remember; they
can simply experience. Instead of reading about the II World War, you
can travel through time to see it unfold before your eyes.

THE NEW NORMAL: CHRISTIANS AND THE USE OF MEDIA & TECH
There are three theological positions on ICT (media and tech) Use:
a) The Pessimistic View: The first view states that ICT is a system of
moral degeneration.
b) The Optimistic View: These ones see ICT as a blessing
c) The Cautious View: views ICT as a tool that is open to endless
possibilities and potentials, but which must be approached with utmost
caution and carefulness.
Ethical Benefits

1. Giving Voice to the Voiceless: it shines the spotlight on the masses and
the marginalized, as people are able to express views publicly.
Freedom of communication is truly seen.
2. Effective and Wider Communication: the world has slowly been
transformed into a global village, as information and communication
flow continue, in spite of distance. It’s easy to connect and reconnect
with family, friends and acquaintances, and also forge new
relationships globally. Everyone wants to belong to the virtual
community.
3. Diffusion of Diverse Cultures: mass media plays a major part in
spreading arts and culture to every nook and cranny of the world.
Now, anyone can learn anything, from anywhere.

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4. Encyclopedia of Information: ranging from research, news, global and
local data, to employment personnel information and series of
information are just a click away (access to gigabytes in seconds). The
boundaries of parental guidance and watchful caution have been
broken because of social media.
5. Collaboration and Resources: the ability to work together while being
separate has turned an oxymoron into a reality (being together while
being separate). From online giving, fund-raising, and need awareness,
financial support can have few boundaries. Marketing has also been
made a lot easier. People can study and learn; they can hold meetings
and plan events through the media. In fact, social media even suggest
groups and friends for people based on their interests and activities.
6. Privacy/Anonymity: people can now meet without meeting; but people
can also communicate without being known. Social media makes it
possible for people to enjoy privacy as they do whatever they want.
Social media creates a virtual community where no one is necessarily
seen.

Ethical Concerns
Some general problems include ease of spreading fake news,
compromised privacy, increased health problems, glamorizing of censored
content/ topics, possibility of fraud and hacking.
1. Personal Issues
a) Addictions: addictive behaviors are possible due to media use.
Such addictive behaviors include pornography, gambling
(BetNaija), gaming, etc. But more than that, it creates a generation
completely dependent on technology; hence damages are done to
the brain, leading to health problems. Also, people’s IQ continue to
drop due to their dependence on digital devices; so, we see lots of
smart phones and televisions, but dumb people.
b) Time Mismanagement: the media is an excellent time waster, since
long hours of the day are spent on mostly nothing important.
Naturally, people have become lazier by the day. Remember the
song by Bruno Mars (The Lazy Song)? From binge watching TV
shows, to scrolling through social media platforms, the average
teenager is becoming an introvert, by default.
c) Narcissism and Fantasy: love for self-increases (self-crush) and
people present flattering images of themselves to gain
acceptance. They judge this acceptance by the number of likes,
follows, tweets/retweets, shares, comments their posts get. Most of
this is a result of following celebrity crushes and online role
models.
d) Multitasking dilemma: while it presents the opportunity for
multitasking, it reduces productivity and limits attention span. You

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 can actually achieve more chatting with one person at a time on
WhatsApp than chatting with many at once on Facebook,
WhatsApp, Instagram, etc. And there’s more to learn from one
show at a time, than multiple.
e) Broken boundaries: there is a lack of guidance on the content of
posts (images, conversations or experiences). Sadly, the media
creates a false sense of courage, since many people become
better at communicating online than in real life.
f) Dissatisfaction: while the individual may spend long hours
chatting, posting, updating, or viewing, he/she is left lonely; hence,
envy and jealousy comes from watching the social relevance of
other people’s lives. While the media seeks to connect people, it
has made people more separate than ever (anti-social network).
2. Relational Issues
a) Redefinition of friendship: the term friend has evolved. There is a
lot of online activity but little intimacy. People willingly trade the
depth of genuine relationships with shallow connectivity. It fails to
make real friendship, fellowship and community a reality.
b) Cyber bullying and Savagery: people have become intentional in
carrying out evil and bent on ruining others on social media.
Gossip spreads fast, blackmail is at its peak, slander is trending
and coarse jokes are acceptable. Sadly, people don’t know that
their social activities can mar or make their reputation before
people for life and affect their desirability personally or
professionally.

3. Ministry Issues
a) Christian witness: Social media can provide a hyper-public forum
that can easily be forgotten all the while presenting a witness
counterproductive to a demonstration of the character of Christ in
us and in our ministry.
b) Minors online: Under-aged people now have access to censored
content from movies and social media, and are left exposed at an
early age.
c) Content: people have slowly become more interested in shallow,
funny or enjoyable posts over deep, reflective and critical ones. It
seems difficult to pass important godly information without the use
of pictures, videos or several catch phrases. It’s becoming
impossible for people to read long posts.
TO WRAP UP...

Personal Recommendation
Develop Media Literacy - Media Deconstruction

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 A basic media literacy skill is called “deconstruction”. This is the careful
and close analysis of a piece of media content, looking beneath the
surface – the characters, plot, language, etc. – to understand its deeper
meaning. Whether it’s a sitcom or video clip, billboard ad or TV
commercial, music video or magazine cover, blog or social media platform,
media can be deconstructed.
Media literate people understand that television is constructed to
convey ideas, information and news from someone else’s perspective.
They understand that specific techniques are used to create emotional
effects. They can identify those techniques and their intended actual
effects. They are aware that all media benefit some people and leave
others out. They can pose and sometimes answer questions about who are
the beneficiaries, who is left out and why. Media literate people seek
alternative sources of information and entertainment. Media
literate people use television for their own advantage and enjoyment.
Media literate people know how to act. They are not acted upon. In that
way, media literate people are better citizens. 9
Although there is no single “correct” way to deconstruct media, we can
use our understanding of scripture and Christian practices over the years
to determine what is appropriate, and what is not. CML’s Five Key Question
and Core Concepts for Producers and Consumers provides a simple
framework for deconstructing media.
Media Construction/ Deconstruction Framework: authorship, format,

audience, content, & purpose.

S/ Key Words Deconstruction (CML 5 CML’s 5 Core Construction (CML

N Key Questions for Concepts 5 Key Questions
Consumers) (Rationale) for Producers)
1 Authorshi Who created/ paid for this All media What am I
message? And Why? messages are authoring? And
p
constructed by why?
someone
2 Format What creative techniques Media messages Does my message
were used to attract my are constructed reflect
attention? using a creative understanding in
language with its format, creativity
own rule. and technology?
3 Audience How might different people Different people Is my message
understand this message experience the engaging and
differently? same media compelling for my
message target audience?

9
Kipping, P. “Media Literacy – An Important Strategy for Building Peace” in Peace Magazine. Toronto, Canada:
1989

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 differently.
4 Content What values, lifestyles, and Media have Have I clearly and
(obvious points of views are embedded values consistently framed
and represented or omitted and points of values, lifestyles,
hidden) from this message? view. This is and points of view in
where movies can my content?
shape culture.
5 Purpose Why is this message being Most media Have I
sent? In what ways is this a messages are communicated my
healthy/unhealthy organized to gain purpose
message? profit, prestige effectively?
How should Christians and/or power
respond to this content?
Recommendations for Parents

1. Talk about media messages as a family of faith: this remains the best way
to help your child navigate the world of media and movies, but anchor
your discussions on scripture, not personal opinions. For example, if your
child likes video games like Grand Theft Auto, you have an opportunity to
talk about what scripture teaches about violence, exploitation of women
and criminal activity. If they like beauty and fashion on YouTube, you have
the opportunity to talk about how modesty should guide product
advertising.
2. Encourage children to question correctly: teach them to use their media
literacy skills to ask questions about movies, music, celebrities, etc, so
that they can choose correctly. This way, they do not end up as
consumers of culture, but drivers of culture. This way, they will develop a
healthy attitude towards media use, interpreting news, and engaging
people.
3. Support their desire to pursue careers in the various mountains of
influence: Understand that being doctors, lawyers, architects, etc is the
new side hustle, the main hustle is now music and film, media analyst,
web design and computer engineering, fashion and beauty, etc. But the
best form of support is to nurture them to become godly, so they can also
thrive anywhere! Do not raise children and hand them over to Satan.
4. Invest in collaborative parenting: Truth is that we don’t parent alone, so
there are other godly parents we can work with to stay accountable and
strong. Also, the goal is not simply to have good children, but godly
communities.
Recommendations for the Church

1. Encourage viewing of Christian movies in church: seeing movies as a

large group has proven to be such a powerful way of fellow-shipping and
nurturing the community of faith. Heb 10:25 talks about believers

15
 meeting together, but movies can be one of the things enjoyed when
people gather.
2. Invest in Media, learn from professionals: sometimes, a church YouTube
page doesn’t grow, not because the content is bad, but because the way
it is presented is not appealing. While we may not be trying to beat the
world, we can learn a thing or two about excellence. ECWA TV quickly
comes to mind.
3. Explore using Film to document: while churches wrestle to convey
concepts like spiritual growth, temptation, sin or the power of God, film
offers the perfect platform to illustrate these. Passion of the Christ
remains a classic, but there aren’t many others like it. Also, there are
important historic accomplishments that can be documented through film.
4. Adopt residential trainings for youths: in this busy world, bringing youths
together for a fixed time has proven to be valuable. It strengthens bonds,
provides room for vulnerability and accountability, and it also equips
youths for ministry.

Recommendations for Youth Ministry Groups

1. Trying to beat the world at it’s own game is a lost battle: remember that
the church will never be as entertaining as the world; so, movies, fun and
games should not become the ministry; rather, they should be tools for
ministry. We would always dominate the world by teaching faith, hope and
love to young people.
2. Youths are not stupid; so, stop thinking they cannot be challenged: with so
much information available in the world, young people are challenged
intellectually everywhere except in church. Do not dumb down what you
teach because you think they won’t understand it. They are capable of
understanding theological truth; so provide a steady diet of rich
expository Bible teaching (2 Tim. 4:2). Indeed, youths need more theology
than technology!
3. If you fail to do anything else, at least, teach young people to accurately
define the gospel and personally decide to accept it: you cannot
guarantee much about youths, but you should not fail to let youths
understand the basics of our faith (Rom 1:16). Creatively explain the
gospel to young people and trust God to convict them.Teach them to
know what and why they believe, teach them to boldly proclaim it.
4. Youth ministry has to take an apologetic turn for more young people to be
reached: since the world has become a marketplace of ideas, do not
assume that your child believes in Jesus simply because they participate
in morning devotions, attend church and are involved in the youth
ministry (1 Pet 3:15). Many of them are simply being respectful. In fact, I
suggest that you should begin with the assumption that your child does
not believe in God till they show a consistent personal walk with Him.

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5. Equip young people to serve the church now: youths are not leaders of
tomorrow; they are leaders, period! And if Ephesians 4:13 is anything to
go by, young people should be taught to discover and use their gifts now.
That way, the body of Christ will grow.
6. Take some of your engagements to social media: for whatever reason,
young people will rather post about a family problem on Facebook than
hold an actual conversation. And others will rather chat virtually about
what they are feeling, than meet face-to face. If you fail to provide the
online social interaction, you might miss many.
7. Youth ministry is eternally significant work: every day God brings young
people your way, know that you are participating in shaping the eternal
destiny of a human being (2 Timothy 2:2). This is not something you
should see as small work. Youth ministry is not a stop-gap position for
aspiring pastors, teachers or missionaries; so, quit now, if you do not love
young people enough to come alongside them in this faith journey. Youth
ministry is a specialized ministry to young people; so, do not belittle the
youth worker. People are quick to think that the pediatrician is not a real
doctor, till their child has a medical emergency!
Finally...
The nature of the times cannot be overlooked, but the need of this
generation must be taken into consideration. The media is powerful; but
with great power comes great responsibility. It has some good additions to
the growth of human relationships, but it has costly implications that we
need to be careful about.
However, the question is not whether or not we should use the media;
it has come to stay… but as Christians, we need to come up with ways of
using it right without abusing it. The following thoughts from Philippians
2:1-4 and 4:8 present the mindset for media use (especially social media):
1. Our encouragement should come from being united with Christ, not
any media platform. The most important relationship we have is the
one with Jesus, not any friend on any media platform. They can
snitch on us, he never does.
2. Our comfort comes from his love, not any social media like or share.
Media relevance should not determine how our self-esteem is
formed. Jesus loves you, and he’s never going to be fake or savage
with you.
3. Fellowship and community should exist with the spirit; it should be
marked by tenderness, compassion, oneness in spirit and purpose.
Whatever activity we engage in should be done out of reverence for
God and guided by his spirit (1 Cor. 10:31). Our posts are a
reflection of who we are…
4. Let humility be seen in our social interactions, not selfish ambition
or vain conceit. Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking
off yourself less. Love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:37-40).

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5. Look not only to your own interest, but to the interest of others.
Think of how your posts affect others. What kind of posts are on
your Timeline? (Eph. 4:29).
6. Learn from Christ; he’s the master of human relations. Seek to
represent Christ through your social media interactions.
7. Think about your thoughts
a. Content: post because you have something to say, not
because you have to say something. Make sure your post is
accurate and relevant.
b. Appropriateness: never post illegal or obscene information.
Remember, what is written privately is extremely public.
Social media is not your punching bag, don’t use it to air your
frustrations (be careful what you write when you’re happy or
sad).
c. Social connection/community: social media should not
replace true and real friendship, fellowship and community.
Actually, social media thrives because genuine relationships
have failed. Seek to build genuine one-on –one relationship
with people.
d. Boundaries: monitor your social behaviors (it’s easy to move
towards abuse). Restrict online activities at early mornings
and late evenings. Practice social media Sabbaths (deliberate
abstinence from time to time.

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