As I go through the process of applying to another school, the question of "what are your career goals" comes up time and time again, though often it is heard in the "what do you want to do with your life" cliche question. I get it from family, friends, mentors, admissions workers, and so on. And the problem is I don't really have an answer.
The only thing that begins to resemble an answer to that question is the vision I have for churches in America. But let me first state why this has become such a strong vision of mine...
I get so frustrated when I look at most churches in America because one of two things seem to happen in regards to using media:
1) They don't even bother using media as a resource because that's too much of a slippery slope. They'd rather avoid using it than having to be intentional about where their focus is.
OR
2) They bring media into the church, it works so well that they use it even more, and they get to the point where they couldn't function without it. Sadly I see some churches getting to the point where they could easily do without Scripture before they could do without media. And that breaks my heart even more.
This saddens me. I really do not think media and Scripture contradict each other at all. So why is it that churches can't seem to have both? Media happens to be the way our future generations are inspired, communicated to, and entertained. Whether you agree with it or not, you cannot hide the fact that our society is becoming (if not there already) dependent upon visual and social media. My question is...why on earth isn't the church capitalizing on that?!
There is so much *junk* out there in media form and it's spreading because visual media intrigues our society! Why don't we have the churches seeing this as a problem and doing something to counteract it? Sorry folks, banning media is not counteracting it. That's just ignoring the problem. It's existence is there either way. Wouldn't it be in the church's best interest to use this powerful communication tool to showcase God's glory?
I just have this vision that a Bible centered church can actually exist with media as a huge form of communication/illustration without getting trapped into focusing on the result rather than the message. (I know, I'm crazy for having such a preposterous vision...but I do.)
So far I haven't been shown that my vision is even remotely possible. Actually, I've mostly been shown how my vision seems to be impossible. But I don't see why.
I want to show the world that media can coexist with a God centered church. Because, believe it or not, media can actually be used to glorify God without having to go overboard. Maybe someday it will just come down to the "if you want it done properly, do it yourself" approach. And if I have to be a part of pioneering a church that has that mindset in order for one to exist...I would be okay with that.
I often wonder if that's one of the reasons I somehow ended up at PBU. Coming to PBU has most importantly given me this need for a Scripture-centered church. I absolutely cannot be satisfied with a church that simply adds Scripture to a message. I need something deeper and more focused than that. I need a church that looks at Scripture and goes "Here's God's message!" rather than the church that knows what they want to say and simply goes "Okay, what Scripture backs up my point?"
But at the same time, God has so clearly given me this love and talent (somewhat mediocre, but talent nonetheless) for media, film, graphic design, and all the digital world has to offer. I see the importance and the influence of it as a communication tool. I see the huge impact it can have on our world. And yet I sit in wonder at why Christians aren't using it.
When you combine that love for media and that foundation of Scripture together, what you get is my vision. My vision of a God-centered church recognizing the influence media can have when used for the true purpose and intent of glorifying God.
Be in the world and use the resource of media, but don't focus on the media itself. Rather, focus on glorifying God through the media.
So what do I actually want do do for a career? I have no idea. All I know is my vision and what I want to see happen. And what I want to see is a church that is using media in a powerful and yet appropriate way. Maybe that means creating my vision will be my career, maybe not. All I know is what I want to see happen, not necessarily what I actually want to pursue as a career.
That is my vision, and this is my voice sharing that vision with you.
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Sidenote: if you know of any churches that are living out my vision, please let me know. It truly would encourage me.
Good analysis. Here's an article about technology in the church. You can add it to your reading list. http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2007/summer/1.28.html